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That's a real inside edition Hitchcock joke of a title: "Marie Samuels" is the name that Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) signs in the guest book of the Bates Motel in Psycho when she's just met Norman and is still trying to cover up her identity. One scene later after Norman's fed her a sandwich and been really weird about stuffed things Marion feels comfortable enough to introduce herself by her real name (more likely she'd just forgotten her own lie at that point), which is kind of an early spin on the slasher trope (as laid out so delightfully by Randy in Scream) where the big-boobed girl is caught in some kind of sin (lying, fucking, et cetera) and must be summarily punished (aka murdered) for it.
Anyway these are the first pictures of Rihanna playing "Marion Crane" in the upcoming final season of Bates Motel (via) and this post's title was my way of calling her a pale imitation of the original. I know, I know - I cannot possibly judge, having not seen a split second of her performance or what they do with the character. But I kinda can, if I want to, since it's still, for now, a free country. So judge I shall! I love that they went with an actress of color for the role, but every time I've seen Rihanna try to act she's been a block of balsa on the screen. So I'm kind of wary. Besides Vera Farmiga chewing through every piece of furniture with her spectacularly entertaining performance as Norma Bates the show hasn't done too great when it comes to giving actresses much to do on it. But I guess we'll find out in a couple of weeks! The show returns February 20th.
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