Last week Norma was torn between Romero and Norman, while Norman was starting to realize just how much had changed since he was in Pineview and he is not happy about his mother new-found happiness with Romero and tell him as such. Norma tells Norman that she likes Alex while they are out looking for a tree and Norman throws up at the news, we also seen Norma stand up for herself and her love for Romero, it’s the first time we have seen Norma put Norman dearest in his place. Romero feels the rath of Norman and is clearly rattled by Normans behavior and refuses to leave Norma alone with Norman.
SN4 EP9 – ‘Forever’
Norma wakes to find Romero downstairs and after Normans melt down the night before Romero didn’t get much sleep. Norma foolishly thinking everything is ok now and that the hard bit is over, but Romero knows otherwise and tells Norma that Norman should be at Pineview for his and Normas safety but Norma doesn’t want hear it let alone acknowledge that Norman would ever hurt her. Norman wakes and finds his mother and Romero sharing an intimate moment before Romero leaves. While in session with Dr. Edwards, Norman loses his cool and says Romero only married Norma for the money and insurance and that Romero never liked him and wanted him in Pineview so he could get to Norma, He goes on to detail how their relationship will go and that he is the one that picks up the pieces every time. He knows his mother far to well is it any wonder why the boy needs therapy.
Norma calls Romero, he express his concern that Norman being home isn’t the best thing for either of them. Norma yet again gets defensive and tell him just because he is her husband doesn’t give him the right to know whats best for her son. Norma is blinded by the truth and she knows deep down that Norman is unwell but yet still makes excuses for his irrational behavior, what will it take for her to see just how sick and dangerous Norman is? Romero left with no other option calls Dylan and expresses his concern for the woman he loves, he tells Dylan that he thinks Norman is dangerous but Dylan is hesitant to talk at first, but agrees with Romero and also thinks Norman needs to be committed but Dylan tells Romero he can’t go behind Norma’s back.
Emma finds an earing in a coat Norma gave her, assuming its Norma’s she gives it to Dylan to give back to Norma but he immediately recognizes it belongs to Emma’s mother. Dylan confronts Norma about the earing, at first she says yes its mine but when pressed she ignore Dylan’s question of why she has it. The fact that she has her head buried in the sand when it comes to Norman, is the last straw for Dylan who tells Norma he is done, he can’t do this anymore. He tells Norma he’s not the only one who thinks Norman should be committed. As Dylan is leaving Norma asks him for the earing and Dylan walks off, he encounters Norman as he is leaving and tell him “your unwell you need to check back into Pineview Norman”.
Norman confused with whats just happened, demands to know whats going on, Norma tells him that Dylan doesn’t think he should be home, she goes on to say “Because everyone thinks they know more about you than I do” Norma, Norma, Norma what are you doing? Giving up a shot at REAL love and REAL happiness for what your crazy ass, mother obsessed son. Rebecca tries to save herself and agree on a wire to get Romero, but Romero wasnt born yesterday and catches on that the DEA has gotten to her and she is wired. I think there will be more fall out from this, don’t think we have seen the last of Rebecca or the Paris case. Norman is in the basement looking for Christmas lights, when he comes across a suit case its Emma’s mother Audrey Decody’s suitcase, he put on the coat and in that instant you see it dawn on him what he had done.
Norma returns home but she is not herself and Norman notices and asks what happened, Norma tells him he was right and that her and Alex aren’t going to work out, but as she stares into the fridge it dawns on her exactly what she is giving up and breaks down as Norman tries to console her. Norman has gotten what he wanted, his mother all to himself. Norma writes Romero a letter that hit me right in the feels “I will always love you no matter what” my heart broke for her at the moment. She places the wedding ring and the note in an envelope and sits it on the dresser, Norman comes in and lays besides Norma on the bed, they talk about fresh starts and leaving White Pine Bay behind. With Norma asleep Norman heads to the basement and lights the furnace and goes through the house and closes all the vents all the while “Mr Sandman” is playing in the background but he left Norma’s vent open, he climbs back into bed with his mother. Romero returns to the house and is concerned that the doors are locked and the house is in darkness, he enters the house and calls for Norma but no answer so he goes up to her room and finds her and Norman unresponsive he carries Norma out and goes back to get Norman and again I got punched in the feels as Romero tries to revive the woman he loves, utterly heartbreaking as he Romero is falling apart Norman coughs and slowly starts to realize what has happened, he turns his head and says “Mother?” Norma is still unresponsive.
Is that the end of Norma Bates? Surely not! Every season and every episode of Bates Motel is knocked out of the park and this episode was no different, Vera Farmiga you are a legend I have loved every minute of watching you evolve Norma into the woman she is now, and Freddie Highmore you to are a legend the way you to have evolved Norman leaves me speechless. What will the season finale bring next Monday?
I am looking forward to seeing the season finale next week. On the other hand, I am surrounded by what ifs! Witnessing Norman’s evolution is heartbreaking and immense. By the way, nice review!
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Thank you! I’m definitely looking forward to the finale, although I think it may create more questions and what ifs than answers. Its going to go out with bang that is for certain.
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