Bates Motel continued its amazing and exciting 4th season last night, with "Goodnight, Mother", written by Kerry Ehrin & Torrey Speer and directed by Tim Southam.
After the epic season premiere, this second episode was even better IMO. The show keeps getting better, and I have a feeling this season is going to be extraordinary. Finally, Norman and his troubled personality are back as the main focus. Mother appears more and more, and Norman can’t discern Mother from his real mother, his hallucinations are getting stronger and obviously, they have affected his relationship with his mother.
"Goodnight, Mother" demonstrated how fragile Norma and Norman's relationship has become. They used to be so close, so trustworthy, sharing everything and now, there are so many secrets and lies between them. Norman is convinced his mother actually murdered Audrey, while she locked him up in the house. So of course, he reacted in that way, he tried to protect his mother and he was angry she was lying to him. Norma was so desperate and she didn’t understand Norman’s reaction. It felt like they were living in two different realities so they couldn't understand each other.
After Norman’s accusation of murder, Norma understood he actually had killed Audrey. And as always, she did everything to protect him, looking for the body and mostly looking for a place where Norman could stay and get some help. Luckily for Norma, Romero hasn’t forgotten about her proposal from last week (still one of my favorite scene of the show). Romero has always been attracted to Norma, he has always cared for her. I’m very fond of their relationship, he might be the only one in Norma’s life who really wants to help her and to be there for her.
Romero worked his way to the Pineview Institute and bought Norman a place in that institution. It didn’t surprise me, but I was so glad Romero decided to continue helping the Bates family. It will probably lead to his death later this season or next, but he's a good man and he certainly feels Norma's despair. Now, I can’t wait for Norma and Romero’s marriage and how Norman is going to react to this news !
But Romero full of good intentions might have did something wrong, not on purpose, as he faxed the papers for Norman's admission to the institute to the Bates motel, where Norman was checking in new guests while Norma was staying in her own house. So, he learnt his mother was going to lock him up by the fax machine, and of course it upset him. And we all know what happens when Norman gets upset, he sees people. His father appeared, I was happy Norman recognized it was a hallucination at first, it meant he wasn’t full crazy but still he believed his ghost father’s words.
Then came one of the most scariest scene of Bates Motel. Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore were both so excellent. Norma and Norman enjoyed dinner at home, both knowing about the Pineview institute but pretending everything was fine. The atmosphere was so tense, and then Norman totally let it go, screaming at his mother she was the killer and she wanted Norman to take the blame and to lock him up. Damn, Freddie Highmore gave me shivers, he was so intense and frightening. I even thought for a moment Norman was going to kill or at least attack his mother.
Their relationship was clearly deteriorating, I don’t think Norma has ever been that afraid of Norman. But he has become more and more dangerous. and that scene in the basement was terrifying and heartbreaking. There is always that strong connection between them.
Finally, Romero arrived and Norman followed him peacefully, resigned. He accepted his mother’s decision, and despite everything. As she ran towards him at the end, so he could sign the paper for his own admission, it was obvious Norma still loved deeply her son. I can’t wait to see how Norman is going to react in the institution, how it’s going to affect him and his relationship with his mother. And in the meantime, let’s hope Norma and Romero will enjoy some happy time together… Just like Dylan and Emma need that happy time together.
Dylan continued to stay by Emma’s side at the hospital. She was finally breathing on her own, Dylan’s worry during the procedure was very touching and sweet. He deeply cares for, and now she can have a future, she isn't about to drop dead so it means Dylan might have to think about his own future. As Emma’s dad mentioned, being a weed dealer isn’t a future for him, if he really wants to be with Emma too. Dylan needs to get his life in order, he didn’t much reason to do so before but now he has Emma so it can motivate him.
I’m still finding their relationship weird but at least, they’re honest and cute together. Dylan’s kiss on her cheek was nice, but I wonder if Emma’s mother death is going to play a part in their story in the future, if they come back to Pine Bay.
"Goodnight, Mother" was an outstanding episode. Bates Motel is off to a great start this season, and I really hope that Norma and Norman relationship, especially after the institution and her marriage, will continue to be one of the main focus this season, they’re just so good together.
What did you think of "Goodnight, Mother" ? What was your favorite part ? And are you looking forward for the the next episode ? Hit the comments !
Motel notes :
- Norma’s vision of Audrey’s body in the pit, it looked so realistic. I thought she was in there. Where the hell has Mother hidden her body ??
- Norma and Norman’s dispute at the pit when the new guests arrived was funny. He was so cold, and for once Norma seemed erratic (she was wondering where the hell a dead body was)
- “You’re too good to be doing that” Ow, Emma’s father is a kind man.
- Norman was actually very good at his job as hotel manager. It’s scary how nice and hospitable he can be. Those people could never guess he strangled and put a woman into a fridge last night.
