10 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
"Bates Motel" Season 3 centers on Norma Bates, a mother fiercely protective of her son, Norman. Norman, increasingly disturbed and influenced by his "Mother" persona, struggles with his sanity and his relationship with Norma. Dylan, Norma's other son, navigates his own dangerous life while trying to protect his family.
The season's core conflict escalates as Norman becomes entangled in the disappearance and murder of a motel guest, Annika. This investigation draws Norma into a dangerous world of corruption involving Bob Paris. Key turning points include Annika dying after revealing crucial information to Norma, and Caleb, Dylan's father, being discovered by Norman, leading to Norma briefly leaving home.
The season concludes with Norma attempting to get Norman help, but he resists. After Norma knocks Norman unconscious, he escapes and encounters Bradley. However, "Mother" takes control, and Norman murders Bradley, dumping her body and car into the water.
Season 3 of Bates Motel covers episodes 1-10. Here's everything that happened:
Season 3, Episode 1: A Death in the Family - Norma learns of her estranged mother's death, causing mixed emotions. Norman is made motel manager and begins homeschooling after a hallucination at school. He develops an interest in a new motel guest, Annika, and Norman returns alone in her car. The episode ends with a sense of foreboding.
Season 3, Episode 2: The Arcanum Club - Norma investigates Anikka's disappearance, infiltrating the Arcanum Club and encountering Romero. Dylan and Caleb meet their suspicious neighbors, leading to Caleb shooting a dog. Norman and Emma go on a date. The episode concludes with a body floating in the lake, possibly Anikka.
Season 3, Episode 3: Persuasion - Norma attends business school and meets a psychology teacher. Norman grows closer to Emma, causing friction with Norma, who is questioned by Romero about Annika. Annika collapses at the motel, bleeding from a gunshot wound and hands Norma a USB drive before she dies. Romero meets his competition for re-election.
Season 3, Episode 4: Unbreak-Able - Norman questions Norma's affections and acts out with Emma. Norma seeks help with Annika's encrypted flash drive. Romero investigates Annika's death, linking it to Bob Paris. Dylan hides Caleb, but Norman discovers him. The episode concludes with Norman angered and threatening to tell Norma about Caleb.
Season 3, Episode 5: The Deal - Norma, after being run off the road, bargains with Bob Paris for the bypass in exchange for the flash drive. Dylan and Norman decide to tell Norma about Caleb, leading to a tense confrontation. Norma, furious about Caleb's presence, packs her belongings and leaves. Meanwhile, Romero finds Clay DuFont murdered.
Season 3, Episode 6: Norma Louise - Norma flees to Portland after the Caleb revelation, buying new clothes and a car. Norman spirals, prompting Dylan to punch him. Romero is shot but survives, retaliating by killing Marcus Young. Norma returns, deciding to confront Caleb for her sons.
Season 3, Episode 7: The Last Supper - Norma returns home to a mess, and Norman agrees to get help. Romero confronts his father in prison about his mother's name on Bob Paris' ledger. The family, including Caleb and Romero, share an awkward dinner. Norman later caresses Norma as she sleeps, accepting his twisted feelings. Dylan learns disturbing news about Emma's health.
Season 3, Episode 8: The Pit - Norma is shocked to find a large pit being dug on her property under the guise of building a pool. Dylan and Caleb take on a risky job involving guns, leading to a violent shootout. Romero confronts Norma, seeking the truth about her husband's death, but she lies. The episode concludes with Norman's mental state further deteriorating.
Season 3, Episode 9: Crazy - Bradley returns, seeking Norman's help to reconnect with her mother, only to find her mother has moved on. Norma attempts to manage the fallout from her secrets, leading to conflict with Romero. Norman's mental state deteriorates, influenced by "Mother," culminating in a plan to deal with Bradley. Caleb leaves town after beating Chick. The episode concludes with Norman and "Mother" walking arm in arm.
Season 3, Episode 10: Unconscious - Norma attempts to get Norman help, but he resists, leading to a fight where she knocks him unconscious and ties him up. Romero warns Bob Paris about the DEA raid, then kills him. Norman escapes, meets Bradley, but "Mother" takes over and murders her. Norman dumps Bradley's body and car into the water.
