The final episode of Bates Motel season one has aired. It wraps up the man in number nine story arc, and begins a new one dealing with Norman's insanity and Norma's relationship with the sheriff. Norman commits a murder, and remembers nothing of it. Norma plans on killing the man in number nine, but the sherriff does it before she can. They then seem to begin this sort of working relationship. Norma also tells Norman a shocking secret.
So, in this episode, the mysterious man in number nine is killed. Norma goes to the sherriff for help, and he goes to meet the man with the money. Instead, the sherriff just flat out kills him. When Norma asks him why he did that, he says that she must trust him. Remember back when he agreed to cover up the murder Norma had committed? To me, this seems like he and her now have this working relationship of keeping secrets. I have a feeling this will come into play when Norma finds out about Norman's murders.
Now for the Norma's secret. Norma, thinking she is going to be killed in her confrontation with the man in number nine, tells Norman that she used to have a physical relationship with her brother. He forced her into it, and it went on for years. To me, this could be forshadowing some underlying insanity within Norma. Remember, pretty much the same thing happened to her in episode one. I am wondering, could this same horrible event happening to her again cause her to snap? I am betting that that will play a huge role in the craziness that will eventually take over the Bates Motel. That is a very interesting and creepy plot point, and I am wondering how they will expand upon it in season two.
Now for the biggest part of this episode. Norman goes to a dance, and is attacked by Bradley's boyfriend for sleeping with her. As Norman is walking home, he is picked up by his teacher, who is revealed to have relationship issues. She takes him back to her home, and fixes his cuts. It is a very awkward and creepy scene. She then goes into her room to change, and purposefully leaves the door open. Norman can see her, and it is obvious she is trying to seduce him. Norman then gets a vision of his mother, who tells him that this woman is bad and that he "knows what he must do." It then cuts to Norman running home, no memory of what has happened. At the end of the episode, it is revealed that he killed the teacher.
Now this a huge piece of plot development. Remember in the original film, when Norman watching Janet Leigh undress broke mother's rules? Then he went in and killed her. This is very close in terms of the way it is played out to that classic scene. Norman has finally become a killer. Even though he killed his father earlier, that was because his dad was beating Norma. This was a completely unprovoked attack. This is the first time that Norman has killed someone just because of his insanity. This show is getting closer and closer to the original Psycho, and I love it.
One thing I am wondering about, though. In the movie, he began seeing his mother after he killed her, because she was abusive. In this version, he sees visions of her while she is alive, and they are very close. I wonder if he will begin dressing as her while she is still alive, too? This show is very much like the movie in tone, but the story differs enough that you can enjoy it and be surprised by the plot twists.
So all in all, a great ending to a fantastic first season. It ended a good story arc, and begins what looks to be another great one. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and the season, and it has left me wondering what will happen in season two. I am a huge fan of the Psycho film series, and the show did not disappoint me. I for one am looking forward to season two!
What did you think of this week's Bates Motel? What are your predictions for season two? Sound off below and let me know!