Bates Motel - Unconscious (Season Finale) - Review: "Fate"

 
   Bates Motel concluded its thirds season last Monday with “Unconscious”. It was a great season episode, quite not the season finale I expected but it was still very enjoyable for most of its parts. The final scene probably made up for the rest of the episode. Watching Freddie Highmore interpreting Mother again was really great, so Psycho of him. Of course, he had to kill Bradley, she only came back to die, no shocker here but the way it happened, how we watched Norman and Mother’s talk and witnessed Mother actually killing Bradley, not Norman, was so revealing of his troubled inner psychology. Can’t wait to see more of Mother… next season.

   I very much enjoyed Norman and Norma’s dynamic in this last episode. After spending three seasons denying what was wrong with Norman, Norma finally accepted he was troubled, he needed help as she wouldn’t be always there for him. She talked about it with Dylan and she actually went to visit an institution. I was much surprised by Norma, and proud of her. I understand it must have been so hard for her but in the end, she knew Norman needed medical attention.
   Norma’s scene at the institution was actually fun. I loved her behavior so much, she was so reluctant even if she knew it was the right thing to do. Norman wasn’t even admitted she was already asking for visitation time. I don’t think Norman’s doctor would allow her to visit him whenever she’d want to. And mostly, Norma wanted to know ho wmuch it will cost her.

   Norman went back at the motel and Norman followed her to their house, where she finally sat down and talked to him. Of course, Norman didn’t react well to the institution news. He was feeling hurt by his mother’s decision, he took it as she gave up on him. She was willing to abandon him, to give him up to doctors. It was actually the opposite, she cared too much for him and she was trying to help him before he ends up in jail. She was scared to put him in a medical place but it was even scarier not to do anything and to let Norman with his blackouts, alone at the motel all day and night, waiting for him to murder someone new.
   What Norma didn’t know (yet) was that Bradley was at the motel and she had a plan for Norman and her. After breaking in her former house, she stole her mother’s money and jewelry and she trashed the place. Poor Bradley, she had no place in this world anymore, she had to make her own place. She decided to go away, with the money and with Norman. At first, he was reluctant but after what Norma told him, maybe a life with Bradley would be better than a life in a mental institution. So, Norman said yes and he was ready to leave everything to be with Bradley and start a new life. And that was when we all understood he was going to die...

   Norman’s little secret didn’t stay secret very long, Norma found him making his suitcase and they argued strongly. Norman basically broke up with his mom and she was upset. Then, he told her, he was going away with Bradley, Norma was really concerned. It was so tragic to watch them misunderstanding. Norman never told Norma Bradley faked her suicide so she thought he was having one of his episodes, imagining Bradley being real. Norma had no choice but to hurt Norman violently so he wouldn’t leave.
   He wasn’t unconscious for long, but long enough for Norma to get him to the basement and tied him up. I was surprised Norma would go so far on Norman. She was really nervous and scared so she called Dylan. Dylan came at the house but Norman was already gone. He went out of the basement and went away with Bradley. And that was when Dylan finally revealed to Norma that Bradley was actually alive. Norman wasn't crazy about going away with her.... Damn, this secret messed everything up. If only Norma would have known…

Norman, still shocked by what his mother did went with Bradley and of course, things didn’t go very well. He wasn’t feeling well. His mother basically wanted him out of her life, placed in an institution and then she hurt him in the head. That was disturbing, even more for Norman. So, Bradley didn’t have much chance and she had no idea. Her new dream life wouldn’t last very long unfortunately.
   Norman started to talk with Mother, sitting in the back of the car. It was really creepy to watch him talk with Mother and watching Bradley wondering what the hell was happening. Mother took over Norman’s body and attacked Bradley, because she was a threat. She wanted to have sex with Norman, she wanted to leave town with Norman. She was taking him away from Mother, it was such a big change for Norman and clearly he wasn’t ready to do it. He was angry and upset at his mother for what she wanted to do, but still he couldn’t actually leave her behind. He needed her.
   Mother took care of Norman’s inner conflict and attacked Bradley, killing her. She eliminated the threat, and left Norman alone, afraid and lost. It was such a tragic ending, Bradley didn’t deserve to die like that, she should have never returned. And Norman was so touching, losing his mind and struggling with his bloody hands and Bradley's body. At least, Bradley was already offically dead so his murder would be easier to hide, as Norman threw her car, with her body in it, into the ocean… If Norma knew, she would definitely put him in an institution after that. Can’t wait for next season !

   Norman murdered someone else, again, but this time Romero wouldn’t be implicated. He’s already done so much for the Bates family, especially for Norma. This week again in “Unconscious”, Alex helped Norma in a way he could, and that satisfied him. The DEA was going to raid Bob and take him into custody. He could have talked about Norman and his father, about everything he knew, to make a deal. It was a threat and so Alex eliminated it.
   Alex and Norma’s scene at the motel was so emotional, so tragic. As Norma said, they were doomed. They deserved to be together and to be happy but life never left them a real chance to do so. Norma would always prioritize her son over anyone and Alex would never settle for no more than the whole truth. He can’t live with the lies, Norma can’t face the truth … but they deeply care for each other. So tragic. I really hope next season they will continue their weird and unique relationship. I don’t think it could end, fate keeps playing with them, pulling them apart and then bringing them closer.
   Alex killing Bob on his boat was a nice call back to the season one finale. It was the only and right choice to make. Bob had to die, even if he was about to leave town, change his identity and forget everything about Norma Bates, he was a risk Romero couldn't let go. And when Bob started to point out how much Romero looked like his father, he signed his death sentence. Bob was a great character, I loved to hate him and now I’m satisfied with his end.
 

   Other parts of the episode focused on Emma and Dylan and I must admit it was my least favorite part of the season finale. I love Dylan and Emma, they’re both great and profound characters. They’re the most normal and the sanest people on this show, but the idea of pairing them together as a couple never felt right for me. They have a great chemistry.... as friends, not lovers. For me, Dylan acted like a big brother for Emma, he wanted to protect her, to make sure she’d be okay. So, their kiss felt weird for me. (Or maybe I'm still not over my crush on Max Thieriot and I'm just being jealous)
   Emma questioning whether or not receiving the transplant felt a little like the writers were trying to buy some time for Dylan and her. Emma wanted to have control over her body, over her health so she wasn’t thrilled about the transplant. Seriously ? Her body could reject the lungs and she could die, I get it can be scary but she never had any control over her body and her health. Her lungs could get worse quickly and she could die. The transplant is her hope and chance to live. I really didn’t get her reaction, I really thought she’d be more excited. Anyways, I'm not sure if I want to find them as a couple when season 4 will start. Emma was a great character but IMO it's time for her to go.

   “Unconscious” was an excellent season finale, it wasn’t as crazy as I expected it but the final scene of Norman/Mother killing Bradley was the best moment of the season… even of the series. We finally got to see more of what’s happening inside Norman’s head, how he sees the world around him. The apparition of Mother and her taking over Norman was such a surprising and thrilling move. Our Norman never felt closer to the Psycho Norman Bates. The future seasons are going to be crazy good !
What did you think of "Unconscious" ? And what are your thoughts on the season ? Hit the comments !

About the Author - Romain Ossust

I'm a 29 TV addict. Here is a non exhaustive list of my favorite shows : 12 Monkeys, Ab Fab, 24, Alias, American Horror Story, Banhsee, Bates Motel, Black Sails, Carnivale, Daredevil, Daria, Dead Like Me, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, ER, Fargo, Fringe, Game of Thrones, Girls, Grey’s, Hannibal, Homeland, HIMYM, HTGAWM, Looking, Lost, Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, Medium, OUAT, OUAT Wonderland, Orange is the New Black, Orphan Black, Pan Am, Penny Dreadful, Person of Interest, Power, Pushing Daisies, Raising Hope, Rectify, Reign, Scandal, Sex & The City, Six Feet Under, Sleepy Hollow, Spartacus, The 100, The Affair, The Americans, The Big C, The Fall, The Killing, The Leftovers, The Missing, The Strain, The Tudors, The Walking Dead, Transparent, True Blood, True Detective, Tyrant, Ugly Betty, United States of Tara, Utopia, V, Veronica Mars, Weeds.
For SpoilerTV, I'm reviewing The Walking Dead, Banshee, American Horror Story, Bates Motel, Girls, & Orphan Black

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