Norman visits Alex Romero in prison. Norma tells him it's stupid, and it probably is, but Norman wants to show Alex he's alive and well. “It was really kind of you to send your friend to see how I’d been getting along, but as you can see, I’m quite all right.” He tells the sheriff he's sympathetic. He too has been locked up and watched all the time. “You put me there.” Alex argues that was his mother's decision but Norman tells him to stop lying. The hatred between these two can be seen in their faces. Alex hates the fact that Norman has the upper hand. “I’m coming for you when you least expect it. So don’t get too cozy up in that house all by yourself.”
Alex starts a fight in the kitchen after Norman leaves. Choosing the biggest, baddest inmate to punch. There is the possibility that this is to show Alex's frustration and how he is losing control, but my hunch is he has a plan. He ends up in the hospital wing and allows the staff to conclude that he was beaten because he's an ex cop. A transfer perhaps? An escape attempt? I guess time will tell.
After leaving the prison, Norman goes to stalk Madeline, watching her from a coffee shop. Her mannerisms and style of dress scream Norma Bates. The obsession feels even less healthy because of this. Madeline pops in for coffee and there's a scene where the two are flirting with each other. All Madeline's interactions with Norman appear flirtatious and I wonder whether this is real or another of Norman's fantasies playing out. Madeline's husband arrives at the coffee shop soon after and he is no other than David Davidson “I'd like a room for a few hours.” Norman plays this beautifully. No doubt Sam Loomis (his real name) gets the message that Norman will use his knowledge to his best advantage. Madeline invites Norman on a double date and he makes it very obvious that he will go but only to be with her. Note – Sam Loomis is the name of Marion Crane's boyfriend in Psycho. Is that who he is meeting at the motel?
When Norman finally gets home, he meets Norma a la Parisienne. She's learning French on the laptop, dressed as a French femme fatale complete with bright red lipstick and smoking cigarettes. I have to admit that this threw me. I am beginning to wonder whether Norma's wardrobe choices are a projection of something deeper going on in Norman's mind. She calls him a traitor, and I have no doubt that part of him does feel guilty for pursuing a relationship with Madeline. It's fascinating and I will be watching how these costumes develop throughout the season.
Chick calls on Norman and Norma complains how she always has to hide. “Pretending to be dead isn’t as much fun as I thought it would be!” Chick overhears Norman's side of the argument through the front door, but in awesome Chick style he doesn't question Norman. Instead he brings gifts and a business proposal. We also learn that Chick fixed Norman's freezer, probably the large one which now contains Norma and her floral tribute.
Chick appears to be writing Norman's story. “He knew she wasn’t there, except in his mind. She was dead, but what did that matter … Isn’t happiness, in a sense, all just a creation of the mind?” Will he end up becoming Robert Bloch, the author of Psycho? Caleb arrives in the bar where Chick is scribbling. He has just discovered that Norma committed suicide and when Chick mentions Caleb raping his sister, Caleb grabs him and threatens to kill him. Caleb is certain that Norman killed Norma and heads for the house to confront his nephew.
The dinner date is about as awkward as any social situation can get, with Norman taking every opportunity to drive a wedge between Madeline and Sam. After his supposed date, Joanne, mentions the death of his mother he flees to the bathroom where Norma meets him, dressed unusually again, this time looking like Bonnie from Bonnie and Clyde. He makes her leave through the bathroom window and wait for him in his car. Norma sees Madeline through the car window. “She’s like me, but ten years younger. Are you gonna be one of those guys?”
Norma/n decides to go out for a drink and tells the bartender how difficult it is caring for a mentally ill person who doesn't even like her anymore.
The end is about as dramatic as it can get. Caleb discovers Norma's body in the freezer. Norman dressed as Norma hits him over the head. As Caleb goes down Chick, who followed him to the house, says “Holy shit!” “Well, now you know, Chick. I’m still alive,” says Norma/n, blonde wig and all.
It's a small point, but is anyone else confused as to why Norman can dress his mother so elegantly in his mind but wear such an ugly dress to be her?
Wow! Some of this episode has been farcically comical, but the end is as terrifying as they come. Norman please don't kill Chick. He's a great character.
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