top of page

Bates Motel, Season 4, Episode 7


Includes spoilers.

Oh no! Norman's coming home.

In the first scene we see the old pet dog taxidermy in Norman's room as Norma peers in. When we switch to a reconstruction of the same in papier-mâché there is a connection. A dead thing reminds Norman of home. There's No Place Like Home.

Emma learns that her mother was at the hospital. Dylan has been trying to track down Audrey, Emma's mother, but can't find her anywhere. He confronts Norma telling her that he thinks Norman hurt Audrey. When he shows Emma the letter and tells her what he's found out, about the eviction and unpaid rent and disappearance, she tells him it isn't the first time her mother got into financial trouble and wanted Emma and her dad to bail her out. She believes that's what's happened this time as well.

Alex and Norma continue being adorable. He gives her the hidden money so she can renovate the old house. He buys a TV and a bunch of old movies, including The Third Man, nice Easter egg. He even answers the phone, unfortunately Norman is on the other end.


Norman learns that Alex and Norma have got married. It's one of those suspension of disbelief moments. He's making a papier-mâché animal and sees a photo from the winter light festival. He speaks to the receptionist and discovers his step father is paying his fees. And he calls home to hear Alex's voice on the other end of the line. Norman is not happy. He petitions to be released and as he was committed voluntarily he is released. The final scene shows Norma and Norman walking up the steps to their home. The shot pans upwards until we are looking into the attic window, reminding us that one day Norma's corpse will be looking out of it.

The fear level in this episode reaches maximum velocity with everyone powerless to prevent what will happen. The doctor has to let Norman go and will only see him as an outpatient. Norma finds it impossible to say he can't come home or admit to the doctor that Norman might be violent. “He isn't violent!” Even Alex, when Norma tells him, accepts that she's Norman's mother and it's right that she puts her son first. He promises to help make it work. They all suspect it's a bad idea, but none of them are strong enough to prevent it, and we are left wondering, at the end of the episode, who will die first?

14 views0 comments
bottom of page