Bates Motel: “A Danger to Himself and Others” — March 7, 2016
In the fourth season premiere of Bates Motel, Norman’s missing and Norma Louise is beside herself. Dylan joins Will at the hospital, waiting for news on Emma. Norma Louise is full of surprises for Sheriff Romero. Special Contributor Tracey M. gives her run down of the goings on at Bates now. – David F.
Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell) is at the dock cleaning up his mess. He’s dragging Bob Paris’ (Kevin Rahm) body onto his boat, and watching both sink into the bay. Back at home, Alex opens the deceased’s’ getaway bag and stashes the cash behind some bricks. Neat and tidy. Someone has to clean up the trash, right?
No one knows where Norman is. We last saw him at the dock, stuffing poor Bradley’s (Nicola Peltz) body into the trunk of her car before rolling it into the bay. As the car sinks, “Mother” assures him she will take care of things. Norman (Freddie Highmore) starts furiously arguing with “Mother” for bashing Bradley’s brains out on a rock. When Norman says “Mother wants to talk to you”, you’d best be on your way; some crazy stuff’s about to go down.
Dylan (Max Thieriot) has been out distributing flyers and Norma is frantic to find her son. Across town, Norman regains consciousness in a field. His hands and face are bloody, but he’s too eager to resume arguing with “Mother” to notice. A passerby does notice, and he stops to see if he needs help. Norman advises the man to back off – this is between him and Norma. The man approaches carefully. Norman swings at him, but misses and the guy clocks him. Lights out, Norman.
Dylan receives a call that Norman has been found. He’s at the state mental facility and he’s safe. Dylan tells Norma he can’t go with her to pick up Norman because he wants to be there for Emma’s transplant; his subtle way of letting Norma know he cares for Emma (Olivia Cooke).
The state facility is a snake pit. Norman is strapped to a gurney in the hallway, asking for his mother. Norma (Vera Farmiga) arrives at the hospital and demands to see her son. She meets with Dr.Palma, who reads her Norman’s incident report. Norma mentions the blackouts and the doctor berates her for not seeking treatment for Norman sooner (ya think?) Norma storms out. She bursts into the police station to see Alex, begging for his help getting Norman out. Alex says there’s nothing that can be done, and advises Norma Louise to take her hysteria down a few notches.
Norma knows that Norman needs help, and soon. (and she doesn’t even know about Bradley!) She drives up to Pineview Institute but is told there is a waiting list, plus she has no insurance. She stops a doctor on her way out, and asks him for help. She tries batting her teary baby-blues. Dr. Edwards (Damon Gupton) tells her he’s gay, and starts to walk away. Norma is desperate and pleads with him to help Norman. She’s alone and scared. Dr. Edwards hands her his card and says he’ll see Norman once he’s released. Still in the state facility and restrained on a gurney, Norman appears catatonic. He’s gone to that place between himself and reality, where he relives happier times with Norma.
As Dylan waits for word on Emma with Will Decody (Andrew Howard), Emma’s mom, Audrey shows up at the hospital and is met with hostility by Emma’s dad. They argue until she decides to leave while Dylan uncomfortably watches. Audrey decides to check into the Bates Motel for a few days. She knows about the Bates from Emma, but doesn’t let on that she’s her mother. The next morning, Audrey (Karina Logue) walks up to the main house, and tells Norma that she is Emma’s mother. She asks Norma if she will help her get a message to Emma. Since they’re both mothers of children with problems, Audrey is hopeful Norma will understand. Strangely, she refuses to help Audrey and slams the door in her face. Norma Louise is a piece of work.
Norma arrives at the state hospital to bring Norman home. Dr. Louise Palma (Elizabeth Greer) warns her to take better care of Norman. He’s psychotic and likely dangerous – if he doesn’t get into Pineview, she’ll see to it that he is committed to the state facility. Clearly shaken, Norma leaves the office and takes Norman home. She talks to Norman about seeing a doctor. He agrees to go if he doesn’t have to be sent away from her. He sleeps in bed with Norma that night. Oedipus, move over!
Early the next morning, Norma slips out of the room and calls Alex, waking him. Now what, Norma? She says she has to see him right away and she’s on her way over. She locks Norman in the bedroom before she leaves.
Norman wakes to discover he’s locked in. He loses it, screaming for his mother and bashing himself against the door until it breaks. He falls into the hallway, panting, staring, and making no effort to stand. I feel there’s a blackout coming on for young Norman.
After seeing Norma peel out, Audrey makes another trip up to the house, maybe Norman will help her reach Emma. Norman answers the door in full-blown Norma mode, decked out in her bathrobe. He greets Audrey politely and invites her in for tea. She talks about Emma with Norman. He sits beside Audrey on the couch and begins berating her for abandoning Emma and causing her pain. His voice gets louder and louder, and his eyes grow dark before he strangles her with her own scarf.
Norma frantically tells a sleepy Alex she needs help. She has no insurance for Norman’s treatment, and he needs help. She suggests to Alex they could marry, since he has insurance. As much as he wants Norma Louise and all her crazy, he says no.
Dylan and Will get the news that Emma’s transplant was successful: fingers crossed for the next 24hrs. In the recovery room, Emma wakes to find Dylan waiting beside her bed. I don’t think they’ll be receiving a gift basket from Norman.
Bates Motel Airs Monday at 9/8c on A&E
