Bates Motel Season 3 Epi 1 Review: That Escalated Quickly (Season Premiere)

It seems like a long time since we caught up with the residents of White Pine Bay. As you may recall from the finale, the heads of the two drug families (Ford, Zane and Jodi) are dead. Good. That was boring. I know we have to add peripheral characters/stories but the only two reasons I watch "Bates Motel" are: 1. Norman's slow descent into Mother; and 2. The relationship between Norma and Norman (it's totally dysfunctional and great television viewing).

Uncomfortable

"Death In The Family" opens with Norman and Norma sleeping in the same bed together (as usual). Dylan reminds Norma that Norman is 18 years old and shouldnt be sleeping with her. She says it's completely innocent. Norma drives Norman to school. He's been on summer break. It's his first day back for senior year. He refuses to get out of the car. She starts screaming and drags him out of the car in front of all the other students. How embarrassing. Crazy Norma is the best!

While Norman eats lunch (alone) he hallucinates Miss Watson who quotes him poetry until he throat is slit. He runs straight home to Norma. She decides he can be home schooled. Norman will become motel manager instead. OK but that doesnt seem like much of a promotion to me. You better ask about the 401k plan Norman.

Meanwhile a lawyer calls saying Norma's mother has died. She's not interested in hearing about her estate since they havent spoken in 20 years. Sheriff Romero and Dylan have a chat at the cafe. Dylan just wants to have a little (legal) pot farm where he can make a living helping people with glaucoma and anxiety disorders. Romero says if they're not working together, he cant protect Dylan. We all know where this is leading.

There's a new guest at Bates Motel. And of course it's a young attractive woman named Annika who works at "parties". Uh oh.

Dylan & His Daddy/Uncle

Dylan's dad and Norma's brother(Caleb) is still around. He tries to give him some money from the sale of his mom's estate. Dylan refuses to take the money. Caleb's car breaks down. I assume Caleb will be hanging around a while.

Norma tells Norman he needs to sleep in his own bed. Norman doesnt take it well. Later Norma reverses course just this one time because she's sad over her mother's death. Talk about mixed messages.

Emma, Take Your Oxygen Tank and Run Away Immediately!

Emma tells Norman that she is getting sicker. He suggests that she home school with him. She likes the idea. Norman also suggests that they date. I fear for poor Emma's life if she gets too close to this crazy family.

Norman goes with Annika to help her find her "party". Emma waits a while and then finally goes home. In the last scene, Annika's car pulls back into the motel. Norman is driving it and Annika is nowhere to be seen. Well that escalated quickly. Is she really dead? If so, Mother seems to have quickly taken control. At this rate Norman may kill Norma by the end of the season. Oh no. I love Norma but all know how the story ends... and it ain't pretty.

Favorite Quotes:

Caleb: "You got a spare radiator hose?" Dylan: "On me, on my person? No."
"You're the hotel manager now Norman. You cant be skulking around in the dark peering into guest's bathrooms. It's not normal!"- Norma.
"Oh and by the way my mother died"- Norma to Norman

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Sure it was a little slow but the show had to reintroduce us to the plot. Norma and Norman's relationship is as dysfunctional as ever. Norman's mental illness seems to have progressed during the break. I cant wait to see what craziness is in store for us this year.