This week’s episode of Bates Motel was a stand out episode that reminded me of how exciting this show was back in season one. Norma Bates and Alex Romero are officially married and their relationship was fantastic in this episode.
Coming off of great moments in this season, like her asking him to marry her by saying that it’s not like he’s doing anything better, this episode kept giving us gems of their uniquely endearing relationship. The way it started out with her being decidedly not romantic in their wedding scene and disgruntled when he said he’d be moving in with her, then gradually worked its way to their romantic love scene was brilliantly executed. Her confiding in him that she doesn’t know if she can go out into the world and act happy, followed by him very gently and romantically telling her that’s what alcohol is for, was fantastic.
Sweet scenes like Alex helping a giggly, tipsy Norma up the stares provided an interesting change of pace to Norma’s concern for Norman. Of course, she’s still concerned about Norman and she tells Dylan Massett that she can’t think about anything else, but we also see in her happier scenes with Alex that this isn’t completely true.
Norman’s plotline now that he’s in the psychiatric hospital was very strong. His sad concern as he spoke to his doctor was an amazing contrast to how threatening he was in the previous episodes of the season. The final scene, in which he calmly told his doctor that he has reason to believe Norma has been killing people was a perfect dramatic turn.
I’m also interested in Norman’s new relationship with Julian. Although we only got a brief glimpse of the new character, he seems similar to Norman and has a lot of potential for the story.
