REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 4 Episode Nine 'Forever'

 REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 4 Episode Nine 'Forever'

The strongest bond Norman (Freddie Highmore) has is to his mother (Vera Farmiga). It goes without saying that the pair have an extremely close bond, often sharing the same bed and sharing an intimacy between each other which is clearly not natural for a mother and son relationship. They operate more like a husband and wife, in fact, rather than anything else. So it was really no surprise when Norman took such a strong stance towards Norma's relationship with Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell) earlier in the season.

It's something that gets me more and more concerned for Alex, as Norman is clearly not very happy with his married situation with Norma. The way he discusses his feelings with his therapist Doctor Gregg Edwards (Damon Gupton), it is almost like a husband discussing his wife. In Norman's eyes, 'Mother's relationship with Alex is effectively a marital affair, with Norman the man being cheated upon by his partner's actions. Their relationship is somewhat unnatural and unorthodox, and something and which has always been one of the most interesting aspects of this Psycho prequel.

It's not hard to see how Norman ends up the way he does, with his mental problems never resolved by the time of the Hitchcock classic. Norma is negligent with a capital 'N'. By this point it feels like everybody is trying to warn her, from Alex to her other son Dylan (Max Thieriot), and she just shuts them out because she doesn't want to admit that Norman still has a problem - or is she just a tiny bit scared of him? In a less capable person's hands, this could have the impact of making Norma appear unlikeable and uncaring of the lives she is placing in danger by not taking her son's mental situation more seriously, but here it is treated in a way that is both understandable and sympathetic. Of course Norma would want to believe Norman is recovering, because at the end of the day he is still her son. It's a mother exacting her loyalty on behalf of her own flesh and blood, making it a tricky situation for all involved. 

It doesn't mean it hurts any less however when she places her wedding ring in an envelope for Alex. Alex and Norma's romance is one of my favourites on this show, because it feels so natural, and the actors possess so much chemistry with one another. They make for an instantly believable couple, and it's so emotionally heartbreaking to see Norma choose her son over him. She's been made over and over again to sacrifice her own happiness in order to please Norman Bates, and it feels so unjust and unfair towards her. This isn't how she should have to live her life in the slightest.

Things get disturbing again with Norman when he finds Emma's (Olivia Cooke) Mum Audrey's case in the basement, and proceeds to try on her dress, before burying the suitcase outside the motel. It's quite disturbing how Norman seems to remember what he did, and yet just doesn't seem to care. He shows no guilt or remorse for his actions, essentially becoming this unthinking and unfeeling monster, not displaying a shred of that humanity that he has shown when conversing with his friend Emma Decody. As Hitchcock told us all those years ago, Norman is a psycho, and there's not much that stops somebody of that mindset.

Only that's not the most creepy thing to happen here. No, by this point the worst is still to come. For Norman, right at the end of the episode, decides to light the broken furnace, closing every vent but the one in the bedroom, essentially gassing himself and 'Mother' with the fumes. It's like a more twisted take on Romeo And Juliet, only instead of star-crossed lovers across divided households it's a deadly form of incest. It's the ultimate portrayal of the notion that Norma is this figure who has been ensnared by her own son; she can't have other meaningful relationships, because Norman sees only himself in his mother's life, and it's that extreme dedication to 'Mother' that ultimately leads to Norma's potential downfall. It seems she could be dead as Alex attempts CPR, although I seriously doubt that's the case, as I would be shocked if Norma isn't in the fifth season.

Alex, it's safe to say, is not having a good day in this episode. Not only does he have all the stuff concerning Norman to contend with, but his former love interest Rebecca Hamilton (Jaime Ray Newman) has been wired, and is trying to divulge information from him regarding Bob Paris to the police. I like that they showcase Alex's skills as a police sheriff here; his past experiences means that he notices the signs straight away of a wired individual, and realises that the police are listening in. It's a good use of the character's inherent experience, conveying a figure who is believable as somebody who ranks high up in the police force.

Overall, 'Forever' is an excellent dive into the ongoing psychological problems concerning Norman Bates. It's an episode that creates a brilliant sense of peril when Norma in immediate danger, and continues to make life hard for Alex, which allows the screenplay to utilise his police skills and experience. 'Forever' sets up the fourth season finale nicely, for what will surely prove to be an eventful end to the penultimate season.

What are your thoughts on the ninth episode of Bates Motel's fourth season? Let me know in the comments.