Bates Motel Review: Marion (Season 5 Episode 6)

Just when you think everything is going somewhat smoothly, Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 6 titled “Marion,” most definitely finds a way to keep those twists coming!

On this episode of Bates Motel, we see more of Marion and the tragic fate she escapes from. She takes her shower all right, but she isn’t the one that dies–steering away from the Psycho film. Instead, Norman kills Sam Loomis.

As much as I wanted to give Rihanna a second chance with her portrayal of Marion Crane, I was left rather underwhelmed again. Rihanna is a phenomenal singer, but as far as acting goes she isn’t impressive. Sorry, Rihanna fans!

Anyway, Marion finds out the truth about Sam Loomis from none other than Norman, and she doesn’t take the news lightly. It’s so obvious that Norman lives for the drama, so I’m sure sharing that information with Marion is something he couldn’t resist. After all, he does still dig Sam’s wife.

The twist at the end of this episode gives us another sequence of this disturbing relationship between Norman and Mother. They form a partnership, a partnership like we haven’t seen before, and it is interesting because it just adds another level of crazy to this mother and son dynamic.

Mother fuels the flame to the fire as she ignites Norman’s rage to turn into a murderous rage. She brings up how Sam Loomis reminds her of his father. Norman’s father treated Norma poorly, and Sam Loomis treats women poorly as well, so he clearly must be punished, right?

What a clever move by Mother. A part of me thought Norman was going to fight it off, like he has been eagerly trying to do so until now, but I guess Mother’s influence runs deeps for Norman.

Norman kills Sam the same way that Norman from Psycho kills Marion Crane in that gruesome shower scene. The shower scene and everything about it is spot on. Norman’s face is absolutely terrifying as Sam’s blood covers half of Norman’s face.

Here we go again with another murder in White Pine Bay! They just keep on coming.

The moment where Norman tries his best to convince Marion to leave and tells her to not look back is the moment where Norman is talking about himself. Only this time, it’s to save Marion from becoming his next victim.

He’s basically trying to rush her out of the motel before Mother pops up and corrupts his mind. Somewhere deep down Norman’s mind, there is compassion. However, maybe this compassion only qualifies for the attractive women he comes across.

“Marion” delivers yet another powerful scene between Norma and Norman and this is the kitchen scene. Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore never fail to blow me away with their brilliant acting. The way that Vera screams really loud sure does pierce through your soul.

When Norman tells Norma that all of this is him making things up in his mind, she absolutely loses it. This moment right here unfolds the absurd madness going on in Norman’s mind.

Norma still wants control over Norman and him not acknowledging her as his reality does not make her happy, but she does it in a way where she wants Norman to know that she’s always in control.

Norma is in a prison world, his mind is a prison, and Norma Bates has the key, but it doesn’t look like she’s going to free him any time soon.

Norma is manipulative and will always want the upper hand, and that scene where she throws around literally every kitchen object plus the food she made (all that delicious food) proves just that.

Norman can’t escape Mother, but I wish there were some more tactics in store for him to at least try. That scene is intense.

Dylan finally finds out about Norma’s death, and it’s nothing but fury between Norman and him on the phone. I wish Dylan found out about Norma’s death earlier on in this season. I wanted to see how it would all play out between Norman and Dylan.

Four more episodes left of this final season, and as I’ve said it before, I don’t know what to expect because this show keeps on coming up with surprises.

Other thoughts:

• I had a feeling that Marion was going to survive Norman’s wrath.
• Where’s Alex Romero? He’s been away for two episodes now, I’m curious as to what his next plot is in his mission to hunt down Norman.
• Chick has been MIA as well. Maybe he’s writing that book he’s so enthusiastic about.

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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