Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Norma Bates Vs A Highway Bypass Sign

"Arcanum Club" continues to lay the groundwork for season 3. Annika is still missing. Did Norman kill her or did those creeps at the men's club? Or maybe she's not dead at all.

This Doesnt Look Good

Norma has her suspicions about Norman since he's killed before...in fact several times. She and Emma go into Annika's hotel room and see an invitation to the Arcanum Club. Emma says it's a fancy invitation only club. Her father did some taxidermy work for them previously. Apparently they hire hookers since Annika came to town at their request. Norma does what any concerned mother would do. She dresses up in her finest and tries to crash the party. She doesnt get very far. Sheriff Romero finds her sneaking around in the bushes. He tells her to go home.

Friend Or Foe?

Dylan and Caleb meet a creepy neighbor named Chick Hogan. He tries laying down the law. Caleb isnt taking any of Chick's crap. That dude is going to be trouble. I just hope the pot growing in the country story doesnt mean we see lots less of Norma/Norman. They are what we're here for after all.

How Can We Get More Pretty Young Customers?

Meanwhile Emma and Norman go on a date. Emma wants to have sex. Norman not so much. He seems freaked out by the discussion. I was surprised at Emma's frankness. She accuses Norma of wanting to keep Norman a child forever. She asks if he wants to be Peter Pan. He says maybe a little if she will be Wendy. Hey I'll give it to Emma. Her CF is progressing and she doesnt have time to waste playing hard to get. The problem is Norman wants to have violent kinky sex (and/or our kill someone). Thanks goodness he sees Emma as a good girl... at least for now.

On the way home from the club Norma roughs up a construction sign. You'll remember from last season that the new highway is scheduled to bypass the motel (thus ruining the Bates' business). I always look forward to Norma coming completely unhinged. Last week we her drag Norman out of the car in front of the entire school. This week we have her rampaging through a construction site. Good times!

Norman returns home to have yet another emotional breakdown in front of Norman. I guess she wont be sleeping alone tonight. He says he's been worried about her behavior for some time. She feels the same way about him. Norman's last sentence to Norma is "it's all going to be OK". We know what that means.

Last but not least, who is the dead woman in the water? I dont think it's Annika. The Arcanum Club probably has killed lots of girls.

Other great moments:

The look on Norma's face when she found out Norman lied to her about Annika was priceless. All the acting awards should go to Vera Farmiga!
The hug between Norma and Romero was so awkwardly fun. I had forgotten that he was living at the motel for several months.
Norman's face when Norma got out of the car was demonic. I dont know Freddie Highmore can go from sweet to a monster in 10 seconds flat but my hat is off to you sir.

You Own A Motel. There Are Lots Of Other Empty Beds... Just Saying

Favorite Quotes:

"We're just close"- Norma about Norma. That's an understatement.
"I dont know why but unhinged women seem drawn to you"- Norma to Norman. You should know Norma. You should know.
"She doesnt strike me as a hiker."- Norma about Annika. That's Norma's way of saying the girl is a hooker.
"I hate you, you stupid piece of shit of a sign!"- Norman before pulverizing the Lee Berman Memorial Bypass highway sign.
Emma: "Do you want to be Peter Pan?" Norman: "Maybe if you'll be Wendy." Emma: "Peter Pan and Wendy never get to have sex."

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). A fast paced enjoyable episode. I am worried for Emma though. I hope Norman doesnt kill her. And my bet is Norman will go full psycho by the end of the season. He doesnt seem to be blacking out anymore.I assume that means he's aware of the bad stuff he does?