'Bates Motel' Hits a Sad Note, 'Revenge' Wins - Plus, More

A&E

After the reveal of his true parentage, Dylan’s downward spiral was to be expected. What “Bates Motel” brilliantly delivered this week was the tragic notion of what that means for him as a person. It also brought numerous implications to his already troubled relationship with Norma (Vera Farmiga). After their explosive encounter at the end of the episode, it seemed to have torn them apart for good. 

Max Thieriot’s portrayal hit all of the right notes in an understated, searing turn, personifying the imploding heartbreak. How “Bates” handles its ruminations on mother-son relationships continues to be fascinating. In the end, the show seems to be about a mother and her two very different relationships with her sons, and it is highly compelling.

Best New Character: Stevie (Gail O’Grady), “Revenge”

Lifetime Movie heroine Gail O’Grady is tearing it up as the conflicted antithesis to the icy Victoria (Madeleine Stowe). “Revenge” has typically struggled with introducing new characters, and they finally have one that works.

Largest Exodus: “Teen Wolf”

The horror series has bid farewell to core character -- Alison (Crystal Reed) -- and newcomers Isaac (Daniel Sharman) and the terrible twosome Ethan and Charlie (Max and Charlie Carver). Except for Alison, most of those “Teen Wolf” characters have been dead-weight. Now the foundation for the next season is set up to be a more concise affair.

Best New Soap Storyline: “General Hospital” 

The simmering mystery of who was pulling the strings of the inept Julian (Michael DeVry) on “General Hospital” was shockingly identified to be Sonny’s (Maurice Bernard) longtime friend and ally Luke (Tony Geary), and it has not been a short-term thing.

Luke’s been working against him for more than a year. It was a genuinely surprising revelation that will hopefully result in an equally satisfying outcome with no fakeouts. Luke vs. Sonny is a battle that is going to be fun to watch.

Most Overwhelming Character Presence: Sara (Caity Lotz), “Arrow” 

For yet another “Arrow” episode, Sara continued her blaze on the front burner of the series. She is now Oliver’s (Stephen Amell) sole love interest, the head female on Team Arrow. She has replaced Diggle (David Ramsey) as the team’s muscle and Felicity as the tech wizard. Sara has permeated every aspect of “Arrow,” and it has become grating. Her awkward placement in every story does not feel organic at all.

Who’s the Bad Guy Again? “The Tomorrow People”

The twist and turns keep coming as the season’s greatest question on “The Tomorrow People”” has become the most difficult to answer. Is Jedediah (Mark Pellegrino) the big bad, or is he a misunderstood anti-hero?

It is a testament to Mark Pellegrino that it has been so hard to check Jed off in the villain column. He always brings a dimension of light to his characterization that makes you want to believe in JJed’sinnocence, and it works.

Best Character Duplicity: Tom, “The Blacklist”

Ever since the omnipotent Red (James Spader) accused LLiz’shusband of being sinister on “The Blacklist,” it has been one of the series’ central mysteries. Is Tom a good guy or a bad guy? As it turns out, he is a very bad guy. Ryan Eggold’sportrayal has been fun to watch as he played Tom’sduplicity with notable skill.

Equally convincing as Tom consoled Liz (Megan Boone) in one breath and tried to harm her in the next. With Liz learning of Tom’s betrayal, their cat-and-mouse game is about to get even more interesting. I’m still holding out hope he is not completely evil.

Character in Need of Graduating: Jeremy, “The Vampire Diaries”

It is time for “Jer” (why can’t anyone finish pronouncing his name?) to come into the adult world. It has been tedious for him to always run with the big kids and have to return to school afterward, awaiting graduation. If the age difference is worth continuing to make an issue, then make something more out of it than a metaphor for Elena’s (Nina Dobrev) maternal acumen.

Show that Just Keeps Getting Better: “Reign””

It started as a not-so-great show. Then it was a guilty pleasure, and now it is not only a worthy costume drama by The CW, but it is also a respectable series. “Reign” has become a sublime teen-based drama that has already bested the first season of “Gossip Girl” in terms of story quality. There is no restraint on this sumptuous pleasure trove, no storyline the show has been afraid to attempt. It has had the guts to claim the glory of a worthy gamble.