Previously, on “Bates Motel”: Dylan’s stoner buddy Gunner unlocked the secrets of the MacGuffiny thumb drive, revealing it to be full of incriminating evidence against many of White Pine Bay’s most important members; Norma drafted Sheriff Romero to accompany her to blackmail Arcanum president Bob Paris with the info, leading to a deal that would benefit Norma and her motel greatly; Dylan and Norman spilled the beans about Caleb, driving Norma more than a little mad and sending her into a rage that sees the beleaguered mother pack a bag and race away from her boys… and her entire way of life.
This evening’s episode (3.06 – “Norma Louise”) opens moments after the previous episode’s finale, with Norma blazing away from the motel toward destinations unknown. Meanwhile, everybody’s favorite mama’s boy flies into a psychotic fit and begins tearing down the kitchen around him, all as Dylan attempts to calm him (eventually, a well-placed punch knocks Norman unconscious).
Not long after, a shadowy assailant pulls a drive-by on Romero in a parking lot, letting loose a hail of bullets on the unsuspecting Sheriff. Romero manages to fire off a few rounds in return, before realizing one of his attacker’s bullets caught him in the chest – dropping him to the ground in an unmoving heap.
Norma winds up in Portland, where she quickly hits a clothing shop to reimagine herself as an entirely different person, all as Paris’ goons trail her every move. She eventually finds her way to a car dealership to trade in her own vehicle, in a scene that slyly echoes a similar moment from the original Psycho. She then holes up in a hotel, where she remembers a time when she and her brother, Caleb, had hidden from their abusive parents, huddling together for safety and comfort from the monsters in their lives.
Norman eventually awakens, with Dylan assuring him that Norma will eventually return. Norman resists this notion, pointing out that “leaving” is what Norma does best – and now she’s left the both of them. Emma pops by and offers to stay in the house to help Dylan care for Norman. It’s during this time that Dylan and Emma appear to grow a bit closer (I mean, Dylan’s hands find their way to Emma’s chest – all I’m sayin’). What is it with this guy and his brother’s girlfriends?!
Romero awakens as well, finding himself in a hospital. He immediately attempts to contact Norma to warn her against Paris and his thugs but can’t get through to her (seeing as how she put a few bullets into her cellphone during her flight from White Pine Bay). Would-be sheriff successor and Paris goon Marcus Young visits, subtly threatening him before leaving. As he steps into the parking garage and slides into his car, Romero appears – and, in a moment that will forever cement his badassery – uses his IV stand to break Young’s window before snatching away his gun and executing him with it. Romero then hops into the blood-spattered car and drives away. All this while dressed in a friggin’ hospital gown, mind.
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Norma hangs out in a bar for a bit, flirting and dancing with a potential one-night stand before things quickly turn sour. She drives back to White Pine Bay, finding herself on potential shrink/suitor James Finnigan’s doorstep. The two inevitably wind up in bed.
Meanwhile, Norman’s hallucinations begin to worsen as he continues to practice his taxidermy, before fully zoning out – unable to be reached by either Dylan or Emma. And then, in a scene that portends all sorts of terrible things to come – Dylan later discovers Norman in the kitchen, making breakfast for everyone. While dressed as Norma. And speaking in her voice. The Psycho we’ll eventually know him as is finally starting to fully surface.
As all of these events swirl about, Caleb plans to leave town – having been told by Dylan that Norma asserted that she will never speak to him. He runs into forest dweller Chick and takes him up on his previous offer of a risky driving gig.
Norma returns home and wakes up Dylan and a now-normal Norman, ordering them both into her car. She drives to Dylan’s farm, having made up her mind to finally confront her brother. They arrive, Norma stomping up to Caleb’s camper and meeting her brother face to face. But, rather than the massive blowout one might expect between the two – brother and sister stare at one another before eventually collapsing to the ground in each other’s arms, sobbing as Caleb apologizes over and over.
Another week, another fantastic episode. In fact, this week’s ep is the best so far this season. In addition to being a strong, character-centric installment, it provides viewers with not only the season’s most surprising moment (Romero!) but its most emotional as well (the final scene with Norma and Caleb is an unlikely tearjerker).
In addition, every week seems to be nudging Norman further down the road toward his inevitable fate. Seriously, the kid’s brain is ankle-deep in guano right about now – I fully expect Norma’s last glass of iced tea is coming sooner rather than later.
In any case, this season continues to get better and better. Here’s looking forward to next week’s offering!
“Bates Motel” Episode 3.07 – “The Last Supper” (airs 4/20/15)
Norma (Vera Farmiga) has one big mess to take care of upon her arrival home; Norman (Freddie Highmore) agrees to get help; and Dylan (Max Thieriot) receives shocking news about Emma’s (Olivia Cooke) health.
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