Bates Motel Season 3 Episodes 4-5 Reviews: The WiFi Password Is MOTHER, All Caps

Not a great lot happened in episode 4 "Unbreakable". Norman spends most of his time being a brat to Norma. He kisses Emma in front of her. He declares the house his. He and Emma play hooky and go on a date but Norma previously told Norman they couldn't have sex because it might kill Emma. Upon hearing that, Emma says "I didnt think your mother was coming on this date with us" and storms out. That poor girl. She really should get far, far away from these people.

This Is Uncomfortable For Everyone Involved (Including Me)

Norma runs around trying to find the password for Annika's thumb drive. No, it's not "sexcrazed". And that kid in the coffee shop doesnt want to help either. Romero is still searching for clues about the two murdered girls. Annika was driving the other girl's car so that are definitely connected. Goons from the Arcanum Club shows up at the motel and start rifling through stuff. They tell Dylan to give them "it" or else.

Caleb falls while working on the cabin and is injured. Dylan wants to take him to the hospital but it's a no go. There is a warrant out for Caleb's arrest. What did he do? I wonder if it's murder? This is one crazy family. Speaking of which, Caleb relays how he really loved Norma when they were younger saying "you cant help who you love". Uh, yes you can Caleb if she's your sister...just saying.

At the end of the episode Norman finds out Caleb is staying with Dylan and goes ape shit. He says he must tell Mother and drives off screaming. Dylan begs him to stop since they just made up after being estranged for several years. Norman doesnt care. He says "Mother" needs to know (but mostly I think he's just jealous of Dylan's mended relationship with Norma).

In episode 5 "The Deal" Norma's car is run off the road. The guy circles back and tells her to call Bob Paris (president of the Arcanum Club) immediately. They want the thumb drive. Tom doesnt even try to hide what he is looking for from Romero. Meanwhile we know that it's hidden in Dylan's house behind an electrical outlet.

It turns out Norman did NOT tell Norma about Dylan and Caleb after all (because he had another blackout). Dylan confronts him saying he will tell Norma but on his own time.

Dont Get Too Cozy

The psychology professor we met earlier (James) gives Norma a ride (since her car is in the shop after the accident). I dont trust that guy. He's too friendly.

Nothing Unusual To See Here

Norman steals one of Norma's dresses and sniffs it. When she calls for him, he hides it under his mattress. Uh oh, we're getting closer and closer to "Mother".

Gunner finds the hidden thumb drive behind the electrical outlet. Since he apparently knows his way around "encrypted shit" he opens it. We learn it contains documentation of a $15 million pot deal and some prominent Arcanum members. That's it...seriously? I was SO hoping for something worse.

Chick finds Caleb in the woods beating up a tree. The wierdo finally wears Caleb down and they have a drink. Chick says he has a dangerous job for Caleb. And, oh yeah, Chick LOVES boar jerky. LOVES IT! I myself have never had boar jerky but bacon jerky is to die for.

Norma Is The Queen Of Tearful Hugging

Romero finds a dead guy in a car. Next Norma shows up at his house. She wants him to take her to Bob Paris. He says "no" initially but she finally wears him down after she beats up his door and has a breakdown (classic Norma). Off they go to see Bob. After some negotiating, they come to an agreement. Bob will get the flash drive and Norma will get the bypass stopped, billboards for her motel, a nice pool with a jacuzzi and a fence around it. That Norma drives a hard bargain. And the look on Romero's face and she kept suggesting more and more items was priceless.

That Norma Is Strangely Compelling

Norma arrives home. Dylan and Norman tell her about Caleb. It doesnt go as well as they had hoped. Norma freaks out, grabs her suitcase and a gun and drives away with Norman running behind screaming "M-O-T-H-E-R" at the top of his lungs. I hope she comes back next week. Norma by far the best part of this show.

Favorite Quotes:

"You could kill her Norman. If you hurt that girl, I swear I'll kick your ass to the moon and back."- Norma about Emma.
"You cant help who you love."- Caleb about Norma.
"I didnt think your mother was coming on this date with us."- Emma to Norman.
"The password to the wifi is MOTHER, all caps"- Emma to a motel guest. Best line so far of the season!
"M-O-T-H-E-R"- Norman screams as Norma zooms away in her car with suitcase, trash basket of toiletries and a loaded gun in tow.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Watching Norman become more unhinged (yes sniffing his mother's dress is so wrong) and Norma's various meltdowns (once at Romero's and then at home with the boys) was great. "Bates Motel" is best when its over the top crazy.