‘Bates Motel’ Season 5, Episode 1 Spoilers: “Dark Paradise” – Freddie Highmore’s Norman Returns Two Years Following Failed Murder-Suicide; Rihanna’s Marion to Die?

‘Bates Motel’ season 5’s episode 1, titled “Dark Paradise,” is set to feature the return of Freddie Highmore’s Norman Bates two years after his failed murder-suicide. Meanwhile, executive producer Ehrin Kerry remains vague on the fate of Rihanna’s Marion Crane.

The brief synopsis of “Dark Paradise” posted on TV Guide reads, “In the Season 5 premiere, a troubling discovery surfaces and Dylan (Max Thieriot) and Emma (Olivia Cooke) get a surprise guest.”

The fifth and final season of the horror-drama television series is set to feature the return of Freddie Highmore as the main character Norman Bates and will follow his life following the death of his mother Norma, portrayed by Vera Farmiga.

It seems that the premiere is set to begin with a shocking discovery, although this remains to be known considering the vague details provided by the episode synopsis. Norman is set to return to the small screen nearly two whole years after his failed murder-suicide. He seems to be living a well-adjusted and even happy life in White Pine Bay.

However, darkness still lurks behind his unusually cheery exterior as revealed in promotional photographs and videos released by A&E. Norman continues to feed his delusions by hiding his dead mother’s rotting corpse in a basement. It was also revealed that his murderous alter-ego “Mother” will consume him completely sooner or later.

The series will bring in new characters including Sam (Austin Nichols) and Madeleine Loomis (Isabelle McNally), and Sheriff Dana Greene (Brooke Smith). It will also introduce Emmy award-winning Barbadian singer-songwriter and actress Rihanna as the unforgettable ‘Psycho’ character Marion Crane, famously portrayed by Janet Leigh.

According to Entertainment Weekly, it remains unclear whether Rihanna’s version of Marion will suffer the same fate as her 1960s counterpart, specifically in the iconic shower scene murder.

Executive producer Kerry Ehrin expressed her excitement at Rihanna’s involvement during a previous interview. Ehrin also teased, “Is there a shower scene? All I can tell you is that we pulled Psycho into Bates Motel, not vice-versa. That was always the goal and the fun of it. You will have to watch and find out!”

‘Bates Motel’ season 5’s episode 1, titled “Dark Paradise,” is scheduled to return to A&E on February 20, 2017. It will be followed by episode 2, titled "The Convergence of the Twain," scheduled to be released on February 27.

The psychological horror-drama television series was developed by Carlton Cuse, Anthony Cipriano, and Kerry Ehrin based on the characters from the novel ‘Psycho’ authored by Robert Bloch. It is referred as a contemporary take on the prequel story of the 1960 full-feature film ‘Psycho’ directed by Alfred Hitchcock.