Bates Motel Season 4 Episodes 6-8 Reviews: Certain Things Can NEVER Change

Norman has officially crossed to line to which he will never return. Norman as "Mother" has been knocking off people for some time. But now Norman as "Norman" seems intent on putting an ax upside Romero's head. Things are about to turn really, really ugly.

In "The Vault" Chick tries to blackmail Norma into telling here where Caleb is. It looks like she might but then turns the tables on him. She threatens to shoot him but cant carry it out. We think Chick is going to spread her sorted news around town-- and he still might. For now, he brings the new window and kisses her on the cheek. Norma has a breakdown and tells Romero about her brother. Alex never falters and says he still loves her. What a guy! This whole episode should be on Vera Farminga's Emmy reel. I think she's goes through ever possible emotion in 60 minutes.

Over in Pineview, Norman continues to switch into Mother in front of Dr Edwards. Mother recalls an incident where Norma was raped by her husband while a young Norman was under the bed terrified. That was rough to watch. No wonder Norman doesnt like to remember things. Any bets as to how long before poor Dr Edwards is killed? It's sad since he seems like a really good guy.

In "There's No Place Like Home" Norman learns that Norma has wed (thanks to his paper mache dog in art therapy). Uh, the happy couple better enjoy their time together while they can. Mother is itching to kill one or both of them.

"Unfaithful" was by far the best episode of the three (and was also written by Freddie Highmore himself). Norman is home and everyone is going to pay. Norma confronts him about acting like a child. Norman retorts that she made him that way by preventing him from living a normal life. He does have a point.

The heat is out in the Bates mansion so Norman crawls into bed with Norma. They've done this hundreds of time before but now she feels uncomfortable with the situation. It's about time! A furnace repairman visits. He says there's a crack in the foundation of the furnace. It could have gassed everyone. Can we say "foreshadowing"? I bet this is what happens during the season finale.

There's a family outing. Norma and Norman fight amongst the Christmas trees. Norma finally admits that she "likes" Romero. Norman responds by throwing up. She blames it on his medication. Uh, no.

Everyone moves down to the motel until the heat is restored. Norma and Romero cozy up in a room. Norman spies on them by cutting a hole in the wall. This is the same hole he'll later use to spy on Marion Crane. The shot of his eye and tears flowing from it while he watched his mother was very effective.

The main event is dinner with Norma, Norman and Alex. It starts off well but quickly deteriorates. Norman doesnt want to play nice. He asks Norma to chose between them if they were on a sinking ship. She refuses saying they're not on a sinking ship. She has enough love to go around. Norman keeps badgering her. She finally says "I love him and he loves me and that's the way it is".

Norman storms out. Romero goes after him. Bad idea Alex. Bad idea! ...Especially since Norman is chopping wood. I was sure Romero was going to get an ax to the head when Norman screamed "I hate you! I have you! I hate you!". Luckily he destroys a door instead. Alex vows not to leave Norma alone. He has now seen the true face of Norman (but has yet to meet Mother).

Favorite Quotes:

"Certain things can never change. Things you know nothing about and never ever will."- Norman to Alex about his relationship with his mother.
"This is OUR world Mother."- Norman.
"Pfft!"- Norman and Norma.
"So I hear you and your husband are going to be cleaning up my basement."- Norman.
"I love him and he loves me and that's the way it is."- Norma to Norman about Romero.
"I'm a unicorn."- Alex to Norma.
"There's room in the heart for more than one person. It doesnt diminish how I feel for the other."- Norma tries to calm Norman.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"- Norman to Romero.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). After four years, the collision course with disaster is finally upon us. Unfortunately, we already knows who lives and who dies... unless "Bates Motel" decides to switch it up. Hmmm. I'm all in if they do. "Unfaithful" was absolute perfection. I've said it a million times but Vera and Freddie SERIOUSLY deserve some major awards. The ax scene had me screaming at my TV. Run Romero! Run For Your Life!

There are only 2 episodes left this season. The show will be back in 2017 but there's nothing to say that Norma has to live till then. She could be killed and reappear as Mother next year. I certainly hope not because I've grown very attached to Crazy Norma.