Last Monday, Bates Motel kicked off its 4th season with a spectacular season premiere, titled "A Danger to Himself and Others", written by Kerry Ehrin & Carlton Cuse and directed by Tucker Gates.
It was a perfect episode to start a season, it nicely tied up last season loose ends and introduced new storylines for this season with some twists ; and that ending just wow ! It was shocking and surprising, but I loved it.
First, "A Danger to Himself and Others" resolved Emma’s fate, whose life was at risk when she was undergoing a lung transplant in last season finale. As expected, and thank God, the operation went fine and she should fully recover. Dylan was there, as he decided to go to Portland, when his brother was found, to be with her. I’m still not a big fan of their relationship, they're sweet but there is still something weird for me, I just can’t get over it. Anyway, I really wish Dylan and Emma a happy ending, they deserve it but they really need to get far away from the Norman/Norma drama.
Then, "A Danger to Himself and Others" dealt with Norman’s whereabouts after he murdered Haley and covered up his killing, using water just like Romero in this episode. Norman’s mental state was clearly deteriorating. Mother has become more recurrent, and he can’t discern his hallucinations from reality when it involves his mother. As he was found bloody, making no sense and speaking to invisible people, Norman was sent to a psychiatric ward for observation. The place looked awful and Norman was terrorized there. He is a psychopath, but he’s also just a teenage boy sometimes, and it was quite painful to watch him there.
Of course, having her son locked away from her put Norma in a terrible state. She has finally accepted her son needs treatment, because he was getting out of control. She couldn’t handle him anymore, as the doctor pointed out. But Norma knows what she wants for her son. Despite his troubled and psychotic personality, she loves him and deeply cares for him. And as always, she was willing to do anything to protect him in "A Danger to Himself and Others".
The only place where Norman could be safe, a nice place where Norma could regularly visit was the Pineview institute. As it was established Norma couldn't pay the treatment there, Norma felt no choice but to turn to Romero for help. And that led to one of the most awkward and hilarious scene of the show, where Norma woke up Romero and then came to his house to ask him to marry her, for his insurance. And some sex if he wanted to. It was sad to see Norma feeling so helpless and desperate for her son.
But Romero refused Norma's proposal, so Norma had to move on another plan. And while searching for a new way to protect and help Norman feeling better, she had to lock him up in their house. Obviously, it wasn’t a good idea but she had no other choice. Norman got angry, got out of the room and blackout to Mother. Freddie Highmore can be so creepy as Norman Bates, it’s excellent. He portrayal of Mother is excellent, just like Vera Farmiga. Their duo is so complementary and amazing.
The most surprising part of the episode was Audrey’s arrival ! Emma’s mother came to visit her daughter, after abandoning her, at the hospital. Of course, things didn’t go smoothly with her ex husband and she left without seeing her daughter. She went back to the Bates Motel, to meet with Norma and Norman, after Emma mentioned them in one of her letters. I was much surprised by Audrey’s arrival in the show, I didn't expect it at all but she obviously brought a great dynamic.
Especially with Norma, since she was confronted to Norman being sick and was looking for a right treatment for him. She was angry when she learnt about Audrey’s real identity, they were two different kinds of mothers : one abandoned her sick child as she couldn’t assume and Norma was finally accepting her son’ sickness and looking for help. So Norma made her left the motel, at least that what she thought.
Because Audrey stayed and her best moment came at the very end of the episode, when she came to see Norman, the guy her daughter had a crush on (before kissing his older brother) only to meet with Mother, in a robe. Mother was nice at first, very cold but hospitable with Emma’s mother but quickly, she became furious, way more than Norma was and she strangled Audrey with her own scarf. Damn, Norman is unstoppable, he has killed two people in three days. Norma really needs to do something about it otherwise she’s gonna be next !
The murder scene was shocking and so surprising, I've never expected her to die so soon but it will have repercussions for the rest of the season, and it ill involve Emma probably so it is very exciting.
"A Danger to Himself and Others"was an excellent season premiere, now that Bates Motel has an ending date, we think we can assume the story is going to move forward faster. Norman will get closer and closer to the Norman Bates from the movie. And Norma is going to be in real danger !
I’m confident this season is going one of the best, what do you think ? Did you like the season premiere ? What did you think about Norma’s proposal ? Do you think Norma will survive the season ? Hit the comments !
And don't miss my preview for next Monday episode tomorrow !
Motel notes :
- Norma’s reaction when she found out officially about Dylan and Emma : “Okay” Seriously ? Nothing more ? Anyway, I loved Vera Farmiga's face in that scene.
- Norma trying to hit on a gay doctor. That was embarrassing but fun. And afterwards, the scene was very moving. I’m looking forward seeing him again
- Emma’s mother : are you mad or glad she is already dead ?
- Norman getting punched in the face was somehow fun.
