When it came time to do the TV Fanatic Report Card for Bates Motel Season 3, it was apparent the deck was stacked. Passing with flying colors, the best way to present this season was to point out all of reasons we love Bates Motel Season 3, because there were simply no negatives.
The closest we came was a semi-lackluster finale with Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 10, but even that propelled our beloved and whacked out Norman Bates right onto the path he's been destined to take, so it still receives high marks.
It's we're giving it a grade? It earns an A without question.
Find out what else wowed us and let us know if you agree.
1. Too Close for Comfort: Norman and Norma Sleep Together
On
Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 1 Norman started his progression to full on Psycho by peeking into windows in the motel and getting the manager job of the motel when his first day of school proves too daunting (his mind is playing too many tricks). Norman's relationship with Norma is a little too close and even though she knows it's not normal, she doesn't have the willpower to push him away. In fact, she needs him on a base level even she doesn't understand.
Norman's desire to be close with Mother becomes something different as the season progresses. Could Norma have stopped it by pushing him out of her bed? We'll never know. Watching them sleep together, however, it downright creepy. It's definitely too close for comfort.
2. Norma Grows to Trust Dylan
When Norma finds the flash drive in Annika's hand, it's Dylan to whom she turns. She's grown to trust him and as such, she relies on him to protect his brother, as well. When Norma has too much and leaves home, Dylan is there to hold Norman together, with Emma's help. Norma even trusts Dylan enough to allow Caleb back into her life, even if just a little bit. Dylan can share his thoughts about his father and Norman without fear he's risking the love of his mother for the first time in his life.
3. An Awkward Date: Norman and Emma
Actually, their entire "relationship" could be chalked up to the awkward column, but this date in particular was a doozy. When Emma remarked that Norman was a lot like Peter Pan because Norma wasn't allowing him to grow up, and he said he'd be Peter Pan if she would be Wendy and there was an allusion to sex, he made the most amazing half sigh, half grunt. It's too bad you can't make a gif with sound... Their relationship was short-lived, however, as Emma had eyes for Dylan and Norman? Well, he wants to be Mother. Talk about awkward!
4. Norman and Dylan Grow Closer
Despite the growing connection between Norma and Dylan, Norman still finds a way to reach out to Dylan on
Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 5. He admits to jealousy, but also that he doesn't want to be that person. He hates that person. It's a big deal because it was frightening to think Dylan might find himself on the wrong side of Norman and die as a result.
5. Brilliant Performance: Freddie Highmore as Norman
Freddie Highmore was simply brilliant in his portrayal of Norman this season. He delivered funny quips, dark stares, emotional outbursts and his version of Norman as Norma (Norman as he imagines her and not as she actually is). He was amazing. He managed to keep Norman sympathetic while he fell through the rabbit hole of madness. It's hard to pick the best performance, but pulling off his version of Norma holds a special place in all our hearts, doesn't it?
6. Persuasive Performance: Kenny Johnson as Caleb
The story we heard about Caleb should have made him the bad guy, but Kenny Johnson's portrayal of Caleb left room for doubt. It seemed he loved his son, Dylan, and when he explained his feelings for Norma and his guilt over his inability to just shut them off, it was impossible not to forgive him for having them.
It didn't hurt that Johnson and Max Thieriot could easily pass for father and son or that their dynamic was so powerful. Johnson has a way with the tears that rim his eyes and in the end, we really just wanted to see him get his opportunity to apologize to Norma as he wished.
