After that jaw-dropping cliffhanger, Bates Motel delivered a profoundly strong follow-up and opened another chamber within Norman's disturbed mind. As always the episode featured amazing acting performances by Freddie and Vera, but Kenny Johnson was just as powerful as the two of them.
I really have to give a major kudos to the team behind the camera and the team that perfectly executed the post production part of not only this episode but the previous two as well. So well done, the transitions, the playing with images Caleb saw and switching between the shades of Norman and Norma outstanding work. The episode itself picked up right where the previous outing ended. We see Caleb face Mother and realizes the extant of Norman's crazy. Freddie continuously impresses me with his portrayal of Mother. The small little gestures, smiles, twitches, posture create such an exceptional and well-rounded character. Caleb's emotional journey throughout this episode was gripping and so well executed. Kenny did an amazing work going through all those stages of acceptance, slowly realizing he has no way out of this. Caleb remembering his childhood with Norma and them telling they love each other was way too creepy for my taste but it served its purpose. Caleb with his deranged mind loved his sister in a wrong and the pain he felt was truly real. Him accepting Norman as Mother just so he could say goodbye to his sister was indeed heartbreaking. But just as Caleb from the beginning it was obvious he wouldn't leave Bates Motel alive but I appreciate the writers surprising us with the execution.
Norman's inability to kill Caleb is a great piece of humanity that makes the true difference between Norman from Mother. Norman is so fragile while Mother is cutthroat and will protect "herself" by any means. Eventually, neither Norman or Mother killed Caleb instead Chick ran him over while Caleb was running from away from Mother.
Chick is a very very ominous and a very wild card, wonder how long it will take before he pisses of Mother and gets to join the lake crowd. I like how his alternativeness fits with the crazy going on with the Norman and Norma. He thinks fast and is very adaptable to living with Norman and his hallucinations. Also, his heart of stone is helping him a lot. I really don't get how he had the guts to just leave Caleb in the basement to die and how he stirred up trouble by putting Norman in the crossroads with Caleb. A really devious and sleazy guy.
In between all the craziness, Norman and Madeline bonded and strengthened their relationship. Next week's promo indicated they will take their relationship to a new level, wonder what Mother will think about that?
And he is OUT! Our favorite White Pine Bay Sheriff escaped prison and is headed for some revenge I assume. Was Romero's staged prison break a bit faulty and too easy? Of course but for plot sake, I can tolerate it. He did plan it ahead but he apprehended the officer way too easy. The show would've benefited from a bit more action from this story. Still, Jason's plea for Romero not to kill his brought a couple of tears to my eyes. Romero isn't a really bad guy and he has only one goal revenge the death of his wife. I found the wedding ring detail very sweet. Didn't think Romero would get shot in this episode but I assume they want to stall a bit before the showdowns start.
With only 7 outings left in the series, I can't wait to see more of the crazy the writers are willing to bring into the world of White Pine Bay. What were your thoughts on this week's outing? Did you enjoy the slight change of pace and tribute to Caleb and Norma's "love"? As always I'm eagerly expecting your comments in the comment section down bellow.
