10 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
In "Bates Motel" Season 4, Norman Bates, a troubled young man, struggles with his increasingly dominant "Mother" persona. His devoted mother, Norma, desperately tries to protect him, even marrying Sheriff Romero for insurance to get him into psychiatric care. Norman's brother, Dylan, and his girlfriend, Emma, are largely absent from the main conflict.
The season's core conflict revolves around Norman's deteriorating mental state and Norma's desperate attempts to manage it. Norman, convinced Norma is the killer, is committed to Pineview, but manipulates his way out. A major turning point is Norman, as "Mother," murdering Emma's mother, Audrey. Later, Norma and Romero marry for convenience, but their lives become entangled with Norman's instability and hidden money.
The season culminates in tragedy. Norman and Norma attempt suicide together, filling their room with carbon monoxide. Romero finds them, but Norma is dead. Norman, fully embracing his delusion, brings Norma's corpse home, believing she is still alive.
Season 4 of Bates Motel covers episodes 1-10. Here's everything that happened:
Season 4, Episode 1: A Danger to Himself and Others - The episode begins with Romero disposing of Bob Paris' body. Norman is found and admitted to a psychiatric unit. Norma seeks help for Norman, even proposing to Romero for insurance. While Dylan is in Portland with Emma, Norman, dressed as Norma, murders Emma's mother, Audrey. The episode concludes with Norman's descent further into his "Mother" persona.
Season 4, Episode 2: Goodnight, Mother - Norman confronts Norma, believing she's a killer and recalling visions of her murdering Audrey Decody. Norma, terrified, seeks Romero's help to commit Norman to Pineview. Norman nearly convinces Norma they should commit suicide together, but Romero intervenes. Norman signs the Pineview consent forms and is taken away. Emma, meanwhile, successfully has her breathing tube removed.
Season 4, Episode 3: 'Til Death Do You Part - Norma and Romero get married in a civil ceremony, a union of convenience that quickly becomes complicated when Romero moves in. Norman, struggling at Pineview, tells Dr. Edwards that Norma is the unstable one. Romero's former lover raises concerns about Bob Paris's money, leading Romero to hide it in Norma's basement. The episode concludes with Norma and Romero seemingly consummating their marriage.
Season 4, Episode 4: Lights of Winter - While at Pineview, Norman convinces himself Norma is the killer and escapes with a new friend, Julian, leading them to a strip club where Norman has visions of his mother. Norma and Romero grow closer, attending a winter festival, but their house is ransacked upon their return. Dylan and Emma plan a move to Seattle. Norman finally admits he needs help.
Season 4, Episode 5: Refraction - Norman attempts therapy, but fears revealing too much. Norma hires a craftsman to fix the broken window. Chick arrives, claiming to be from the hardware store, and learns about Caleb. Romero confronts Rebecca about the break-in. Dr. Edwards meets "Mother" during a session. The episode concludes with Chick's arrival and Norma feeling uneasy.
Season 4, Episode 6: The Vault - Norman uncovers repressed memories in therapy, including a traumatic event involving his father. Norma confesses her past with Caleb to Romero. Dylan discovers Audrey's belongings, realizing she never checked out. Norma is unable to kill Chick. Dylan decides to investigate Audrey's disappearance.
Season 4, Episode 7: There's No Place Like Home - Norman discovers Norma's marriage to Romero and manipulates his way out of Pineview. Norma, with Romero's help, starts new projects, unaware of Dylan's troubling search for Emma's mother, Audrey. Despite warnings, Norma allows Norman to return home. The episode concludes with Norman back at the Bates Motel, and Norma's life potentially in jeopardy.
Season 4, Episode 8: Unfaithful - Norman struggles with Norma's relationship with Romero, leading to intense confrontations. Norma tells Norman she loves Alex, causing Norman to become ill. Norman spies on Norma and Alex. Rebecca is apprehended by the DEA, who want her to implicate Romero. The episode concludes with Norman wielding an axe in anger.
Season 4, Episode 9: Forever - Norma refuses to acknowledge Norman's instability, straining her relationships with Romero and Dylan. Dylan and Romero conspire to have Norman committed. Norman discovers Audrey's belongings, hinting at his crimes. In a disturbing climax, Norman attempts suicide with Norma, filling their room with carbon monoxide. Romero finds them, but Norma is seemingly dead.
Season 4, Episode 10: Norman - Following Norma's death, Norman struggles to accept her passing, while Romero seeks revenge. Norman arranges a funeral, which only he attends. Romero attacks Norman at the service, leading to his arrest for perjury. Norman digs up Norma's corpse and brings her home, fully succumbing to his delusion.
