Bates Motel - S5E3 - Bad Blood

Previously on Bates Motel, “The Convergence of the Twain”

Caleb and Chick each play along in order to survive knowing Norman’s secret. Caleb even sees Norma a few times when he’s speaking to Norman - probably due to his head injury. He doesn’t beg for his life, instead he apologizes for all the pain he’s caused her. In a sad, fucked up way, this feels like closure for Caleb. Bates Motel hasn’t received nearly enough credit for daring to present the tragic and complicated relationship between Norma Louise and Caleb. Of course, when you watch the way Norman plays Norma with Caleb, she doesn’t care for her brother at all. Well, just enough that she refuses to be the one to kill him; she wants Norman to do it.

All of the help Chick has given Norman over the past few months have worked in his favor when Norman confronts him as himself and as Norma. Chick convinces them both that he will keep their secret, and refuses to release Caleb from the basement. He even goes so far as to prepare dinner for the Bates, and goes along with the most awkward dinner party ever - even worse than that time Norma had Romero, Caleb, Dylan, Emma, and Norman at the same table.

What does Chick hope to get out of this? A bestseller, of course. He’s secretly recording his conversations with Norman/Norma and bought a typewriter to old-school bang out the story. Can’t say I blame the guy. This story would make a helluva movie.

When Norman can’t kill Caleb, but lets him go instead, Norma chases after her fleeing brother with a gun. Caleb runs into the road where Chick accidentally hits him with his car.

Meanwhile, Romero escapes his prison transport, only to be shot for trespassing. Damn.