Bates Motel
Season 3 Episode 9: “Crazy”
Directed by Tucker Gates
Written by Steve Kornacki, Alyson Evans & Torrey Speer
Starring Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Nestor Carbonell, Olivia Cooke, Kenny Johnson
A&E
Air Date: Monday, May 4th, 2015, 9pm

Last week on Bates Motel, the “pit” in question was a 23-ft deep monstrosity, that Norma (Vera Farmiga) thought meant Bob Paris (Kevin Rahm) was playing ball, but actually didn’t. In fact, he had his goons grab Norma’s little shrink/lover James (Joshua Leonard) to get the goods on her. And since she confessed all while on her bender, he had a lot to give up. Bob went straight to Romero (Nestor Carbonell) with this info. Needless to say, Romero is not pleased. Norman (Freddie Highmore) was really upset about what James said about him wanting his own mother. Come on, Norman! It cannot be that unbelievable to you. Caleb (Kenny Johnson) and Dylan (Max Thieriot) almost get killed gun running for Chick (Ryan Hurst). Caleb DID try to warn Dylan, but he couldn’t see past the money he needed to save Emma (Olivia Cooke).

Bates Motel
Season 3 Episode 8: “The Pit”
Directed by Roxann Dawson
Written by Bill Balas
Starring Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Nestor Carbonell, Olivia Cooke, Kenny Johnson
A&E
Air Date: Monday, April 27th, 2015, 9pm

Last week on Bates Motel, it really felt like “The Last Supper.” Romero (Nestor Carbonell) jumped into the crazy pool, blasted Marcus, and left him as a dead present for Bob (Kevin Rahm). He gets the flash drive from Gunnar and it shows his mother’s name. Now he has even more questions. The answers are definitely in the bottom of a bottle. Dylan (Max Thieriot) finds out that a $20,000 transplant could save Emma (Olivia Cooke) so he jumps at the chance to do a $25,000 gun running job for Chick (Ryan Hurst). Dylan asks Emma out, but Norma (Vera Farmiga) wants to have a family dinner. Caleb (Kenny Johnson) brings flowers over, so she invites him in. Drunk Romero was sleeping it off, but now is invited too. Norman (Freddie Highmore) is not happy about all this male attention on Norma. There’s even singing!

The last scene shows Norman sliding his hand over his sleeping mother’s nightgown clad hip. Gross!

Bates Motel
Season 3 Episode 7: “The Last Supper”
Directed by Ed Bianchi
Written by Philip Buiser
Starring Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Nestor Carbonell, Olivia Cooke, Kenny Johnson
A&E
Air Date: Monday, April 20th, 2015, 9pm

Each episode of Bates Motel builds momentum to an expected crescendo finish. Before we review the 7th episode of this buildup, let’s recap what happened last week.

Norma (Vera Farmiga) flipped out when Dylan (Max Thieriot) told her Caleb (Kenny Johnson) had been staying with him at the farm. Norman (Freddie Highmore) stood by his brother in a rare choosing of sides. That levelheadeness did not last long when Norma packed a suitcase and left, crashing her car, buying some “come get me” clothes, and checking into a (different) motel. This triggered a giant Norman episode, complete with his “Norma” personality mothering Dylan. Emma (Olivia Cooke) stayed to help, and she and Dylan had a moment (over phlegm). Norma slept with her therapist/lover then ran back home.

Bates Motel
Season 3 Episode 6: “Norma Louise”
Directed by Phil Abraham
Written by Kerry Ehrin
Starring Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Nestor Carbonell, Olivia Cooke, Kenny Johnson
A&E
Air Date: Monday, April 13th, 2015, 9pm

Bates Motel 3.6 “Norma Louise” review coming up in a few moments. First – let’s recap last week’s episode.

Last week’s 3.5 “The Deal” found Norma (Vera Farmiga) trying to play with the big boys. After Dylan’s friend cracked the secret of the USB, she dragged Romero (Nestor Carbonell) with her to blackmail Bob Paris (Kevin Rahm). He seemed amenable to her demands. I don’t believe his sincerity though. Norman (Freddie Highmore) told Dylan (Max Thieriot) that he revealed Caleb (Kenny Johnson) was staying at the farm, only… he never did. Dylan confessed to Norma with Norman offering moral support. Needless to say she did not take it well.

Bates Motel
Season 3 Episode 5: “The Deal”
Directed by Nestor Carbonell
Written by Scott Kosar
Starring Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Nestor Carbonell, Olivia Cooke, and Kenny Johnson.
A&E
Air Date: Monday, April 6th, 2015, 9pm

Before we get to the Bates Motel episode 5 review, let’s recap last week’s episode. Beware of spoilers!

“You betrayed mother. She needs to know,” Norman (Freddie Highmore) tells Dylan (Max Thieriot) after finding Caleb (Kenny Johnson) at his farm. Dylan had just finished patching Caleb up after a nasty fall and tearful confession filled with regret, when Norman showed up. Norma (Vera Farmiga) and the whole crew is in danger from the big players in town after Annika shows up, hands Norma a flash drive, and dies. Romero now has to investigate two dead girls who are connected to the Arcanum Club and that “missing” USB drive.