Complete listed story — includes the ending
Season 1
1. First You Dream, Then You Die
Widow Norma Louise Bates and her 17-year-old son, Norman, move from Arizona to the town of White Pine Bay, Oregon, where they buy a rundown motel six months after the sudden death of Norman's father Sam. Norma intends to reopen the motel in an attempt to build a new life. On his first day at his new high school, Norman befriends popular local girl, Bradley Martin, who takes him out for a night on the town with her friends. Norman also meets Miss Watson, his advanced English teacher. While Norman is out with Bradley for the evening, the motel's former owner, Keith Summers, breaks into the house and rapes Norma. Norman arrives back and knocks Keith out, before Norma murders him. The duo dump the body in the local harbor. That same night, Norma and Norman meet Sheriff Romero and Deputy Shelby, who show up to have a look around the motel for reasons unknown. In Room 4, Norman finds a sketchbook full of lurid drawings that show women being tortured. Similarly, a woman is seen drugged and chained somewhere, indicating that a sinister presence resides in the town. Norma renames the motel the Bates Motel.
2. Nice Town You Picked, Norma...
Tension arises when Dylan Massett, Norma's elder son from a different father than Norman, arrives in White Pine Bay to stay. Norman and Bradley witness her father get badly burned in a car accident. Meanwhile, Norman and his cystic fibrosis -stricken classmate, Emma Decody, look into the mystery of the sketchbook. Shelby suggests to Norma that the town's wealth is earned through illegal means, and that the whole town council and police force is in on a massive conspiracy. Norma sees a body hanging upside-down and on fire in the middle of town, witnessed by townspeople, showing "justice" is often resolved extrajudicially. Emma and Norman stumble upon a huge marijuana field hidden in the nearby forest and are chased away by two armed men, barely escaping.
3. What's Wrong with Norman
Norman passes out at school and is taken to the hospital. Norma is asked if he has experienced an episode like this before, to which she says no. Dylan states he has a new job, not mentioning it is guarding the marijuana field with his new partner, Ethan. Norma discharges Norman from the hospital, who tells her that he kept Keith's utility belt, which is now missing after the police carried out a property search. Dylan tells Norman to get out more and not let Norma smother him. Meanwhile, Shelby reveals to Norma that he took Keith's belt without Romero's knowledge, because he wants to protect her from being investigated for the disappearance; the two then kiss. Norman envisions his mother telling him to get the belt back; he then breaks into Shelby's house to retrieve it, but instead discovers that one of the women from the sketchbook is being held captive in Shelby's basement.
4. Trust Me
Shelby arrives home while Norman is still inside. Dylan, who had followed Norman to the house, distracts Shelby to give Norman enough time to escape. Norma tells Norman he sometimes sees and hears things that aren't real. With Emma unreachable, Norman draws more closely to Bradley, who is mourning the death of her father. Meanwhile, Romero finds a decomposing hand in the bay that has Keith's wristwatch attached to it. That same evening, Norman meets with Bradley at her house, and the two of them end up sleeping together for the first time; when Norma finds out, she becomes upset. Dylan confronts Norma, stating he knows what she has done, which gives him the right to take Norman to stay with him. Just then, the police show up and arrest Norma for Keith's murder.
5. Ocean View
Norman posts bail for his mother and she is released the next day. Dylan proposes that Norman should live with him instead. Shelby gets rid of the evidence incriminating Norma, claiming to be in love with her. Meanwhile, Dylan borrows $5,000 from Ethan, his work partner, so he can buy his own house. Afterward, a drug addict appears and shoots Ethan, and Dylan rushes him to the hospital. Dylan later runs the drug addict over with his car. At dinner, Norman reveals to Emma that the girl from the sketchbook is real, and the two later find her in Keith's abandoned boat. They take the girl, named Jiao, back to the motel and show her to Norma. She then identifies Shelby as the man who had been assaulting her, shocking and horrifying Norma.
6. The Truth
Norman and Dylan find Keith's utility belt and throw it in the harbor in order to protect their mother. Dylan's boss, Gil, informs him that Ethan has died of his wounds. Dylan says that he took out his partner's killer as payback, which pleases Gil. He is then introduced to his new partner, Remo. Shelby finds out that Jiao is staying at the motel and she subsequently flees. He then holds the Bates family at gunpoint and assaults Norma, causing Norman to angrily attack him. After a shootout commences, Dylan kills Shelby to save his family. Meanwhile, Norma reveals the truth about Sam Bates's death to Dylan: Norman killed him in a fit of rage after seeing his father beating Norma and has absolutely no recollection of it, believing his father's death was an accident. She tells Dylan that Norman needs to be protected.
7. The Man in Number 9
Romero arrives at the scene but makes up a story that he caught and killed Shelby in a gun fight. Meanwhile, Dylan meets Jake Abernathy, who checks into the motel, as he had Room 9 reserved for a week every two months before Keith sold the motel. Norma hires Emma to work at the motel as a cleaner. Norman grows close to a stray dog, whom he names Juno. Norman heads to Bradley's house to declare his love for her, only for Bradley to tell him they are not meant for each other. Norman witnesses Juno being hit and killed by a car, and is devastated.
8. A Boy and His Dog
Emma's father, Will, teaches Norman taxidermy after Norman takes his dead dog to him. Upon the school principal's request, Norma has Norman meet with a psychologist, who suggests Norma may have control issues over her son. Meanwhile, Jake reveals to Norma that he knows the full story about Shelby and Keith's sex-slave business. Norma kicks Jake out in retaliation. Dylan brings "trimmers" to stay at the motel. Norma decides to take Dylan out to dinner to thank him for bringing new customers, but is horrified to see the autopsied corpse of Shelby on her bed.
9. Underwater
Norma receives a threatening note and decides to put the motel up for sale. She enlists Romero to help track down Jake, but he informs her he cannot find anything on the man. To calm her, Romero has the house patrolled on the half-hour. Dylan helps Bradley get access to her father's office, where she finds love letters exchanged between her dad and someone known as "B". Meanwhile, Emma gets to know a "trimmer" named Gunner and experiences her first high. Norma's realtor tells her that her property won't go up for sale, angering her to the point of beating him with her bag. Afterward, Norma finds Jake in her car with a pistol; he reveals that Shelby owed him $150,000 from the sex-slave business and, thinking she has the cash, threatens to kill her and her sons unless she delivers the money to him the following night. Terrified, Norma agrees.
10. Midnight
Romero tells Norma that he'll help her with the Jake situation. Norma reveals to Norman a secret: her brother began raping her when she was 13. Norman and Emma decide to go to the school winter dance as friends. At the dance, Norman repeatedly eyes Bradley, causing a heartbroken Emma to storm out and Bradley's jealous boyfriend to punch Norman. Miss Watson offers to tend to Norman's injured eye and takes him back to her place. Meanwhile, Norma witnesses Romero shoot and kill Jake. At Miss Watson's home, Norman observes his teacher stripping off to change. A hallucination of Norma convinces Norman that Miss Watson is seducing him. Norman rushes home and tells Norma that Miss Watson was going to drive him, but the next thing he remembers is running home. Miss Watson's corpse is shown with her throat slashed, wearing a "B" necklace, hinting that she may be the secret lover of Bradley's father.
Season 2
1. Gone But Not Forgotten
The Bates family attends Miss Watson's funeral, after which a depressed Bradley attempts suicide. Four months later, the Bates Motel has become a hot spot for vacationers. Norma is worried about Norman, who spends his time practicing taxidermy and obsessing over Miss Watson and her unsolved murder, including frequent visits to her grave. On a visit to the graveyard, Norman sees an older man at the grave and takes a photo of him, assuming he could be Miss Watson's killer. He shows the photo to Sheriff Romero, who takes the opportunity to ask Norman about his whereabouts on the night of her killing. When Norman offers to email him the photo, he shows no interest. The success of the motel is in jeopardy when construction of a new highway bypass begins. Dylan learns that Bradley's father was cheating with Miss Watson, and that Gil, her boyfriend, likely killed him when he discovered their affair. Dylan tells this to Bradley, who then murders Gil and sneaks into Norman's house, asking for his help.
2. Shadow of a Doubt
Norman hides Bradley in the basement of the house, where she confesses to Gil's murder. Meanwhile, Romero meets the older man at the graveyard. He turns out to be Nick Ford, Miss Watson's father and the head of a family who controls the marijuana trade in White Pine Bay. Ford assures Romero that his family has nothing to do with Gil's murder. Zane Morgan, Dylan's new drug boss, suspects an opposing drug family in a nearby town of having killed Gil. A stoner named Kyle Miller is arrested after his semen is found inside Miss Watson, but another unidentified semen sample is also found. To bond with Norman, Norma signs them both up for the community musical. A problem arises when, at the same time Norman is supposed to be driving Bradley to a bus stop for her to flee town, he now has to be at a rehearsal. Norman therefore has Dylan take her instead. Meanwhile, Norma's brother, Caleb, arrives in town looking for the motel.
3. Caleb
Emma shows Norman a newspaper stating the police have discovered clothes and a suicide note belonging to Bradley, who is now presumed dead. Caleb arrives at the motel asking for Norma; he introduces himself to Dylan, who says Norma never mentioned she had a brother. Upon returning home, Norma immediately throws Caleb out. Meanwhile, Norma becomes friends with Christine, the former director of the community musical, and also meets Christine's brother, George. Norman makes a new girlfriend at the community theater, the troublemaking Cody Brennan. Caleb bonds with Dylan and says he helped protect Norma from their abusive father. Dylan then defends him to Norma, but she claims he repeatedly raped her for years during their childhood. The discussion escalates into a fight between Norman and Dylan, until Norma intervenes by ultimately revealing that Caleb is Dylan's biological father.
4. Check-Out
Norma's revelation deeply affects both herself and Dylan, who is found unconscious in his truck by Emma. Norma goes to Caleb's nearby motel in an attempt to speak to him, but cannot pluck up the courage to do so and emotionally drives away. Later, an angry Dylan accuses Norma of using his conception to get away from her family; marrying young to her high school boyfriend and making him think Dylan was his child. Dylan's assumption turns out to be correct. Meanwhile, Norman's imagining of his mother's rape by Caleb puts him in a blank trance and leads him to Caleb's motel room. His fractured psyche causes him to lash out at Caleb in Norma's persona. Caleb hits Norman and leaves his motel room. Cody picks up Norman, who finally comes out of his trance, but does not remember anything.
5. The Escape Artist
Norman admits to Cody about having had similar blackouts in the past. The next day, Norma meets Cody when she stops by to pick up Norman. Cody takes Norman to a treehouse, where the two have sex. Meanwhile, Romero takes up residence at the Bates Motel after Zane has his house burned down; he later finds Zane, beats him up and threatens to destroy his business. Emma confides in Norma about losing her virginity after she begins casually dating a motel guest, Gunner. Romero cautions Norma about Ford, whom she hopes will help stop the bypass initiative which, if green-lit, would negatively affect the motel. Later, Norma learns that one of the town council members has died in a mysterious auto accident. Dylan protects Zane from a drive-by shooting and ends up in the hospital, where he meets his new drug boss, Zane's sister Jodi.
6. Plunge
Jodi takes Dylan to her house to help him recover from his injuries. After distancing herself from Ford, Norma is encouraged by Christine to meet with the mayor for the empty town council spot. Meanwhile, Cody invites Norman, Emma and Gunner to go swimming at the river, but Emma nearly drowns due to exposure after jumping into the cold water. Norman has another fit and blacks out while with Cody. Worried about Norman, Cody tells Emma about it, who then informs Norma. Just when Norman is about to take his driving test, Norma reveals to the instructor about Norman's physical blackouts. Angry, Norman confronts Cody for betraying his trust. Their heated discussion wakes her father Jimmy, who becomes abusive with her. As he scuffles with Jimmy, Norman pushes him down a flight of stairs to the basement, breaking his neck and killing him.
7. Presumed Innocent
Norma, now a town council member, is shown her office at the town hall and meets Councilman Max Borowitz. Romero arrives to inform Norma of Jimmy's death and takes her to the police station. Norman is questioned about the incident, and his DNA is taken for processing. Norma encounters Cody in the station's bathroom, and pleads that she not reveal to police that Norman suffers from blackouts. Cody, now an orphan, leaves for Indiana to live with her aunt. Before she goes, she tells Norman that Norma is hiding something from him and he must get answers from her. Norman is released from custody as Jimmy's death is ruled an accident, but Romero is later told that Norman's DNA matches the semen found earlier from Miss Watson's body. Zane raids Ford's warehouse, where Dylan is left unconscious for refusing to take part.
8. Meltdown
Romero becomes suspicious of Norman after finding out about his connection to Miss Watson. Norman begins to distance himself from Norma over her refusal to talk about his blackouts or mental state. Ford arrives at the motel to get Norma to arrange a meeting for him with Dylan; she informs him of their estrangement and he encourages her to get in contact. Ford visits the motel again and intimidates Norma, reminding her that she is indebted to him for getting her a seat on the town council. Dylan eventually meets with Nick, who suggests killing Zane or the Bates family will be in danger. Norman confronts Norma and yells that their relationship has changed and will never be the same. In retaliation, Norma leaves and has sex with George. Romero tells Norman that Kyle Miller has been convicted of murdering Miss Watson and tries to recover the truth of that night's events, but Norman flees. Afterward, Norman is abducted by an intruder.
9. The Box
Norma returns home to find Norman missing. She checks the motel and encounters Emma, who is annoyed that she is always left out of the loop. Ford's henchmen keep Norman in a hot box in a field. Ford tells Norma he will let Norman go if Dylan kills Zane; if not, Norman dies. Trapped in a confined place, Norman's sanity slips, causing him to envision his mother saying she will protect him. He also recalls what happened during his blackout at Miss Watson's house: it is revealed he sliced Miss Watson's throat while having sex with her. Dylan, unable to kill Zane, reports to Ford. Fearing for his life, Dylan inadvertently kills Ford before he can learn of Norman's location. Meanwhile, Romero meets with a polygraphist about possibly performing a test on Norman. He informs Norma that her son had sex with Miss Watson on the night she died, before Norma tells him that Ford has kidnapped Norman.
10. The Immutable Truth
Romero finds Ford dead and one of his henchmen emptying the safe. He convinces the man to reveal Norman's location, and Romero and Dylan find and rescue Norman. At the hospital, a weak Norman tells his mother about his "dream" of killing Miss Watson. She tells him to rest and not think about it or tell anyone. Romero insists on giving Norman a polygraph test. At home, Norman prepares a list of things he checks off after completing – packing up his taxidermy hobby, telling Emma about Norma's rape and Dylan's paternity, and dancing with his mother. Norman takes a gun and bullets from his mother's drawer. In the aftermath of Ford's death, Jodi – convinced by Romero – invites her brother Zane to her house to talk about the future of their business. They have an argument and Zane kills her, after which Romero comes in and shoots Zane dead. Romero gives Dylan a free pass and tells him how the story's going to be. Norma finds Norman wandering in the woods with a gun and she is able to talk him out of killing himself. Wanting to flee the country with her sons, she ultimately allows the polygraph, wherein Norman is asked if he killed Miss Watson. His mother's persona emerges again and he answers "no". Norman passes the polygraph with a knowing smile to himself.
Season 3
1. A Death in the Family
Summer has passed. Norman, now a high school senior starting his first day, hallucinates about Miss Blair Watson, the teacher he previously killed back in season 1. Because of this, Norma decides to homeschool him to keep a closer eye on him. Dylan confronts Norma about letting Norman sleep in her bed, and, as a result, she sets some boundaries with Norman. Meanwhile, Norma learns that her estranged mother has recently died. She initially doesn't show emotion, but later softens. Her brother Caleb returns to town, seeking to bond with Dylan, now the only family he has left. Meanwhile, Norman takes an immediate interest in the motel's new guest, Annika Johnson, but he decides to finally ask Emma out on a date, seeking normalcy. Emma also decides to leave school and join Norman in homeschooling as well.
2. The Arcanum Club
Norma becomes curious when Annika goes missing, especially after Norman lied about not being with her the night before and Emma stating otherwise. Norma and Emma investigate Annika's motel room, where they find an invitation to the Arcanum Club, a gentlemen's club on the outskirts of town. Norma infiltrates the club's grounds, only to be caught by Sheriff Romero, who offers to look for Annika. On the way home, Norma mows down the bypass construction sign with her car. Meanwhile, Norman and Emma go on their first date and discuss sex as an important step into adulthood. Elsewhere, Chick Hogan, a bearded hippy-type who lives in a shack in the woods over the hill from Dylan's cabin, comes to visit and discusses the "crops".
3. Persuasion
Sheriff Romero asks Norma to come to the morgue to identify a woman's body. Norma is relieved that it is not Annika, but worries because she is still missing. Romero meets with Bob Paris, who runs the Arcanum Club, who mentions the upcoming sheriff election as a threat to stop asking questions. While investigating the dead woman's identity, Romero meets Marcus Young, a man who claims to be running for sheriff and vows to unseat Romero for the job. Meanwhile, Norma decides to go take a business course at a local community college, but inadvertently enters a psychology class. The professor, James Finnigan, offers her his future assistance. At home, Norman becomes increasingly frustrated that his mother doesn't trust him and blacks out, submerging himself in a bathtub, hoping to recall the events before Annika's disappearance so as to see if he had anything to do with it. Norma saves him, then locks up the motel. Annika arrives with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. She gives Norma a USB drive before dying, telling Norma to use it to save herself and her son.
4. Unbreak-Able
Norma is adamant to learn what is on the USB drive, which is password protected. She asks for Dylan's help in the decryption. Norman grows more suspicious over Annika's death and the secrecy between his mother and half-brother. Emma tries to calm him by inviting him on a picnic hike, during which he mentions Norma's suggestion that he shouldn't have sex with the ailing Emma. Furious, Emma tells Norman that only she herself best understands her own limits, then storms off. Meanwhile, Caleb injures himself at the cabin, and Dylan tends to him, learning more about his family's history. Norman follows Dylan, discovers Caleb, and threatens to tell their mother that Dylan has been betraying her. Dylan begs him not to spoil the good relationship he has been struggling to build with her, but Norman doesn't listen. Elsewhere, Bob Paris begins looking for the USB drive by ransacking the motel office by sending a henchman. Dylan, after chasing him away, tells Norma it would be better to hide the flash drive at his farm.
5. The Deal
A man causes Norma to get into a car accident, telling her to call Bob Paris and give him the USB drive. Dylan meets Norma at the hospital and insists on giving the flash drive to Romero for safekeeping. Meanwhile, Norman gets confused over recent events, thinking Norma had left in a different dress, and that he had already told her about Caleb when he hasn't. He steals a dress from Norma's closet. Romero meets with Bob, who admits to looking for the USB drive but does not reveal its contents. Gunner finds and decrypts the flash drive and it reveals a financial ledger splitting up an investment return of at least $15 million (illegal revenue from the town's marijuana drug trade). Dylan tells Norma about the USB contents, who then tells Romero, and the two visit Bob Paris, who agrees to building her a pool and placing a billboard for the motel near the bypass in exchange for the USB. When her sons calmly try to explain that Caleb has been staying with Dylan, an enraged Norma packs a suitcase, gun included, and storms out.
6. Norma Louise
Norma travels to Portland, Oregon, where she buys a new outfit, trades for a newer car, and ultimately ends up at James' house, where she tells him of Norman's history of blackouts, including killing his father. Back home, Dylan struggles with Norman's separation anxiety, which includes a mental breakdown where Norman completely assumes Norma's personality by cooking him breakfast in her robe and talking like her. Meanwhile, Sheriff Romero gets shot and is hospitalized. He is visited by Marcus Young, who tells him that his time as sheriff is nearing an end. Romero follows Marcus to the parking garage and shoots him dead. Norma realizes that she is still a mother and returns home to honor her sons' wishes to meet Caleb, who breaks down and apologizes upon seeing her.
7. The Last Supper
Dylan starts growing closer to Emma, and learns from her dad that she is a lot sicker than she wants to admit. Meanwhile, Norma tells Romero where the USB drive is so he has leverage over Bob. Romero discovers that his mother's name is on the USB's financial ledger, which leads him into an awkward and painful confrontation with his father in jail. He learns that his father used his mother's name in order to get drugs into the prison. Meanwhile, Norma asks James to help Norman, who, in turn, asks some inappropriate questions and ultimately attacks him. James tells Norma that her son needs help. Norma then cooks a family dinner in order to get closer to Norman. Dylan invites Emma, and Norma invites Caleb. Romero also stops by. Caleb's presence at the dinner angers Norman deeply.
8. The Pit
As part of the deal for the USB, Bob has a construction crew begin to dig a hole for the swimming pool at the Bates Motel, even though it ends up being 23 feet deep. Bob then abducts and tortures James to get information about Norma. When Romero goes to caution Bob about messing with Norma, Bob reveals to him Norma's relationship with James and, more importantly, that Norman killed his father. Romero subsequently ends his friendship with Norma when she continues to lie by maintaining that her husband died in an accident. Meanwhile, Dylan and Caleb transport Chick's guns to Canada, only to learn the deal was a setup to have Chick murdered. Caleb saves Dylan after a shootout ensues. James leaves town, but not before informing Norma that he told Bob everything. She warns Norman, and the two argue. Experiencing another blackout, Norman hallucinates his deceased dog, Juno, and runs after him, out of the house. He then discovers Bradley has returned to town.
9. Crazy
Bradley asks Norman to explain to her mother that she is very much alive. However, upon arriving, she finds that her mother has quickly recovered from the loss of both her husband and daughter. This causes Bradley to feel alone in the world, and she tries to bond with Norman, to the point of trying to have sex with him. He envisions Norma being with them and leaves, thinking that Norma is accompanying him. Meanwhile, Norma tells Bob that she will give him the USB drive, telling him that what James said wasn't true. Bob states that she no longer has anything to bargain with. She then ransacks Romero's house, only to learn from him that the DEA is investigating the financial ledger. Their argument hinges on Romero wanting to know the truth about the death of Norman's father, to which Norma ultimately states that they both know who killed him, implying Norman. Caleb beats Chick for the delivery money, gives it to Dylan, and leaves town after telling Norma about Norman once attacking him in her persona. Dylan gives Emma's father the money for her future lung transplant.
10. Unconscious
After learning Caleb has left town, Dylan receives a call from Emma's father with news that she disappeared after she learned about her lung transplant. Dylan finds her at the cabin, fearful of her body rejecting the transplant and dying. He calls her the strongest woman that he has ever met, and they kiss. Meanwhile, the DEA plans to arrest Bob at his house, but Romero calls to warn him in advance. Bob goes to a boat at the marina to find Romero waiting on him. Bob compares him to his imprisoned father, and Romero shoots him dead. Norma meets with an asylum administrator in hopes to admit Norman, only to be told admission costs start at $20,000 a month. She mentions the news to Norman, who plans to leave town with Bradley. Norman and Norma argue, with Norma knocking Norman unconscious, dragging him to the basement, and calling Dylan, who confirms that Bradley isn't dead. Norman escapes from the basement and runs off with Bradley, but envisions Norma wishing to speak to her. As Norma, he pulls Bradley out of the car, chases her, and repeatedly bashes her head against a rock, killing her. Norman then rolls the car into White Pine Bay, as he and his envisioned mother watch it submerge.
Season 4
1. A Danger to Himself and Others
Picking up on the day after Season 3 ended, Romero disposes of Bob Paris' body in the bay. With Norman missing, Norma and Dylan worry about his well being. A farmer discovers an unstable Norman, resulting in him being admitted to a psychiatric unit. Meanwhile, Dylan goes to Portland to be by Emma's bedside after her lung transplant, while Norma attempts to have Norman discharged from the institution. The psychiatric doctor refuses to let Norman leave until after a 48-hour observation period, and chastises Norma for never taking Norman to a doctor for his frequent blackouts. Desperate, Norma returns to Pineview Mental Hospital hoping to have Norman admitted as soon as possible and encounters a psychiatrist, Dr. Edwards. Since she doesn't have insurance, Norma asks Romero to marry her so she can use his, but he rebuffs her. Elsewhere, Emma's estranged mother, Audrey, attempts to make contact, but Emma's father turns her away. As Audrey seeks help from Norman, "Mother" strangles her to death with her own scarf.
2. Goodnight, Mother
Norman tries to remember what happened the night before. He then has flashes of "Mother" hiding Audrey's body in the basement freezer. Meanwhile, Emma breathes freely for the first time with her new lungs without her oxygen tank, to the relief of Dylan and her father. Meanwhile, Romero visits Pineview with the money for Norman's admission. However, because Norman is 18-years-old, the institution needs to have his signature on consent forms. Norman accuses Norma of killing Audrey, alerting his mother to the fact he committed another murder. She searches the motel's pit for a body, but only discovers a glove. Norman later finds the Pineview forms in the motel's fax machine. He then has a vision of his deceased father, who tells him that Norma is the one who killed him and that she is trying to blame Norman for all the killings. Norman's behavior scares Norma, who flees from him and calls Romero for help. With his mother's gun, Norman alludes to the pair committing suicide since they can't be happy in life. Romero arrives at the Bates residence, and Norma convinces Norman to sign the consent forms before he is taken away to the Pineview hospital.
3. 'Til Death Do You Part
Norma and Romero get married, and afterward, Romero moves into the Bates house in order for their relationship to look real. Romero has the pit filled in as a wedding gift, but a worker discovers one of Audrey's earrings at the site, distressing Norma. Meanwhile, Dylan returns to White Pine Bay to fire Gunner and get out of the drug trade, but arrives at the farm to find Gunner quitting instead. Chick arrives at Dylan's farm looking for revenge on Caleb, but Dylan informs him he hasn't been in contact with his father since he skipped town. At the Pineview asylum, Norman has his first therapy session with Dr. Edwards, who presses Norman to share his concerns about his mother. Norman is conflicted as both hiding and telling the "truth" would cause problems for Norma. Later, Norma visits Norman, and the two have a heated exchange in front of staff and other inpatients. Elsewhere, Romero's ex-girlfriend, Rebecca, visits him, worried that her part in Bob's money laundering scheme may come to light. Romero tells her to keep her head down and she'll be safe from suspicion.
4. Lights of Winter
Norman and fellow patient Julian plan an escape from Pineview. Meanwhile, Norma and Romero become closer in their sham marriage, and he suggests opening a joint bank account to make it appear more legitimate. He then gets an urgent message from Rebecca, who later tells him Bob Paris has $3 million in a safety deposit box, to which Romero finds the key. Norma visits Emma in the Portland hospital, who tells her to start living her own life and to not worry about Norman. Emma also plans to move to Seattle and asks Dylan to move with her. After attending a carnival with Romero and awkwardly meeting Rebecca, Norma and Romero return home to find the house ransacked. Meanwhile, Norman and Julian escape from Pineview and hitch a ride to a strip club. Julian gives Norman some money, and both are taken separately to private rooms. While alone with a dancer, "Mother" appears, but the two are interrupted by a fight between Julian and some bouncers. This leads to Dr. Edwards arriving to collect Norman, who breaks down and accepts Dr. Edwards' help.
5. Refraction
Norma and Romero begin cleaning the house, and she is upset about her favorite stained-glass window being broken. Romero mentions that things like that happen "when you're married to the sheriff". He later cautions Rebecca, whom he knows broke in, to stay away. Norma asks in town about a glass repairman, and Chick Hogan arrives at the house for the job. He later learns that Caleb is Norma's brother. Meanwhile, Dylan takes Emma home to White Pine Bay, but later goes to Seattle for a job interview. At Pineview, Norman begins his therapy sessions with Dr. Edwards and seems to be open with most subjects, except that of his father. He calls to leave an apologetic voicemail with Norma, who later visits him at the institution; Dr. Edwards later suggests the visit was all in Norman's mind, which is confirmed when Norman gets agitated and "Mother" starts talking with the doctor. Also, Chick returns to see Norma and says he previously met Caleb, who was introduced as Dylan's father. He tells Norma of his hatred for Caleb and asks her to decide her brother's fate.
6. The Vault
Norma meets again with Chick, who threatens to publicly reveal her past with Caleb and, ultimately, ruin her marriage to Romero. This sets off a sense of urgency in her, in which she manages to get Caleb's possible location from Dylan. She contacts Caleb, but later tells Chick to do his worst in destroying her life. Meanwhile, Romero gives the safety deposit box key to Rebecca, adding that he wants none of the money in return. At Pineview, Dr. Edwards explains dissociative identity disorder to Norman and that the "Mother" persona is what arises during his blackouts. Norman recalls when he was age seven and Norma tried to leave his drunken father. She was raped while Norman hid under the bed. Dr. Edwards asks to speak to "Mother", who warns him to not allow Norman to recall memories that will hurt himself. Chick delivers the window with Romero's help. Norma then explains Chick's true intentions and tearfully reveals her past to Romero, believing he will leave her as a result. Despite the truth, Romero decides to stay married to Norma.
7. There's No Place Like Home
Norma tells Romero about her dream to renovate the Bates house, but her financial position won't grant her the opportunity to do so. Romero reveals to her the money he took from Bob on the night of his murder, offering it so she can begin making her dream a reality. While at Pineview creating papier-mâché, Norman finds a newspaper clipping about his mother's marriage to Romero. Norman calls home to hear Romero answer the phone and Norma lie regarding his reasons for being there. Norman then sets into motion his plans of going home. Meanwhile, Dylan investigates Audrey's disappearance when Emma loses contact with her. He shows Norma the letter of Audrey's found in Norman's room, confronting her about why it was in Norman's possession. Dylan later gives the letter to Emma, who ultimately decides that her mother's vanishing is an act of desperation. Despite Dr. Edwards' and Norma's efforts to keep Norman at Pineview, he is released and returns home.
8. Unfaithful
Romero stays away from the Bates house to help Norman adjust to a normal life. Norman soon tells him of plans to get a second job to pay for his own insurance in order to let Romero out of his arranged marriage to Norma. Romero tells her that Norman needs to be told that they're in love. Meanwhile, Rebecca is picked up at the airport by the DEA, but is told they are actually after Romero in connection with Bob Paris. At the Bates house, Norma, Romero and Norman have dinner together. Norman gets into an argument with his mother over her allowing Romero into their lives, when she and Norman were so close to the point of him not being able to have girlfriends. Norman storms out to chop wood in anger; Romero follows. Norman approaches him with the axe, but destroys a shed and proclaims that he hates Romero.
9. Forever
Romero tries unsuccessfully to convince Norma to recommit Norman into Pineview. Norman pours out his feelings to Dr. Edwards as Dylan and Romero secretly meet. They both are worried for Norma and want Norman back in the hospital. Dylan finds Audrey's earring and confronts Norma about it. Angered and blinded, Norma accuses Dylan of being jealous of Norman. Heartbroken, Dylan says that she has never been a mother to him, and tells her that Romero also wants Norman back in the hospital. Dylan says goodbye to Norman. Norma confronts Romero about going behind her back and ends their relationship. Norma then breaks down in front of Norman. She leaves a note for Romero and falls asleep. Norman lights the furnace and shuts all the vents in the house, causing carbon monoxide to fill Norma's room, in a murder-suicide attempt. Romero arrives and finds the two unconscious on the bed. He attempts to save both of them but is apparently unsuccessful in saving Norma, and he breaks into tears. Norman wakes to see his unresponsive mother.
10. Norman
As Norman is taken away by ambulance, Romero is questioned by a detective, who shows him Norma's note with the wedding ring in it. She mentions the possibility of Norma's attempt at murder-suicide, which sends Romero to collect Norman at the hospital. Norman balks, they scuffle and Romero promises to prove Norman killed his mother. The funeral home calls Norman to make arrangements. At the morgue, Romero places the ring on Norma's finger, and Norman later removes it at the funeral parlor. Romero goes to the service, which only Norman is attending. They scuffle again when Norman shows him the ring. Romero is later arrested by the DEA for perjury when he previously lied about being involved with Rebecca. Norman exhumes his mother's body to take home. Chick visits the house to offer condolences and sees Norma's body. He forces Norman to realize that she is dead. Norman goes to kill himself with Norma's handgun but hears music. He finds the house decorated for Christmas and "Mother" playing the piano.
Season 5
1. Dark Paradise
It has been two years since the death of Norma. Norman is now living alone and running the Bates Motel. He stays with his hallucination, "Mother", whom he believes faked her death to the rest of the world, while he is secretly keeping Norma's preserved corpse in the basement. Meanwhile, Dylan and Emma are living in Seattle now married with an infant daughter, and are unaware of Norma's death. Caleb shows up, much to the stress of Dylan, so Emma asks Caleb to leave for Dylan's sake. Back in Pine Bay, Romero is in prison serving a five-year sentence and is denied parole. Romero sends a hitman to kill Norman, but Norman murders him instead. He meets Madeleine Loomis, a young hardware store-owner who resembles Norma. While "Mother" and Norman dispose of the hitman's body in a lake, the man's phone rings. Norman answers it to hear Romero's voice.
2. The Convergence of the Twain
Norman visits Romero in prison to taunt him and Romero warns that he will come for Norman. Later, Romero gets into a fight with another prisoner and is sent to the infirmary. Norman goes on a dinner date set up by Madeleine and her husband Sam, who is cheating on her. "Mother" follows Norman and asks why he is having dinner with a girl who looks like her. Meanwhile, Caleb returns to White Pine Bay, looking for Norma, but instead learns that Norma committed suicide over a year earlier. He breaks down with grief at her grave. Later, he and Chick have an altercation in a bar. Caleb says he knows Norman killed Norma, because she would never commit suicide, and vows to get revenge. He goes back to the Bates house and discovers Norma's corpse in the basement. Norman, dressed as "Mother", attacks Caleb. Chick witnesses this, shocked.
3. Bad Blood
Caleb wakes to find himself chained in the basement of the Bates house. Norman, as "Mother", visits him to recount their history. This causes Caleb to slowly lose his mind. Chick, now aware of Norman's mental condition, remains at the house to research his true-crime novel based on Norman. Madeleine admits her troubled marriage to Norman, and they become friends. Meanwhile, Romero is granted a transfer, following his prison fight. He escapes custody, only to be shot while trying to steal a car from a farm. "Mother" insists that Norman should kill Caleb, as she cannot do it. Norman sets Caleb free, but "Mother" chases him into the road, where a distracted Chick accidentally hits him with his car.
4. Hidden
Caleb dies from the accident and Chick cremates the body. The new sheriff is informed about Jim Blackwell skipping parole and questions Norman, as Blackwell had the house's address. Meanwhile, the fugitive Romero tends to his gunshot wounds before showing up at Maggie Summers' house. Chick tries to move into the Bates house, only to be turned away by Norman, who does not think Chick being there is a good idea. Norman and "Mother" continue to get into arguments, as Norman wants to have control over his own life. Madeleine invites Norman over to her house for dinner since Sam is out of town, and they start kissing. "Mother" appears and Norman visualizes Madeleine with her throat slit. He runs back home, calling for "Mother", who is not there.
5. Dreams Die First
Norman awakens the next morning to find no sign of his mother. Sheriff Greene pays Norman a visit informs him that Romero may come after him. In Seattle, Dylan explains to Emma why he cut off contact with Norma, revealing that Norman is sick and Emma's mother went missing after checking into the motel. Emma later discovers that Norma is dead. Back in Pine Bay, Sam's mistress, Marion Crane, goes on the run after stealing $400,000 from her boss; Madeleine confronts Sam about the affair. Elsewhere, Norman encounters his old therapist, Dr. Edwards, and is faced again with the reality that Norma is dead and he assumes her persona. He visits the White Horse Bar, and is confused when the patrons recognize him from the night before. A man attempts to seduce him and Norman has a flashback of "Mother" and the man having sex. Panicking, he flees home just as Marion arrives at the Bates Motel.
6. Marion
Norman greets Marion at the motel. At the same time in Seattle, Emma informs a shocked Dylan of his mother's death. After Norman and Marion eat dinner together, Norman spies on her as she undresses for her shower. He later reveals to her that Sam is married. When Marion sees Sam and Madeleine arguing at his house, she smashes his car windows in anger and returns to the motel. "Mother" tries to goad Norman into killing Marion, but Norman, unwilling to do this, fights back and forces Marion out of the motel before he can hurt her, saving her life. Marion leaves town as Sam shows up at her room. He decides to shower while waiting for her. When "Mother" compares Sam to Norman's father, Norman stabs Sam to death in the shower.
7. Inseparable
"Mother" and Norman dispose of Sam's body, though Norman does not want to hallucinate "Mother" anymore. Sheriff Greene reveals that Jim Blackwell's body was recovered. Norman buries Norma's frozen corpse in the woods in case police investigate his house. Dylan arrives at the Bates' house and says that Norman should have told him about Norma's death, and to let him help Norman, as he sees that Norman is sick. Dylan learns that Dr. Edwards is missing and presumed dead, even though Norman said he'd met with him. Dylan then meets Madeleine, who is worried about a missing Sam. Dylan asks Norman about Sam and encourages him to take his medication, but "Mother" takes over and tries to kill Dylan. Norman intervenes, yelling that Dylan is his brother, and Dylan, in shock, watches him struggle with himself. Norman comes to, dials 911, and confesses to Sam's murder.
8. The Body
Norman is anxious to be arrested, fearing that he will see "Mother" and she will intervene. He is interrogated, and given his medication, but "Mother" forces him to vomit it out and takes full control of him. "Mother" blames Madeleine for Sam's murder and says Norman confessed to take the fall for her. Dylan gets a lawyer and explains that Norman is not a criminal nor a bad person - he is mentally ill and needs a mental institution. Emma's mother's body is also found and identified from the lake, confirming Dylan's suspicion about Norman killing her. Romero returns to the Bates' property and finds Chick, who has set up his writing desk in the house. Chick is killed by Romero after mocking him and the entire situation. Sam's body is found next, and Norman, with "Mother" still in control, is charged with three murders.
9. Visiting Hours
Norman's attorney suggests entering an insanity plea, as he could be put to death if convicted. Emma arrives to see Dylan but is unsure whether the two of them will make it when Dylan takes his brother's side. After seeing the evidence presented at Norman's hearing, Madeleine asks Dylan how he can live with himself after knowing Norman was sick and still leaving him to do what he did. Emma decides to go back home, but not before going to see Norman. She instantly realizes he is in "Mother's" persona, and so asks him to tell the real Norman that she misses him. Romero discovers where Norman is and forces the officers to release him. He forces Norman into Norman's car and orders him to take them to Norma's body.
10. The Cord
"Mother" leads Romero to Norma's body and as Romero mourns over it, Norman subdues him and shoots him with his own gun. Before Romero dies, he tells Norman that Norman will never be able to escape from the fact that he killed his own mother. "Mother" tells Norman that with Romero dead and now that he really knows the truth - that he killed her - there is nothing left to protect him from, and she leaves him for good. Unable to handle this, Norman's mind regresses to when they first moved to the motel. Under that delusion, he takes Norma's body back to the house and invites Dylan for dinner. Dylan does not inform the police. Instead, armed with a gun, he goes. After seeing Norma's corpse at the dinner table, Dylan begs Norman to face reality but Norman is unwilling to live without his mother. Dylan is forced to fatally shoot him when Norman charges at him with a knife. Norman dies in Dylan's arms and thanks Dylan for letting him reunite with Norma in death. The motel and house are sold, and Dylan and Emma make a happy life together with their daughter.
1. First You Dream, Then You Die
Widow Norma Louise Bates and her 17-year-old son, Norman, move from Arizona to the town of White Pine Bay, Oregon, where they buy a rundown motel six months after the sudden death of Norman's father Sam. Norma intends to reopen the motel in an attempt to build a new life. On his first day at his new high school, Norman befriends popular local girl, Bradley Martin, who takes him out for a night on the town with her friends. Norman also meets Miss Watson, his advanced English teacher. While Norman is out with Bradley for the evening, the motel's former owner, Keith Summers, breaks into the house and rapes Norma. Norman arrives back and knocks Keith out, before Norma murders him. The duo dump the body in the local harbor. That same night, Norma and Norman meet Sheriff Romero and Deputy Shelby, who show up to have a look around the motel for reasons unknown. In Room 4, Norman finds a sketchbook full of lurid drawings that show women being tortured. Similarly, a woman is seen drugged and chained somewhere, indicating that a sinister presence resides in the town. Norma renames the motel the Bates Motel.
2. Nice Town You Picked, Norma...
Tension arises when Dylan Massett, Norma's elder son from a different father than Norman, arrives in White Pine Bay to stay. Norman and Bradley witness her father get badly burned in a car accident. Meanwhile, Norman and his cystic fibrosis -stricken classmate, Emma Decody, look into the mystery of the sketchbook. Shelby suggests to Norma that the town's wealth is earned through illegal means, and that the whole town council and police force is in on a massive conspiracy. Norma sees a body hanging upside-down and on fire in the middle of town, witnessed by townspeople, showing "justice" is often resolved extrajudicially. Emma and Norman stumble upon a huge marijuana field hidden in the nearby forest and are chased away by two armed men, barely escaping.
3. What's Wrong with Norman
Norman passes out at school and is taken to the hospital. Norma is asked if he has experienced an episode like this before, to which she says no. Dylan states he has a new job, not mentioning it is guarding the marijuana field with his new partner, Ethan. Norma discharges Norman from the hospital, who tells her that he kept Keith's utility belt, which is now missing after the police carried out a property search. Dylan tells Norman to get out more and not let Norma smother him. Meanwhile, Shelby reveals to Norma that he took Keith's belt without Romero's knowledge, because he wants to protect her from being investigated for the disappearance; the two then kiss. Norman envisions his mother telling him to get the belt back; he then breaks into Shelby's house to retrieve it, but instead discovers that one of the women from the sketchbook is being held captive in Shelby's basement.
4. Trust Me
Shelby arrives home while Norman is still inside. Dylan, who had followed Norman to the house, distracts Shelby to give Norman enough time to escape. Norma tells Norman he sometimes sees and hears things that aren't real. With Emma unreachable, Norman draws more closely to Bradley, who is mourning the death of her father. Meanwhile, Romero finds a decomposing hand in the bay that has Keith's wristwatch attached to it. That same evening, Norman meets with Bradley at her house, and the two of them end up sleeping together for the first time; when Norma finds out, she becomes upset. Dylan confronts Norma, stating he knows what she has done, which gives him the right to take Norman to stay with him. Just then, the police show up and arrest Norma for Keith's murder.
5. Ocean View
Norman posts bail for his mother and she is released the next day. Dylan proposes that Norman should live with him instead. Shelby gets rid of the evidence incriminating Norma, claiming to be in love with her. Meanwhile, Dylan borrows $5,000 from Ethan, his work partner, so he can buy his own house. Afterward, a drug addict appears and shoots Ethan, and Dylan rushes him to the hospital. Dylan later runs the drug addict over with his car. At dinner, Norman reveals to Emma that the girl from the sketchbook is real, and the two later find her in Keith's abandoned boat. They take the girl, named Jiao, back to the motel and show her to Norma. She then identifies Shelby as the man who had been assaulting her, shocking and horrifying Norma.
6. The Truth
Norman and Dylan find Keith's utility belt and throw it in the harbor in order to protect their mother. Dylan's boss, Gil, informs him that Ethan has died of his wounds. Dylan says that he took out his partner's killer as payback, which pleases Gil. He is then introduced to his new partner, Remo. Shelby finds out that Jiao is staying at the motel and she subsequently flees. He then holds the Bates family at gunpoint and assaults Norma, causing Norman to angrily attack him. After a shootout commences, Dylan kills Shelby to save his family. Meanwhile, Norma reveals the truth about Sam Bates's death to Dylan: Norman killed him in a fit of rage after seeing his father beating Norma and has absolutely no recollection of it, believing his father's death was an accident. She tells Dylan that Norman needs to be protected.
7. The Man in Number 9
Romero arrives at the scene but makes up a story that he caught and killed Shelby in a gun fight. Meanwhile, Dylan meets Jake Abernathy, who checks into the motel, as he had Room 9 reserved for a week every two months before Keith sold the motel. Norma hires Emma to work at the motel as a cleaner. Norman grows close to a stray dog, whom he names Juno. Norman heads to Bradley's house to declare his love for her, only for Bradley to tell him they are not meant for each other. Norman witnesses Juno being hit and killed by a car, and is devastated.
8. A Boy and His Dog
Emma's father, Will, teaches Norman taxidermy after Norman takes his dead dog to him. Upon the school principal's request, Norma has Norman meet with a psychologist, who suggests Norma may have control issues over her son. Meanwhile, Jake reveals to Norma that he knows the full story about Shelby and Keith's sex-slave business. Norma kicks Jake out in retaliation. Dylan brings "trimmers" to stay at the motel. Norma decides to take Dylan out to dinner to thank him for bringing new customers, but is horrified to see the autopsied corpse of Shelby on her bed.
9. Underwater
Norma receives a threatening note and decides to put the motel up for sale. She enlists Romero to help track down Jake, but he informs her he cannot find anything on the man. To calm her, Romero has the house patrolled on the half-hour. Dylan helps Bradley get access to her father's office, where she finds love letters exchanged between her dad and someone known as "B". Meanwhile, Emma gets to know a "trimmer" named Gunner and experiences her first high. Norma's realtor tells her that her property won't go up for sale, angering her to the point of beating him with her bag. Afterward, Norma finds Jake in her car with a pistol; he reveals that Shelby owed him $150,000 from the sex-slave business and, thinking she has the cash, threatens to kill her and her sons unless she delivers the money to him the following night. Terrified, Norma agrees.
10. Midnight
Romero tells Norma that he'll help her with the Jake situation. Norma reveals to Norman a secret: her brother began raping her when she was 13. Norman and Emma decide to go to the school winter dance as friends. At the dance, Norman repeatedly eyes Bradley, causing a heartbroken Emma to storm out and Bradley's jealous boyfriend to punch Norman. Miss Watson offers to tend to Norman's injured eye and takes him back to her place. Meanwhile, Norma witnesses Romero shoot and kill Jake. At Miss Watson's home, Norman observes his teacher stripping off to change. A hallucination of Norma convinces Norman that Miss Watson is seducing him. Norman rushes home and tells Norma that Miss Watson was going to drive him, but the next thing he remembers is running home. Miss Watson's corpse is shown with her throat slashed, wearing a "B" necklace, hinting that she may be the secret lover of Bradley's father.
Season 2
1. Gone But Not Forgotten
The Bates family attends Miss Watson's funeral, after which a depressed Bradley attempts suicide. Four months later, the Bates Motel has become a hot spot for vacationers. Norma is worried about Norman, who spends his time practicing taxidermy and obsessing over Miss Watson and her unsolved murder, including frequent visits to her grave. On a visit to the graveyard, Norman sees an older man at the grave and takes a photo of him, assuming he could be Miss Watson's killer. He shows the photo to Sheriff Romero, who takes the opportunity to ask Norman about his whereabouts on the night of her killing. When Norman offers to email him the photo, he shows no interest. The success of the motel is in jeopardy when construction of a new highway bypass begins. Dylan learns that Bradley's father was cheating with Miss Watson, and that Gil, her boyfriend, likely killed him when he discovered their affair. Dylan tells this to Bradley, who then murders Gil and sneaks into Norman's house, asking for his help.
2. Shadow of a Doubt
Norman hides Bradley in the basement of the house, where she confesses to Gil's murder. Meanwhile, Romero meets the older man at the graveyard. He turns out to be Nick Ford, Miss Watson's father and the head of a family who controls the marijuana trade in White Pine Bay. Ford assures Romero that his family has nothing to do with Gil's murder. Zane Morgan, Dylan's new drug boss, suspects an opposing drug family in a nearby town of having killed Gil. A stoner named Kyle Miller is arrested after his semen is found inside Miss Watson, but another unidentified semen sample is also found. To bond with Norman, Norma signs them both up for the community musical. A problem arises when, at the same time Norman is supposed to be driving Bradley to a bus stop for her to flee town, he now has to be at a rehearsal. Norman therefore has Dylan take her instead. Meanwhile, Norma's brother, Caleb, arrives in town looking for the motel.
3. Caleb
Emma shows Norman a newspaper stating the police have discovered clothes and a suicide note belonging to Bradley, who is now presumed dead. Caleb arrives at the motel asking for Norma; he introduces himself to Dylan, who says Norma never mentioned she had a brother. Upon returning home, Norma immediately throws Caleb out. Meanwhile, Norma becomes friends with Christine, the former director of the community musical, and also meets Christine's brother, George. Norman makes a new girlfriend at the community theater, the troublemaking Cody Brennan. Caleb bonds with Dylan and says he helped protect Norma from their abusive father. Dylan then defends him to Norma, but she claims he repeatedly raped her for years during their childhood. The discussion escalates into a fight between Norman and Dylan, until Norma intervenes by ultimately revealing that Caleb is Dylan's biological father.
4. Check-Out
Norma's revelation deeply affects both herself and Dylan, who is found unconscious in his truck by Emma. Norma goes to Caleb's nearby motel in an attempt to speak to him, but cannot pluck up the courage to do so and emotionally drives away. Later, an angry Dylan accuses Norma of using his conception to get away from her family; marrying young to her high school boyfriend and making him think Dylan was his child. Dylan's assumption turns out to be correct. Meanwhile, Norman's imagining of his mother's rape by Caleb puts him in a blank trance and leads him to Caleb's motel room. His fractured psyche causes him to lash out at Caleb in Norma's persona. Caleb hits Norman and leaves his motel room. Cody picks up Norman, who finally comes out of his trance, but does not remember anything.
5. The Escape Artist
Norman admits to Cody about having had similar blackouts in the past. The next day, Norma meets Cody when she stops by to pick up Norman. Cody takes Norman to a treehouse, where the two have sex. Meanwhile, Romero takes up residence at the Bates Motel after Zane has his house burned down; he later finds Zane, beats him up and threatens to destroy his business. Emma confides in Norma about losing her virginity after she begins casually dating a motel guest, Gunner. Romero cautions Norma about Ford, whom she hopes will help stop the bypass initiative which, if green-lit, would negatively affect the motel. Later, Norma learns that one of the town council members has died in a mysterious auto accident. Dylan protects Zane from a drive-by shooting and ends up in the hospital, where he meets his new drug boss, Zane's sister Jodi.
6. Plunge
Jodi takes Dylan to her house to help him recover from his injuries. After distancing herself from Ford, Norma is encouraged by Christine to meet with the mayor for the empty town council spot. Meanwhile, Cody invites Norman, Emma and Gunner to go swimming at the river, but Emma nearly drowns due to exposure after jumping into the cold water. Norman has another fit and blacks out while with Cody. Worried about Norman, Cody tells Emma about it, who then informs Norma. Just when Norman is about to take his driving test, Norma reveals to the instructor about Norman's physical blackouts. Angry, Norman confronts Cody for betraying his trust. Their heated discussion wakes her father Jimmy, who becomes abusive with her. As he scuffles with Jimmy, Norman pushes him down a flight of stairs to the basement, breaking his neck and killing him.
7. Presumed Innocent
Norma, now a town council member, is shown her office at the town hall and meets Councilman Max Borowitz. Romero arrives to inform Norma of Jimmy's death and takes her to the police station. Norman is questioned about the incident, and his DNA is taken for processing. Norma encounters Cody in the station's bathroom, and pleads that she not reveal to police that Norman suffers from blackouts. Cody, now an orphan, leaves for Indiana to live with her aunt. Before she goes, she tells Norman that Norma is hiding something from him and he must get answers from her. Norman is released from custody as Jimmy's death is ruled an accident, but Romero is later told that Norman's DNA matches the semen found earlier from Miss Watson's body. Zane raids Ford's warehouse, where Dylan is left unconscious for refusing to take part.
8. Meltdown
Romero becomes suspicious of Norman after finding out about his connection to Miss Watson. Norman begins to distance himself from Norma over her refusal to talk about his blackouts or mental state. Ford arrives at the motel to get Norma to arrange a meeting for him with Dylan; she informs him of their estrangement and he encourages her to get in contact. Ford visits the motel again and intimidates Norma, reminding her that she is indebted to him for getting her a seat on the town council. Dylan eventually meets with Nick, who suggests killing Zane or the Bates family will be in danger. Norman confronts Norma and yells that their relationship has changed and will never be the same. In retaliation, Norma leaves and has sex with George. Romero tells Norman that Kyle Miller has been convicted of murdering Miss Watson and tries to recover the truth of that night's events, but Norman flees. Afterward, Norman is abducted by an intruder.
9. The Box
Norma returns home to find Norman missing. She checks the motel and encounters Emma, who is annoyed that she is always left out of the loop. Ford's henchmen keep Norman in a hot box in a field. Ford tells Norma he will let Norman go if Dylan kills Zane; if not, Norman dies. Trapped in a confined place, Norman's sanity slips, causing him to envision his mother saying she will protect him. He also recalls what happened during his blackout at Miss Watson's house: it is revealed he sliced Miss Watson's throat while having sex with her. Dylan, unable to kill Zane, reports to Ford. Fearing for his life, Dylan inadvertently kills Ford before he can learn of Norman's location. Meanwhile, Romero meets with a polygraphist about possibly performing a test on Norman. He informs Norma that her son had sex with Miss Watson on the night she died, before Norma tells him that Ford has kidnapped Norman.
10. The Immutable Truth
Romero finds Ford dead and one of his henchmen emptying the safe. He convinces the man to reveal Norman's location, and Romero and Dylan find and rescue Norman. At the hospital, a weak Norman tells his mother about his "dream" of killing Miss Watson. She tells him to rest and not think about it or tell anyone. Romero insists on giving Norman a polygraph test. At home, Norman prepares a list of things he checks off after completing – packing up his taxidermy hobby, telling Emma about Norma's rape and Dylan's paternity, and dancing with his mother. Norman takes a gun and bullets from his mother's drawer. In the aftermath of Ford's death, Jodi – convinced by Romero – invites her brother Zane to her house to talk about the future of their business. They have an argument and Zane kills her, after which Romero comes in and shoots Zane dead. Romero gives Dylan a free pass and tells him how the story's going to be. Norma finds Norman wandering in the woods with a gun and she is able to talk him out of killing himself. Wanting to flee the country with her sons, she ultimately allows the polygraph, wherein Norman is asked if he killed Miss Watson. His mother's persona emerges again and he answers "no". Norman passes the polygraph with a knowing smile to himself.
Season 3
1. A Death in the Family
Summer has passed. Norman, now a high school senior starting his first day, hallucinates about Miss Blair Watson, the teacher he previously killed back in season 1. Because of this, Norma decides to homeschool him to keep a closer eye on him. Dylan confronts Norma about letting Norman sleep in her bed, and, as a result, she sets some boundaries with Norman. Meanwhile, Norma learns that her estranged mother has recently died. She initially doesn't show emotion, but later softens. Her brother Caleb returns to town, seeking to bond with Dylan, now the only family he has left. Meanwhile, Norman takes an immediate interest in the motel's new guest, Annika Johnson, but he decides to finally ask Emma out on a date, seeking normalcy. Emma also decides to leave school and join Norman in homeschooling as well.
2. The Arcanum Club
Norma becomes curious when Annika goes missing, especially after Norman lied about not being with her the night before and Emma stating otherwise. Norma and Emma investigate Annika's motel room, where they find an invitation to the Arcanum Club, a gentlemen's club on the outskirts of town. Norma infiltrates the club's grounds, only to be caught by Sheriff Romero, who offers to look for Annika. On the way home, Norma mows down the bypass construction sign with her car. Meanwhile, Norman and Emma go on their first date and discuss sex as an important step into adulthood. Elsewhere, Chick Hogan, a bearded hippy-type who lives in a shack in the woods over the hill from Dylan's cabin, comes to visit and discusses the "crops".
3. Persuasion
Sheriff Romero asks Norma to come to the morgue to identify a woman's body. Norma is relieved that it is not Annika, but worries because she is still missing. Romero meets with Bob Paris, who runs the Arcanum Club, who mentions the upcoming sheriff election as a threat to stop asking questions. While investigating the dead woman's identity, Romero meets Marcus Young, a man who claims to be running for sheriff and vows to unseat Romero for the job. Meanwhile, Norma decides to go take a business course at a local community college, but inadvertently enters a psychology class. The professor, James Finnigan, offers her his future assistance. At home, Norman becomes increasingly frustrated that his mother doesn't trust him and blacks out, submerging himself in a bathtub, hoping to recall the events before Annika's disappearance so as to see if he had anything to do with it. Norma saves him, then locks up the motel. Annika arrives with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. She gives Norma a USB drive before dying, telling Norma to use it to save herself and her son.
4. Unbreak-Able
Norma is adamant to learn what is on the USB drive, which is password protected. She asks for Dylan's help in the decryption. Norman grows more suspicious over Annika's death and the secrecy between his mother and half-brother. Emma tries to calm him by inviting him on a picnic hike, during which he mentions Norma's suggestion that he shouldn't have sex with the ailing Emma. Furious, Emma tells Norman that only she herself best understands her own limits, then storms off. Meanwhile, Caleb injures himself at the cabin, and Dylan tends to him, learning more about his family's history. Norman follows Dylan, discovers Caleb, and threatens to tell their mother that Dylan has been betraying her. Dylan begs him not to spoil the good relationship he has been struggling to build with her, but Norman doesn't listen. Elsewhere, Bob Paris begins looking for the USB drive by ransacking the motel office by sending a henchman. Dylan, after chasing him away, tells Norma it would be better to hide the flash drive at his farm.
5. The Deal
A man causes Norma to get into a car accident, telling her to call Bob Paris and give him the USB drive. Dylan meets Norma at the hospital and insists on giving the flash drive to Romero for safekeeping. Meanwhile, Norman gets confused over recent events, thinking Norma had left in a different dress, and that he had already told her about Caleb when he hasn't. He steals a dress from Norma's closet. Romero meets with Bob, who admits to looking for the USB drive but does not reveal its contents. Gunner finds and decrypts the flash drive and it reveals a financial ledger splitting up an investment return of at least $15 million (illegal revenue from the town's marijuana drug trade). Dylan tells Norma about the USB contents, who then tells Romero, and the two visit Bob Paris, who agrees to building her a pool and placing a billboard for the motel near the bypass in exchange for the USB. When her sons calmly try to explain that Caleb has been staying with Dylan, an enraged Norma packs a suitcase, gun included, and storms out.
6. Norma Louise
Norma travels to Portland, Oregon, where she buys a new outfit, trades for a newer car, and ultimately ends up at James' house, where she tells him of Norman's history of blackouts, including killing his father. Back home, Dylan struggles with Norman's separation anxiety, which includes a mental breakdown where Norman completely assumes Norma's personality by cooking him breakfast in her robe and talking like her. Meanwhile, Sheriff Romero gets shot and is hospitalized. He is visited by Marcus Young, who tells him that his time as sheriff is nearing an end. Romero follows Marcus to the parking garage and shoots him dead. Norma realizes that she is still a mother and returns home to honor her sons' wishes to meet Caleb, who breaks down and apologizes upon seeing her.
7. The Last Supper
Dylan starts growing closer to Emma, and learns from her dad that she is a lot sicker than she wants to admit. Meanwhile, Norma tells Romero where the USB drive is so he has leverage over Bob. Romero discovers that his mother's name is on the USB's financial ledger, which leads him into an awkward and painful confrontation with his father in jail. He learns that his father used his mother's name in order to get drugs into the prison. Meanwhile, Norma asks James to help Norman, who, in turn, asks some inappropriate questions and ultimately attacks him. James tells Norma that her son needs help. Norma then cooks a family dinner in order to get closer to Norman. Dylan invites Emma, and Norma invites Caleb. Romero also stops by. Caleb's presence at the dinner angers Norman deeply.
8. The Pit
As part of the deal for the USB, Bob has a construction crew begin to dig a hole for the swimming pool at the Bates Motel, even though it ends up being 23 feet deep. Bob then abducts and tortures James to get information about Norma. When Romero goes to caution Bob about messing with Norma, Bob reveals to him Norma's relationship with James and, more importantly, that Norman killed his father. Romero subsequently ends his friendship with Norma when she continues to lie by maintaining that her husband died in an accident. Meanwhile, Dylan and Caleb transport Chick's guns to Canada, only to learn the deal was a setup to have Chick murdered. Caleb saves Dylan after a shootout ensues. James leaves town, but not before informing Norma that he told Bob everything. She warns Norman, and the two argue. Experiencing another blackout, Norman hallucinates his deceased dog, Juno, and runs after him, out of the house. He then discovers Bradley has returned to town.
9. Crazy
Bradley asks Norman to explain to her mother that she is very much alive. However, upon arriving, she finds that her mother has quickly recovered from the loss of both her husband and daughter. This causes Bradley to feel alone in the world, and she tries to bond with Norman, to the point of trying to have sex with him. He envisions Norma being with them and leaves, thinking that Norma is accompanying him. Meanwhile, Norma tells Bob that she will give him the USB drive, telling him that what James said wasn't true. Bob states that she no longer has anything to bargain with. She then ransacks Romero's house, only to learn from him that the DEA is investigating the financial ledger. Their argument hinges on Romero wanting to know the truth about the death of Norman's father, to which Norma ultimately states that they both know who killed him, implying Norman. Caleb beats Chick for the delivery money, gives it to Dylan, and leaves town after telling Norma about Norman once attacking him in her persona. Dylan gives Emma's father the money for her future lung transplant.
10. Unconscious
After learning Caleb has left town, Dylan receives a call from Emma's father with news that she disappeared after she learned about her lung transplant. Dylan finds her at the cabin, fearful of her body rejecting the transplant and dying. He calls her the strongest woman that he has ever met, and they kiss. Meanwhile, the DEA plans to arrest Bob at his house, but Romero calls to warn him in advance. Bob goes to a boat at the marina to find Romero waiting on him. Bob compares him to his imprisoned father, and Romero shoots him dead. Norma meets with an asylum administrator in hopes to admit Norman, only to be told admission costs start at $20,000 a month. She mentions the news to Norman, who plans to leave town with Bradley. Norman and Norma argue, with Norma knocking Norman unconscious, dragging him to the basement, and calling Dylan, who confirms that Bradley isn't dead. Norman escapes from the basement and runs off with Bradley, but envisions Norma wishing to speak to her. As Norma, he pulls Bradley out of the car, chases her, and repeatedly bashes her head against a rock, killing her. Norman then rolls the car into White Pine Bay, as he and his envisioned mother watch it submerge.
Season 4
1. A Danger to Himself and Others
Picking up on the day after Season 3 ended, Romero disposes of Bob Paris' body in the bay. With Norman missing, Norma and Dylan worry about his well being. A farmer discovers an unstable Norman, resulting in him being admitted to a psychiatric unit. Meanwhile, Dylan goes to Portland to be by Emma's bedside after her lung transplant, while Norma attempts to have Norman discharged from the institution. The psychiatric doctor refuses to let Norman leave until after a 48-hour observation period, and chastises Norma for never taking Norman to a doctor for his frequent blackouts. Desperate, Norma returns to Pineview Mental Hospital hoping to have Norman admitted as soon as possible and encounters a psychiatrist, Dr. Edwards. Since she doesn't have insurance, Norma asks Romero to marry her so she can use his, but he rebuffs her. Elsewhere, Emma's estranged mother, Audrey, attempts to make contact, but Emma's father turns her away. As Audrey seeks help from Norman, "Mother" strangles her to death with her own scarf.
2. Goodnight, Mother
Norman tries to remember what happened the night before. He then has flashes of "Mother" hiding Audrey's body in the basement freezer. Meanwhile, Emma breathes freely for the first time with her new lungs without her oxygen tank, to the relief of Dylan and her father. Meanwhile, Romero visits Pineview with the money for Norman's admission. However, because Norman is 18-years-old, the institution needs to have his signature on consent forms. Norman accuses Norma of killing Audrey, alerting his mother to the fact he committed another murder. She searches the motel's pit for a body, but only discovers a glove. Norman later finds the Pineview forms in the motel's fax machine. He then has a vision of his deceased father, who tells him that Norma is the one who killed him and that she is trying to blame Norman for all the killings. Norman's behavior scares Norma, who flees from him and calls Romero for help. With his mother's gun, Norman alludes to the pair committing suicide since they can't be happy in life. Romero arrives at the Bates residence, and Norma convinces Norman to sign the consent forms before he is taken away to the Pineview hospital.
3. 'Til Death Do You Part
Norma and Romero get married, and afterward, Romero moves into the Bates house in order for their relationship to look real. Romero has the pit filled in as a wedding gift, but a worker discovers one of Audrey's earrings at the site, distressing Norma. Meanwhile, Dylan returns to White Pine Bay to fire Gunner and get out of the drug trade, but arrives at the farm to find Gunner quitting instead. Chick arrives at Dylan's farm looking for revenge on Caleb, but Dylan informs him he hasn't been in contact with his father since he skipped town. At the Pineview asylum, Norman has his first therapy session with Dr. Edwards, who presses Norman to share his concerns about his mother. Norman is conflicted as both hiding and telling the "truth" would cause problems for Norma. Later, Norma visits Norman, and the two have a heated exchange in front of staff and other inpatients. Elsewhere, Romero's ex-girlfriend, Rebecca, visits him, worried that her part in Bob's money laundering scheme may come to light. Romero tells her to keep her head down and she'll be safe from suspicion.
4. Lights of Winter
Norman and fellow patient Julian plan an escape from Pineview. Meanwhile, Norma and Romero become closer in their sham marriage, and he suggests opening a joint bank account to make it appear more legitimate. He then gets an urgent message from Rebecca, who later tells him Bob Paris has $3 million in a safety deposit box, to which Romero finds the key. Norma visits Emma in the Portland hospital, who tells her to start living her own life and to not worry about Norman. Emma also plans to move to Seattle and asks Dylan to move with her. After attending a carnival with Romero and awkwardly meeting Rebecca, Norma and Romero return home to find the house ransacked. Meanwhile, Norman and Julian escape from Pineview and hitch a ride to a strip club. Julian gives Norman some money, and both are taken separately to private rooms. While alone with a dancer, "Mother" appears, but the two are interrupted by a fight between Julian and some bouncers. This leads to Dr. Edwards arriving to collect Norman, who breaks down and accepts Dr. Edwards' help.
5. Refraction
Norma and Romero begin cleaning the house, and she is upset about her favorite stained-glass window being broken. Romero mentions that things like that happen "when you're married to the sheriff". He later cautions Rebecca, whom he knows broke in, to stay away. Norma asks in town about a glass repairman, and Chick Hogan arrives at the house for the job. He later learns that Caleb is Norma's brother. Meanwhile, Dylan takes Emma home to White Pine Bay, but later goes to Seattle for a job interview. At Pineview, Norman begins his therapy sessions with Dr. Edwards and seems to be open with most subjects, except that of his father. He calls to leave an apologetic voicemail with Norma, who later visits him at the institution; Dr. Edwards later suggests the visit was all in Norman's mind, which is confirmed when Norman gets agitated and "Mother" starts talking with the doctor. Also, Chick returns to see Norma and says he previously met Caleb, who was introduced as Dylan's father. He tells Norma of his hatred for Caleb and asks her to decide her brother's fate.
6. The Vault
Norma meets again with Chick, who threatens to publicly reveal her past with Caleb and, ultimately, ruin her marriage to Romero. This sets off a sense of urgency in her, in which she manages to get Caleb's possible location from Dylan. She contacts Caleb, but later tells Chick to do his worst in destroying her life. Meanwhile, Romero gives the safety deposit box key to Rebecca, adding that he wants none of the money in return. At Pineview, Dr. Edwards explains dissociative identity disorder to Norman and that the "Mother" persona is what arises during his blackouts. Norman recalls when he was age seven and Norma tried to leave his drunken father. She was raped while Norman hid under the bed. Dr. Edwards asks to speak to "Mother", who warns him to not allow Norman to recall memories that will hurt himself. Chick delivers the window with Romero's help. Norma then explains Chick's true intentions and tearfully reveals her past to Romero, believing he will leave her as a result. Despite the truth, Romero decides to stay married to Norma.
7. There's No Place Like Home
Norma tells Romero about her dream to renovate the Bates house, but her financial position won't grant her the opportunity to do so. Romero reveals to her the money he took from Bob on the night of his murder, offering it so she can begin making her dream a reality. While at Pineview creating papier-mâché, Norman finds a newspaper clipping about his mother's marriage to Romero. Norman calls home to hear Romero answer the phone and Norma lie regarding his reasons for being there. Norman then sets into motion his plans of going home. Meanwhile, Dylan investigates Audrey's disappearance when Emma loses contact with her. He shows Norma the letter of Audrey's found in Norman's room, confronting her about why it was in Norman's possession. Dylan later gives the letter to Emma, who ultimately decides that her mother's vanishing is an act of desperation. Despite Dr. Edwards' and Norma's efforts to keep Norman at Pineview, he is released and returns home.
8. Unfaithful
Romero stays away from the Bates house to help Norman adjust to a normal life. Norman soon tells him of plans to get a second job to pay for his own insurance in order to let Romero out of his arranged marriage to Norma. Romero tells her that Norman needs to be told that they're in love. Meanwhile, Rebecca is picked up at the airport by the DEA, but is told they are actually after Romero in connection with Bob Paris. At the Bates house, Norma, Romero and Norman have dinner together. Norman gets into an argument with his mother over her allowing Romero into their lives, when she and Norman were so close to the point of him not being able to have girlfriends. Norman storms out to chop wood in anger; Romero follows. Norman approaches him with the axe, but destroys a shed and proclaims that he hates Romero.
9. Forever
Romero tries unsuccessfully to convince Norma to recommit Norman into Pineview. Norman pours out his feelings to Dr. Edwards as Dylan and Romero secretly meet. They both are worried for Norma and want Norman back in the hospital. Dylan finds Audrey's earring and confronts Norma about it. Angered and blinded, Norma accuses Dylan of being jealous of Norman. Heartbroken, Dylan says that she has never been a mother to him, and tells her that Romero also wants Norman back in the hospital. Dylan says goodbye to Norman. Norma confronts Romero about going behind her back and ends their relationship. Norma then breaks down in front of Norman. She leaves a note for Romero and falls asleep. Norman lights the furnace and shuts all the vents in the house, causing carbon monoxide to fill Norma's room, in a murder-suicide attempt. Romero arrives and finds the two unconscious on the bed. He attempts to save both of them but is apparently unsuccessful in saving Norma, and he breaks into tears. Norman wakes to see his unresponsive mother.
10. Norman
As Norman is taken away by ambulance, Romero is questioned by a detective, who shows him Norma's note with the wedding ring in it. She mentions the possibility of Norma's attempt at murder-suicide, which sends Romero to collect Norman at the hospital. Norman balks, they scuffle and Romero promises to prove Norman killed his mother. The funeral home calls Norman to make arrangements. At the morgue, Romero places the ring on Norma's finger, and Norman later removes it at the funeral parlor. Romero goes to the service, which only Norman is attending. They scuffle again when Norman shows him the ring. Romero is later arrested by the DEA for perjury when he previously lied about being involved with Rebecca. Norman exhumes his mother's body to take home. Chick visits the house to offer condolences and sees Norma's body. He forces Norman to realize that she is dead. Norman goes to kill himself with Norma's handgun but hears music. He finds the house decorated for Christmas and "Mother" playing the piano.
Season 5
1. Dark Paradise
It has been two years since the death of Norma. Norman is now living alone and running the Bates Motel. He stays with his hallucination, "Mother", whom he believes faked her death to the rest of the world, while he is secretly keeping Norma's preserved corpse in the basement. Meanwhile, Dylan and Emma are living in Seattle now married with an infant daughter, and are unaware of Norma's death. Caleb shows up, much to the stress of Dylan, so Emma asks Caleb to leave for Dylan's sake. Back in Pine Bay, Romero is in prison serving a five-year sentence and is denied parole. Romero sends a hitman to kill Norman, but Norman murders him instead. He meets Madeleine Loomis, a young hardware store-owner who resembles Norma. While "Mother" and Norman dispose of the hitman's body in a lake, the man's phone rings. Norman answers it to hear Romero's voice.
2. The Convergence of the Twain
Norman visits Romero in prison to taunt him and Romero warns that he will come for Norman. Later, Romero gets into a fight with another prisoner and is sent to the infirmary. Norman goes on a dinner date set up by Madeleine and her husband Sam, who is cheating on her. "Mother" follows Norman and asks why he is having dinner with a girl who looks like her. Meanwhile, Caleb returns to White Pine Bay, looking for Norma, but instead learns that Norma committed suicide over a year earlier. He breaks down with grief at her grave. Later, he and Chick have an altercation in a bar. Caleb says he knows Norman killed Norma, because she would never commit suicide, and vows to get revenge. He goes back to the Bates house and discovers Norma's corpse in the basement. Norman, dressed as "Mother", attacks Caleb. Chick witnesses this, shocked.
3. Bad Blood
Caleb wakes to find himself chained in the basement of the Bates house. Norman, as "Mother", visits him to recount their history. This causes Caleb to slowly lose his mind. Chick, now aware of Norman's mental condition, remains at the house to research his true-crime novel based on Norman. Madeleine admits her troubled marriage to Norman, and they become friends. Meanwhile, Romero is granted a transfer, following his prison fight. He escapes custody, only to be shot while trying to steal a car from a farm. "Mother" insists that Norman should kill Caleb, as she cannot do it. Norman sets Caleb free, but "Mother" chases him into the road, where a distracted Chick accidentally hits him with his car.
4. Hidden
Caleb dies from the accident and Chick cremates the body. The new sheriff is informed about Jim Blackwell skipping parole and questions Norman, as Blackwell had the house's address. Meanwhile, the fugitive Romero tends to his gunshot wounds before showing up at Maggie Summers' house. Chick tries to move into the Bates house, only to be turned away by Norman, who does not think Chick being there is a good idea. Norman and "Mother" continue to get into arguments, as Norman wants to have control over his own life. Madeleine invites Norman over to her house for dinner since Sam is out of town, and they start kissing. "Mother" appears and Norman visualizes Madeleine with her throat slit. He runs back home, calling for "Mother", who is not there.
5. Dreams Die First
Norman awakens the next morning to find no sign of his mother. Sheriff Greene pays Norman a visit informs him that Romero may come after him. In Seattle, Dylan explains to Emma why he cut off contact with Norma, revealing that Norman is sick and Emma's mother went missing after checking into the motel. Emma later discovers that Norma is dead. Back in Pine Bay, Sam's mistress, Marion Crane, goes on the run after stealing $400,000 from her boss; Madeleine confronts Sam about the affair. Elsewhere, Norman encounters his old therapist, Dr. Edwards, and is faced again with the reality that Norma is dead and he assumes her persona. He visits the White Horse Bar, and is confused when the patrons recognize him from the night before. A man attempts to seduce him and Norman has a flashback of "Mother" and the man having sex. Panicking, he flees home just as Marion arrives at the Bates Motel.
6. Marion
Norman greets Marion at the motel. At the same time in Seattle, Emma informs a shocked Dylan of his mother's death. After Norman and Marion eat dinner together, Norman spies on her as she undresses for her shower. He later reveals to her that Sam is married. When Marion sees Sam and Madeleine arguing at his house, she smashes his car windows in anger and returns to the motel. "Mother" tries to goad Norman into killing Marion, but Norman, unwilling to do this, fights back and forces Marion out of the motel before he can hurt her, saving her life. Marion leaves town as Sam shows up at her room. He decides to shower while waiting for her. When "Mother" compares Sam to Norman's father, Norman stabs Sam to death in the shower.
7. Inseparable
"Mother" and Norman dispose of Sam's body, though Norman does not want to hallucinate "Mother" anymore. Sheriff Greene reveals that Jim Blackwell's body was recovered. Norman buries Norma's frozen corpse in the woods in case police investigate his house. Dylan arrives at the Bates' house and says that Norman should have told him about Norma's death, and to let him help Norman, as he sees that Norman is sick. Dylan learns that Dr. Edwards is missing and presumed dead, even though Norman said he'd met with him. Dylan then meets Madeleine, who is worried about a missing Sam. Dylan asks Norman about Sam and encourages him to take his medication, but "Mother" takes over and tries to kill Dylan. Norman intervenes, yelling that Dylan is his brother, and Dylan, in shock, watches him struggle with himself. Norman comes to, dials 911, and confesses to Sam's murder.
8. The Body
Norman is anxious to be arrested, fearing that he will see "Mother" and she will intervene. He is interrogated, and given his medication, but "Mother" forces him to vomit it out and takes full control of him. "Mother" blames Madeleine for Sam's murder and says Norman confessed to take the fall for her. Dylan gets a lawyer and explains that Norman is not a criminal nor a bad person - he is mentally ill and needs a mental institution. Emma's mother's body is also found and identified from the lake, confirming Dylan's suspicion about Norman killing her. Romero returns to the Bates' property and finds Chick, who has set up his writing desk in the house. Chick is killed by Romero after mocking him and the entire situation. Sam's body is found next, and Norman, with "Mother" still in control, is charged with three murders.
9. Visiting Hours
Norman's attorney suggests entering an insanity plea, as he could be put to death if convicted. Emma arrives to see Dylan but is unsure whether the two of them will make it when Dylan takes his brother's side. After seeing the evidence presented at Norman's hearing, Madeleine asks Dylan how he can live with himself after knowing Norman was sick and still leaving him to do what he did. Emma decides to go back home, but not before going to see Norman. She instantly realizes he is in "Mother's" persona, and so asks him to tell the real Norman that she misses him. Romero discovers where Norman is and forces the officers to release him. He forces Norman into Norman's car and orders him to take them to Norma's body.
10. The Cord
"Mother" leads Romero to Norma's body and as Romero mourns over it, Norman subdues him and shoots him with his own gun. Before Romero dies, he tells Norman that Norman will never be able to escape from the fact that he killed his own mother. "Mother" tells Norman that with Romero dead and now that he really knows the truth - that he killed her - there is nothing left to protect him from, and she leaves him for good. Unable to handle this, Norman's mind regresses to when they first moved to the motel. Under that delusion, he takes Norma's body back to the house and invites Dylan for dinner. Dylan does not inform the police. Instead, armed with a gun, he goes. After seeing Norma's corpse at the dinner table, Dylan begs Norman to face reality but Norman is unwilling to live without his mother. Dylan is forced to fatally shoot him when Norman charges at him with a knife. Norman dies in Dylan's arms and thanks Dylan for letting him reunite with Norma in death. The motel and house are sold, and Dylan and Emma make a happy life together with their daughter.
Sources and content license
Source and revision history ↗ · Exact listed stories combined in catalog order. Sources retain their stated license; formatting and headings adjusted. Exact listed stories combined in catalog order. Sources retain their stated license; formatting and headings adjusted. Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Bates Motel season 1. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. Exact listed stories combined in catalog order. Sources retain their stated license; formatting and headings adjusted. Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Bates Motel season 2. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. Exact listed stories combined in catalog order. Sources retain their stated license; formatting and headings adjusted. Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Bates Motel season 3. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. Exact listed stories combined in catalog order. Sources retain their stated license; formatting and headings adjusted. Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Bates Motel season 4. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. Exact listed stories combined in catalog order. Sources retain their stated license; formatting and headings adjusted. Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Bates Motel season 5. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license