We really didn’t expect to like this show. Not even a little. The original Hitchcock film stands on its own (Yes we’re well aware of Robert Bloch’s source material, but come on: Hitchcock’s Psycho is the best-remembered horror film of its generation, for good reason.); the sequels have been notable only in their astonishing mediocrity, even when Anthony Perkins was involved (not his fault!), and the remake with Vince Vaughn…well, it’s best that we never mention the remake with Vince Vaughn, isn’t it?

Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore Bates Motel

So when the series idea was first announced, the notion of some kind of ‘prequel’ just sounded…well, awful. So imagine our surprise when the look was great, the writing clever and intriguing, and the performances by everyone, especially the astonishing Freddie Highmore and the impossibly perfect Vera Farmiga were just…right.

It’s been far too long, but finally the Bates Motel is reopening. Expect it at 9:00 pm on A&E on March 7. And if the trailer below is even half-true, we’re in for another darkly wonderful season.