Norman Bates is not inherently a bad or evil person.
Dylan knows that Norman is crazy.
But the most important thing Dylan knows is that with help, Norman can get better.
Credit: Cate Cameron/A&E
Mother can take Norman over entirely wear him like a peter-pan-collared dressing gown.
Every time Mother takes over, IwantNorman to be stronger, Iwanthim to batten down the hatches andresist.
But thats not how it works.
Norman isnt a bad person, hes not a criminal hes crazy.
But for now, Greene is talking to Norman, and she doesnt love what shes hearing.
But Sheriff Greene has her own theory: She thinks hes making it up.
And children sometimes act out.
Almost always because they feel ignored.
Its incredible how right and wrong one person can be at the same time.
I did me, Norman.
Its really the only thing hes sure of.
Until hed no longer be in control.
Mother hisses, What did you do?!
and throws Norman to the ground.
I AM THE ONLY ONE WHOS GOING TO PROTECT YOU!
Its just life, which is hard, and cruel, and undeserving of your kind soul.
Norman may have created her, but Mother is Normans god.
And right now, shes going full Old Testament: Honey, you are in a big pickle.
And Im not mad at you…I just cant let you do any more damage.
Its time to fix this.
Greene walks in and asks Norman how hes doing he turns around to reveal the face of Norman.
But we know whos in charge, if by response alone: Peachy keen, thanks for asking.
EX-CUSE ME, Mother cries, and in that moment, Iswearthey superimposed Vera Farmigas eyes over Freddie Highmores.
My brother had just showed up and he can be a real asshole.
But even Mother cant get out of this one.
Norman reallyhasgotten himself into oneheckof a pickle!
And its not just him and Mother its affecting.
An officer tells him that the motel is an active crime scene, and thats all she can say.
But Chick begs to know if the owner is dead and is relieved to find out hes not.
And Mother tells her that if shes Normans lawyer, shes working for him, not Dylan.
Julia says sure, but theres that small problem of him having confessed to murder.
Mother says, I wasnt on my meds; I didnt know what I was saying.
So thats the new plan: plead confessions of insanity to cover up crimes of insanity.
Mmhmm, okay, one last thing: And why would someone lie about something like that?
Because someone else would have to have killed Sam Loomis, Julia tells her.
Mother quirks her mouth into a tiny smile.
These two… are a deadly combination.
And the combination of Mother and Julia facing off against Sheriff Greene?
But only once can be right.
Im not even sure if there is a body.
S.
And Mother, you better believe she is doing her finest, sweetest, most naive Norman impression.
Sams mistress took off, and Sam and Madeleine left together.
She just sobbed in my arms… then she kissed me.
I wanted things to be different for Madeleine, and that is why I decided to take the blame.
Theres a delicate tear flick.
Looking back, with the benefit of hindsight…
I fear I may have been an easy target, says Motherrichly.
My mother always did say that I was too naive about beautiful women.
And mother was always right.
But the one thing thatMotherhas always misunderstood is just how much the mother stuff gives her away.
Its weird, and its creepy, and people hear it.
The sheriff hears it.
The Sheriff asks about her relationship with Norman, and Madeleine says theyre friendly.
We dont get an answer to that.
The next time we see Madeleine, shes shivering outside with mascara on her face.
Or rather, she comes face to face with Motherleeringat her through the glass.
No reflection this time just unadulterated malice.
It isstomach-churningphysicality from Highmore.
But Greenes motives can be multi-faceted: I understand the instinct to protect your brother.
But Ive seen family members destroyed over much less than youre facing now.
Consider cooperating with us.
I cant guarantee it will feel good, but its the right thing to do.
Dylan bids her goodnight.
Unconcerned with safety… is Alex Romero.
When he wakes up, he hears Normas voice through the vents, which seems impossible.
Why, no, its just Chick listening to recordings and hacking away at his typewriter in the basement!
Romero has his gun on him immediately, demanding to know what Chicks doing there.
Chicks retort: And he loved her.
Alex is… stunned, to say the least.
You guys are perfectly worthy adversaries.
Oh, I was not expecting that.
And Im not yet sure what purpose it serves narratively, but Im certainly sad to lose Chick.
But its a story that doesnt yet have an ending.
A new scene opens on the observation side of the two-way mirror.
Theres a TV screen showing the live video feed where we see Norman sitting at the interrogation table.
And theres that clock, hanging above both of them, ticking the time away.
Mother soothes out loud, Just be patient, Norman.
I dont mind admitting that I miss you.
Deputies walk around in the snowy woods, looking for something.
One spots a concrete cylinder sticking out of the ground a well.
Cut to a body wrapped in plastic being pulled out of it.
I dont want to says she looks happy but she looks… eager.
We see Normans body stand up in the mirror.
Greene addresses him: Were charging you additionally with the murders of Jim Blackwell and Audrey Ellis.
You dont need to say a thing.
Shes a nasty, nasty, nasty woman.
Bates & Pieces:
RIP, Chick.
Dancing with the newborn angels trying to get a muse = IM WRITING A BOOK!
Have we ever seen White Pine Bay this deep into winter?
Not to mention, all that winter gear for the sheriff and her deputies made me absolutelythirstfor aFargo/Batescrossover.
Idemandan Emmy for Freddie Highmore.
DEMAND IT, I SAY!
!
