Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 2 Review: "Goodnight Mother" Is One Of The Best Episodes In The Series

Norman awakens from a good night's sleep. Unfortunately he doesnt remember any of the previous day's events. Norma continues to try to get him into Pineview Psychiatric Institute.

Romero takes some of his hidden drug money and bribes the hospital administrator into taking Norman. Alex really does have it bad for Norma. Remember she proposed to him last week (for insurance purposes only). I hope those two get together and have a little happiness before Norman kills them both.

Norma finds Norman in the basement. He has flashbacks of Norma dragging Audrey (Emma's mom) down to the basement and stuffing her in the freezer. Of course it was done by his "Mother" persona instead. When Norman opens the freezer, she's not there (but all the dead animals that were in the freezer are strewn about). Norman confronts Norma. Norma realizes just how disturbed her son truly is. She crawls into the pit outside to look for Audrey but finds nothing.

Dylan is still with Emma at the hospital. Her breathing tube is removed. She seems to be on the road to recovery. I would suggest they both stay in Seattle/Portland/Wherever They Are in order to avoid being killed.

The truly sad part about this show is that Norma and Norman really do love each other. Yes, it's waaaay abnormal but it's still love. Each thinks the other has done horrible deeds and is trying to protect him/her. Over dinner, Norman snaps and says "There's something dark inside you mother. Something that needs to be stopped." He blames her for the deaths of Audrey, Bradley, Ms Watson and Norman's father. He believes she killed them and is trying to frame Norman for the murders.

Norma then goes bat shit crazy. If I didnt know the show had been renewed, I would have thought he might kill Norma on the spot. That's how frightening he was. Norman chases Norma upstairs. She locks herself in the attic and calls Alex. Norman needs to be admitted to the psych hospital ASAP!

When Norma emerges she again finds Norman in the basement. He has the hospital admission papers. He plans to shoot Norma and then himself. Luckily Romero and a deputy arrive in the nick of time. Norma convinces Norman to sign the papers. He's headed to Pineview (instead of the horrible county hospital). Of course, he's not there yet. Will he attack Alex on the way? Another cool twist would be if Norman signing Norma's name on the papers instead. Or better yet if he signed them as "Mother".

In related news, Norman would be excellent in the hospitality industry (other than the occasional murder). Anyone care to bet if the nice family that just checked in will make it to their final destination?

Favorite Quotes:

"There's something dark inside you mother. Something that needs to be stopped."- Norman.
"We're broken. We've tried. We want peace and happiness but the world won't let us."- Norman.
"I'm not the one doing crazy things mother!"- Norman.
"You need to destroy her Norman before she destroys you."- Norman's hallucinatory father.
"I'm afraid of you and I love you and that's a very frightening combination. You're not in your right mind and I think you're trying to sabotage me."- Norman to Norma.
"If you're going to be in hospitality and not be hospitable, what's the point?"- Norman.

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). Perfection! "Goodnight Mother" is filled with suspense and downright craziness. I would rate it as one of the best episodes thus far in the series. Norma is hit squarely in the face with the severity of Norman's illness. Norma and Norman are on a direct collision course with disaster.

I would seriously watch a show with just Vera Farmiga and Freddie Hightower locked in a room together. They're that good! More awards to both immediately please!