99 Words About … The ick factor of A&E’s ‘Bates Motel’

“Bates Motel” is on Monday nights.

Hopelessly devoted. Holding hands during intimate moments. Barely able to take their eyes off each other.

TV’s hottest new couple seems destined to tip the will-they-or-won’t-they scale toward the affirmative.

They’re Norman (Freddie Highmore) and Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga), better known to Hitchcock fans as Mother.

Yep. “Bates Motel” (10 p.m. Monday, A&E) is just that creepy.

“Lost’s” Carlton Cuse continues his disregard for the space-time continuum with this modern-day “Pyscho” prequel, focusing on Norman’s formative years in White Pine Bay, whose other residents are nearly as disturbing.

No wonder Janet Leigh couldn’t wait to get into that shower.

— CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE