We meet young Norman (Freddie Highmore) in the midst of a family tragedy. His mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) copes by selling the family home and relocating to a ramshackle small town motel, intent upon a fresh start for herself and her son. Before long, Norman has been pounced on by the local popular girls, Norma has crossed paths with the disgruntled former owner of the motel, and mother and son are clashing about extra-curriculars, parties and chores.

And if that all sounds a little humdrum, worry not – before the credits roll on this first episode, Bates Motel has chalked up a couple of dead bodies, multiple pesky bloodstains, one creepy notebook, two suspicious cops and what looks like a serial killer. Fun for all the family, in other words.

Though that might all sound a little convoluted, perhaps the most confusing thing about Bates Motel is its tone. It’s probably around ten minutes into this first episode before you remember you aren’t watching a period piece. Perhaps in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, the makers have chosen to straddle the contemporary setting – with all its house parties and texting – with flourishes of the 1960 film. Norma is styled as though she’s just walked off Mad Men, while the house itself could be a set from a Victorian ghost story. Against this, Norman’s high school woes, trendy jumpers and brand new iPod are really quite jarring.

Luckily there’s no shortage of things going on to keep you entertained – indeed, there are enough supporting characters with mysterious motives to prop up an episode of Marple. But it’s undeniable that all that made the original film so shocking when it was released is par for the course when it comes to mainstream TV these days.

Ultimately, what this series really has going for it is not the bloodshed but the investment in the characters. Bates Motel works best, and is really fairly successful, when thought of as a mystery that poses the simple question: how did Norman Bates come to be this way? And really, whether or not you think that knowing such a thing enhances your experience of the original film, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t just a bit curious.

Episode 1 airs at 9pm on Thursday 12 September 2013 on Universal Channel.

> Order Season 1 on DVD on Amazon.

Watch the trailer…