Bates Motel Season 3 Epi 3 Review: Mother Gives Really Bad Advice

In "Persuasion" Norma continues to suspect Norman has killed Annika. Romero calls Norma to the morgue to identify a dead body. Norma gets REALLY, REALLY close to the dead girl to make a positive ID. It's not Annika. That was both uncomfortable and funny.

Possible New Love Interest For Norma?

Norma heads off to college for the first time. In usual Norma fashion, she ends up in the wrong class and disses the psychology professor (James). He later recognizes her as a fellow damaged soul and offers his counseling services. She first throws out his card but then picks it up again. I love the way "Bates Motel", despite being a horror show, interjects humorous scenes. That's one of the reasons I keep coming back.

Yep We All Know How This Ends-- Even If We Dont Want It To

Norman tells Emma (who is looking hot this week) that his mother doesnt trust him. Norman has a meltdown and reminds Norma that she's the one who saved him from offing himself last season. He only stayed for her. Norman's "Mother" persona appears and suggests Norman stick his head under water in the tub. This will give him clarity as to what happened to Annika. "Mother" gives really bad advice. Luckily Norma kicks in the bathroom door-- ninja style. Norman is saved from drowning. Have I mentioned how awesome Norma is? She pulls Norman out of the tub and tucks him into bed.

I Really Hope Emma Doesnt Get Killed

Next Norma heads down to the motel and has a little breakdown of her own. She asks God for help. Poor Norma is trapped. Just then a call pulls up. It is Annika. She's not dead. She gives Norma a thumb drive. Then Annika dies. OK I'm pretty sure she's dead this time. What's on the drive? I bet it's about the creepy men's club (since apparently they're murdering girls).

In other news, a new guy (Marcus Young) shows up and want's Romero's sheriff job. The influential folk of White Pine Bay dont trust Romero anymore (since the DEA/ATF raid). But Romero isn't going down without a fight. And there was something about Dylan and Caleb and wood but I didnt care. Sorry, discussions about wood are boring.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). I would have given it a 3 1/2 since it was a little slow at times but extra bonus points for Emma and Norman. Emma uses a sexy outfit to get Norma's attention (for a few minutes). Also her cramming pot plants into her tiny orange VW and driving them to Caleb's place was a hilarious visual. Nothing conspicuous going on here. The other main theme this week is the downward spiral of Norma/Norma's relationship. Given the eventual outcome, it's painful to watch. I've really gotten to love Norma so I dont want her to die. Freddie Highmore's acting was stellar. He is able to depict the perfect balance of innocence, psychopath and confused hormone riddled teen (which is no easy task).