Bates Motel
Season 4 Episode 5: “Refraction”
Directed by Sarah Boyd
Written by Erica Lipez
Starring Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Nestor Carbonell, Olivia Cooke
A&E
Air Date: Monday, April 11th, 2016, 9pm

Last week on Bates Motel, Norman (Freddie Highmore) called Dylan (Max Thieriot) to warn him about Norma (Vera Farmiga), but Dylan just tries to soothe him. Norma definitely is starting to like her new husband, and even goes to the Winter festival with him. Rebecca is sniffing around Romero (Nestor Carbonell) about Bob and money. Norman’s new bestie Julian drags him out for the night (after quite the easy escape), but a strip club is not Norman’s idea of fun. But it is Norma’s (great scene). The boys get caught and Norman breaks down to Dr. Edwards. He (and we) feel very sorry for Norman’s anguish.

Spoilers below.

Bates Motel 4.5 “Refraction” review: Norman seems to really be trying hard in therapy. He’s confessing to the obvious insane parts, and self-analyzing. He asks permission to call Emma, but of course he leaves a message for Norma (we think). Then, as he is walking the grounds, Norma shows up and it is a nice reunion, even though of questionable reality.

Dylan goes on a job interview, and admits to being in marijuana production, as per Emma’s dad’s advice. Emma and Dylan compare scars and just act like a happy young couple, as well as any just-went-through-lung-transplant-surgery couple can be. Her scars really do look gross, like teeth with braces across her entire torso. Loved the Quint impression, Dylan!

Norma is starting to be stalked by Chick (Ryan Hurst). He poses as a stained glass repair guy, complete with sketches. He asks a lot of questions about Dylan, and she admits the Caleb brother thing. “Makes sense,” Chick says. Chick lets it all hang out with Norma by the end. He wants to know where Caleb is. She still is all sorts of confused about Caleb, but is just starting to be happy. She really doesn’t need this. I’m looking forward to Dylan coming back and jumping in this, as well as a possible Kenny Johnson sighting.

I still can’t get a read on the Chick character. Hurst is doing a brilliant job of not making us able to label him as a good guy, a bad one, a crazy one, or some combo.

Dr. Edwards tells Norman that the visit was in his head. Could’ve fooled me. But Bates Motel is really good at making us as crazy as Norman is. Norman turns into Norma just then, and outs himself (herself) to Dr. Edwards. He is a smart cookie and catches on real fast. This is the most compelling storyline of this season, and I just can’t compliment Freddie Highmore enough. Damon Gupton (Dr. Edwards) is also giving a giant performance in his gentleness.

Romero comes clean about the break-in to Norma.

“Did you kill Bob Paris?” His silence speaks volumes. He did it for her, and that brings them closer – #Normero.

Bates Motel airs Monday nights at 9:00pm ET on A&E.

Image Gallery

Videos

Bates Motel: ‘Alex Confides in Norma’ Sneak Peek | Mondays 9/8c | A&E

Alex tells Norma why the house was trashed, in this scene from Season 4, Episode 5, “Lights of Winter.”

Bates Motel: Season 4 Episode 5 Preview | Mondays 9/8c | A&E

Check out the Season 4 Episode 5 preview for #BatesMotel, Mondays 9/8c followed by Damien 10/9c