My TV Fortnight

Since I was a child I’ve had a fascination with all things frightening and creepy (think Count Dracula and demons from the eternal pit rather than Eamon Dunphy in drag there, folks). For years I’ve been thrilled and terrified in equal measure by macabre tales told via-the medium of film, novels and comic books. In recent times, the humble tellybox has also become relied upon to provide solid instalments of spooky stories. And this rekindled love affair between horror and the small screen has yielded some pretty spectacular results, I have to say.

Though I am still currently mourning the end of the sublime, Jessica Lange-led American Horror Story: Coven, the present mainstream fascination with the darker side of life means that there have been plenty of programmes to keep me contented while I wait for the Hallowe’en debut of Freak Show, the fourth chapter of the series. One of those shows is Bates Motel on Universal.

Telling the story of a teenage Norman Bates and his mother Norma (altogether now- “MOTHERRRRRR!!”), series two of this prequel to the Hitchcock film Psycho has just started and I’ve been soaking up every minute of this diabolically good drama. Set in modern America, it’s a dark love story between two psychologically damaged characters. One of my favourite things about the programme is the handling of future serial killer Bates’ origin: we’re not quite certain if Norman has always been, well, a psycho, or if his mother made him this way. At least not at first anyway....

Speaking of Norman’s dear old ma, Vera Farmiga lights up the screen as the misguided, occasionally mental Norma. In some ways, Bates Motel is her show as she steals every scene she’s in. Despite playing a character with more problems than Jay Z (yes, that would be 100 or so), Farmiga makes her sympathetic and funny and thanks to her performances you almost forgive her controlling, borderline incestuous ways. With a third series already confirmed (sorry, I still can’t quite bring myself to use the American “season”), it’s looks like Bates Motel will be open for business across the next few years. Can’t wait to see where it all leads.

Just as I was welcoming a new show through the doors of Castle McFee this fortnight, I have also been bidding one adieu. Fox’s The Walking Dead shambled to a close recently and while some have been moaning louder than the titular cadavers over the final episode of series four, I must admit I’ve enjoyed the continuing journey of Rick, Michonne et al.

Admittedly part of that reason is due to a feeling of loyalty for the source material, ie the Image comic penned by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Charlie Adlard. I’ve been reading the book since my brother handed me the first issue 10 years ago (it’s now valued at $10,000 and yes, I am insanely envious over this matter), and although the mainstream success of the TV translation has surprised and slightly bewildered me, it does my cold, black heart good to see a then unknown comic become a pop culture phenomenon.

But back to the TV show. After weathering the storm that was series two (seriously, if Rick’s son Carl had followed orders and never the left the house I swear nothing would have happened during the 13 episodes other than farmer Hershel licking his lips a lot and talking about the Baby Jesus), the fourth instalment has been an enjoyable affair. Informed by the source material more than ever, I liked getting to know some of the group of survivors a little better and without spoiling anything for those who haven’t watched the final episode yet, all I’ll say is let’s just hope Rick Grimes’ gang hasn’t eaten the meat at Terminus by the time we rejoin them for series four.