The newest Bates Motel episode wraps up the storyline that has been building up since episode one. Norman discovers that Bradley does not like him, Norma grows closer to Emma, and a mysterious man becomes their first guest. Most of the characterization of this episode is for Norma and Norman. Norman becomes more and more disturbed, and there is a point in this episode where I thought he would actually kill somebody.
The main plot is wrapping up the first story arc. Norma tells the entire story about her boyfriend and the murders to the Sherrif, and the sheriff agrees to cover it up. After that happens, Norma begins to focus on opening the motel. Norman begins getting more and more distracted because he is wondering if he and Bradley are a couple. He also begins to take care of a stray dog that he finds under the motel. The dog is later hit and killed, and I am afraid that in Norman's fragile mental state that this will send him over the edge. Bradley informs Norman that she does not like him, and that is the point that I thought Norman would actually murder her.
In this episode, Norma is shown to be much more caring and accepting of Emma. She even enjoys the fact that she likes Norman and tries to get Norman to go out with her. Norman does not want to go out with her and Norma is visibly angry. Emma later tells Norma about how Norman is sleeping with Bradley. Norma spies on Bradley and becomes very angry at Norman. This shows just how far she is willing to go to keep Norman with her that she is willing to spy on someone she thinks Norman is having a relationship with. I enjoyed that it showed Norma as a normal, nice human being, but could go insane at a moments notice.
Norman is characterized in this episode as being very, very deeply disturbed. He seems to have a real connection with this little dog he finds, and when it is runover, I fear that it will send him into total madness. When Bradley tells him that she does not want to go out with him, I really thought that he would kill her right then and there . He seems to calm down when she apologizes, but I still think that he could snap at any moment just like Norma. I am curious to see how his character will be developed more.
So all in all, a cool episode setting up an interesting story arc to carry out the rest of the season. I will keep watching and I am enjoying this series. In my opinion, it is the best thing to happen to the Psycho franchise since the Alfred Hitchcock original.
What did you think of this weeks episode of Bates Motel? Sound off below, and let me know!