Bates Motel Review: Hidden (Season 5 Episode 4)

The severe psychosis of Norman Bates continues on as Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 4, “Hidden,” delivers a solid episode diving into his troubled state even more.

This time, Norman is at odds with Mother and is having trouble from choosing between doing the right thing or the appropriate thing.

Norman’s psychosis and his battle with Mother in his self-conscious is dangerous but also very sad to watch.

On this episode of Bates Motel, Norman fancies Madeline more than ever. Yes, Madeline is a married woman but both Norman and her know that she is unhappy and lonely.

In the scene where he watches her carrying a baby, you see the longing in Norman’s eyes, a longing of what seems like pure content we have not seen in him before.

Maybe deep down he still thinks about settling down, having a child, and being all in all a happy and content man. But he knows that he can’t have it, though at the same time you can just tell that he still thinks about a different life for himself.

If only that could be true, right?

Unfortunately, Mother will always follow him wherever he goes, and he’s pretty much stuck with her thoughts, emotions, and her unique way of nagging.

As we move further on with the episodes, it seems like Mother wants complete control of what Norman says, does, and thinks.

It’s like right when he wants to voice his own opinion or actually figure out a situation for himself, Mother sweeps in to prove her point in almost everything.

I think one of the things that makes this psycho-thriller TV show so addicting and compelling to continue watching is the depth of these characters. Both Norman and Norma are very complex characters that have so many layers to them, you don’t know what to expect.

Much to Mother’s dismay, Norman goes over to Madeline’s place when Mother clearly shows off her disapproval. The moment where he envisions Madeline’s throat being slit by Mother makes everything worse.

Norman Bates is nowhere near normal and his future does not look bright. Couldn’t he just enjoy that moment with Madeline?

Madeline resembling Norma still creeps me out, and it creeps me out even more now as Norman gives some of his mother’s dresses to her. C’mon now, Norman.

So Caleb is officially dead, like we all predicted. However, the send-off Chick gives to Caleb as he sails his body away in a boat with some pagan funeral ritual is amusing to say the least.

Chick is the weirdest, and for some reason seeing him do that screamed totally Chick-like to me.

While one character falls to his death on this show, another ones escapes death as Romero recovers from his gunshot wound.

Romero catering to his gunshot wound brought out the trypophobia in me, I had to look away. Gross.

Do gunshot wounds really look like that?

Ah, traumatizing to watch but I’m glad that he’s okay.

Romero worries me as each episode passes on. Not only is he out for full on vengeance against Norman, but he’s also a wanted fugitive. It’s like either way he goes about this will not end well.

It wasn’t too long before White Pine Bay replaced Romero as Sheriff as he was sent to prison. There’s a new sheriff in town and her name is Sheriff Greene. Looks like she already has some wariness towards Norman but she does it so subtly.

Norman’s gotta be careful now.

The most noteworthy moment of “Hidden,” is after Norman has his freak out session at Madeline’s place and rushes straight home to find Mother. She is nowhere in sight and Norman’s face automatically changes in the most frightening way.

In that moment, Norman Bates realizes his reality, and it’s a reality without dear old Mother. That face, that stare, that reaction gave me chills! Great acting goes to Freddie Highmore for this one.

Other stray thoughts:

• Yet another episode without Dylan and Emma, I really miss them.
• Fun fact: Max Theriot who plays Dylan directed this episode. A job well done to you sir.
• Chick gets too comfortable with Norman’s lifestyle and so he thought he could go ahead and move in. That was funny.
• I wonder when Sam Loomis will be back with his mystery woman?
• Okay but how did anyone in White Pine Bay not notice Chick’s pagan inspired funeral he made for Caleb?

What did you think of this episode of Bates Motel? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Bates Motel airs Mondays at 10/9c on A&E.

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