Bates Motel - S4E4 - Lights of Winter

Previously on Bates Motel, ‘‘Til Death Do You Part’

By the end of this week’s episode Norman seems to have finally accepted that he needs help, but I’m not sure if I like the way he got there. Norman believes he’s going to be released any moment because the police will be looking into his mother for the murders, but Dr. Edwards informs him he’ll remain in treatment while the police look into Norman’s claims.

This leads petulant Norman to escape with Justin, who leads him to a strip bar. Everything from this point forward felt so ridiculous I was certain it was a dream sequence. The two underage guys are not only allowed inside, they’re each spirited away to VIP rooms where their respective strippers promise anything they want. This sensual encounter triggers “Norma” and Norman shames the girl for her life choices. I never believed Norman would use the screwdriver he had to harm her because nothing about the scene felt real.

Still, when Dr. Edwards arrives to collect him, Norman realizes he’s blacked out and with no Norma around to blame, he asks Edwards for help.

Norma is in full nurture mood after her night with Romero. She makes him breakfast; he asks her out on another date. This time Norma passes to travel to Portland and visit Emma.

While she’s gone, Romero goes into the town’s only bank to open a new account for him and Norma. Rebecca point blank asks if he killed Bob Paris and tells Romero about a second key needed to enter Paris’ secret safety deposit box, which holds $3 million. Romero plays ignorant about both things.

When Norma later surprises Romero at the town’s carnival, Rebecca takes that opportunity to creepily introduce herself to Norma. Between that and the fact that the couple finds their home ransacked, something tell me Rebecca doesn’t believe Romero’s innocence.