Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 10 Review: "Norman" Has Passed The Point Of No Return (Season Finale)

Last week I was in denial about Norma's fate. Surely, she was OK. Maybe she was in a coma? Maybe she woke up right after the camera panned away? Maybe it was all a dream of Norman's? But now I must accept the fact that Norma is dead, dead, dead.

Norman of course survived and Romero is none too happy about it. The scene in the hospital where he threw Norman up against the wall was super tense. Alex visiting the morgue and putting the wedding ring back on his wife's finger was devastating.

And how about that funeral? First of all, Norman didnt tell anyone about it. Surely a few of the townsfolk would have shown up. As would Dylan (provided Norman told him his mother was dead). Instead it's just Norman and the delightfully strange Wilcock family. Norma talks about how wonderful Norma was. Alex storms in and beats the crap out of Norman. Hit him again, I say.

Romero heads back to the police station to retrieve a gun. He's going to end Norman once and for all. Unfortunately the feds show up and arrest Alex for perjury for lying about his relationship with Rebecca. Luckily they dont know about his other misdeeds (so far). Have no fear. Alex will be back to avenge Norma's death.

Meanwhile Norman sets the table for two and eats alone. He smashes the big screen TV that Alex bought. A cop arrives to see him kicking it down the stairs. Despite her suspicions, Norman is able to win her over. He's just an emotionally devastated teenager after all.

Norman later digs up his mother and drives you back to the house. He lugs her up the long stairs and puts her on the couch. He has convinced himself she is faking death to get away from Romero (so she and Norman can be together). Norman screams at her to open her eyes. When that doesnt work he uses taxidermy glue to hold her eyelids up. Her cold dead blue eyes stare at him. That definitely gave me the creeps. I dont want to see Norma like that! There's a knock at the door. Chick offers his condolences and brings a casserole. He sees Dead Norma on the couch. Chick reminds Norman that his mother is indeed dead.

After Chick leaves Norman becomes distraught because Norma wont speak to him. He puts a gun in his mouth and plans to pull the trigger. Just then he hears Juno barking. Norma is playing the piano. It's "I'll Be Home For Christmas". Lights and decorations are all around. The camera pulls away from the house and the motel. Norman is hopelessly lost in his delusion.

Favorite Quotes:

"You know she's dead right?"- Chick to Norman after seeing his dead mother on the couch.
"You cant just leave me here Mother. You can't just leave me here alone."- Norman.
Norman: "What are you going to do? Kill me in the hallway? Alex: "I'm going to prove you did it, you piece of shit!"
Mr Wilcock (funeral home director): "I think it would be best if you leave. I dont want to have to call the police." Romero: "I am the police, dumbass!"

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). Perfection! Despite being devastated by Norma's death, "Norman" was an excellent episode. Could Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga be any more talented? My hat is off to you "Bates Motel". I never saw that coming so soon. I do question the wisdom of killing off Norma now though. Wouldn't it have been better to do closer to the ending of season 5? As it is, we have one whole season with Norman, Dead Norma and Juno. Will they expand upon "Psycho"? Whatever it is, I'll still be watching but I'm a little less enthused since Norma is gone. Curse you "Bates Motel" for making us love her and then yanking her away!