you might’t have one (brother) without the… Now here we are, completely off script in a post-Marion-Crane world.
A world where theres a little more truth than what hes been allowed to see before.
Because Mother is right: Dylan has never understood the relationship between Norman and his mother.
Credit: Cate Cameron/A&E
I mean, this opening scene is b-a-n-a-n-a-s. Norman stands overhead, splattered in blood, looking shell shocked at his life choices.
Like a big kid, Norman!
In the car though, Norman is still having trouble reckoning with the fact that he just murdered someone.
Mother tells him that he cant ask her for the truth and then freak out when she shows him.
Norman responds that the truth is just kind of a lot.
They pull up to a familiar looking entrance to the lake… and find police lights.
So Motherslapshim and Normanslaps her back!Its soapy slapstick madness, and these two are absolutely losing it.
Norman, finally catching on: Thistime?
How many times have we done this, Mother?
How many bodies are they going to find in that lake?
We dont have time for this emotional bulls!
And so,this time, they take to the woods with Sam Hes heavy.
Yeah, well, hes tall…wastall.
where Mother is sure shes seen an old well just prime for dumping a body in.
By the well, Norman pauses to have a crisis of conscience: I cant believe I did this.
He didnt deserve to die.
She isThe Woooorst (the worst in the world).
She informs him outright that they found multiple bodies at the little lake near the motel last night.
For now, shes got him on antibiotics and has hidden his gun.
He simply asks that she make it show up by the time Im strong enough to leave.
Given whats coming, its a sweet promise, but likely an empty one.
Whats coming is Normans big brother, Dylan.
But is anyone in Normans life really bigger, more powerful than Mother?
Norman asks how Emma is, and Dylan tells him theyre married now… and they have a baby.
Its just… you have no idea, Dylan, every day is a small century.
But thats a world that doesnt contain Mother.
And during Normans bout of brotherly honesty, Mother is peaking around the corner in Normas most well-behaved cardigan.
Dylan tells him, I dont think youre well, Norman.
But Dylan doesnt know about their third roommate.
Thats the price we pay for having what we have.
Its just thetwoof us.
I repeat: The.
But before we get to that dinner first, a bomb drop!
Dylan goes to the pharmacy to see if theres any way to refill Normans old prescriptions from Dr. Edwards.
Apparently, hes presumed dead.
To quote my notes regarding this revelation: WHAT THE WHAT?!
But on the scale ofBates Motelpriorities these days, ill-advised crushes aresoseason 3.
Madeleine doesnt understand, so Dylan elaborates: Norman has mental issues.
Hes… not well.
Norman Bates… has mental issues.
And hes about to show the full extent of them.
Dylan walks in to find Norman cooking him a formal dinner featuring, like, 100 candelabras.
He tells Norman that he just met Madeleine and she said her husband was missing.
Norman, king of improv: Yes… theLoomises.Ive spent some time with them both.
I dont know them that well.
Dylan asks him again, pointedly, Do you know what happened to him, Norman?
But Norman still answers to a higher power.
None of those things happen.
Norman tells Dylan that he knows he cares about him, but he needs to leave soon.
Im screaming the same thing at my television LEAVE, DYLAN, LEAVE!
while also desperately hoping that hell stay and help, the one person who can.
Im your brother and I love you.
He gives Norman the pills that he got and begs him to take one in front of him.
And bless his heart, Norman looks like he wants to.
But Norman Bates mind is not a matter of simple wants.
I just want to talk to him, Norman.
Theres a slow, suggestive turnaround from the sink you know the one.
Dylan, I know you mean well because youve always meant well.
And you may not believe me, but I am so proud of you.
Unfortunately, I can only ever be a real mother to one person.
And then that she-devil KNOCKS DYLAN OUT WITH THE GLASS!
And what does Dylan see?
Yall it is lunacy; it is camp; it is heartbreaking; it is…Bates Motel.
Norman wrestles down Mother if not actually physically, he tamps her down mentally.
My name is Norman Bates.
And I killed Sam Loomis.
