10 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
Norman Bates, a young man, believes his deceased mother Norma is still alive and living with him, running the Bates Motel. His "Mother" personality increasingly takes over, leading him to commit violent acts. His half-brother, Dylan Massett, tries to live a normal life but is pulled back into Norman's dark world. Former sheriff Romero, who loved Norma, seeks revenge on Norman for her death.
Norman's delusion deepens as he keeps Norma's preserved corpse in the basement. Caleb, Dylan's father, discovers Norma's mummified body and is killed by "Norma" (Norman's personality). Later, Marion Crane, a woman checking into the motel, is stabbed to death by Norman under "Mother's" influence. Norman eventually confesses to a murder, leading to his arrest. Romero kidnaps Norman, forcing him to unearth Norma's corpse, but Norman, controlled by "Mother," kills Romero.
Abandoned by "Mother," Norman has a final breakdown. He attacks Dylan, who then kills Norman in self-defense. Norman dies, envisioning a reunion with his mother.
Season 5 of Bates Motel covers episodes 1-10. Here's everything that happened:
Season 5, Episode 1: Dark Paradise - Norman lives in delusion, believing Norma is alive. He manages the motel, encountering Madeleine Loomis, who resembles Norma. Dylan and Emma have a child, with Caleb's unexpected arrival disrupting their lives. Norman disposes of a body, revealed to be a hitman Romero hired to kill him. The episode concludes with Norman maintaining his false reality.
Season 5, Episode 2: The Convergence of the Twain - Norman visits Romero in prison, boasting about his freedom, while Romero vows revenge. Caleb returns, learning of Norma's death and finding her mummified corpse in the basement. Norman, dressed as Norma, knocks Caleb unconscious. Chick witnesses the scene, shocked. The episode concludes with Chick's stunned reaction to Norman's actions.
Season 5, Episode 3: Bad Blood - Norman, as Norma, holds Caleb captive, while Romero escapes custody. Norman releases Caleb, unable to kill him, but Norma shoots at Caleb as he flees. Distracted by a text, Chick accidentally runs over and kills Caleb.
Season 5, Episode 4: Hidden - Chick helps Norman dispose of Caleb's body. Sheriff Greene investigates Jim Blackwell and Romero's escape, increasing Norman's paranoia. Norman gives Norma's dresses to Madeleine. During a date with Madeleine, Norman hallucinates Mother slashing Madeleine's throat. Chick is turned away from living at the Bates house. The episode concludes with Norman realizing the house is a dump.
Season 5, Episode 5: Dreams Die First - Norman seeks Norma, discovering "she" frequents a bar and engages in sexual encounters. Emma learns about her mother's likely death and Norma's actual death. Marion Crane steals money and heads to White Pine Bay to meet Sam. The episode concludes with Marion arriving at the Bates Motel.
Season 5, Episode 6: Marion - Marion Crane checks into the motel, and Norman reveals Sam's marital status. Heartbroken, she confronts Sam. Dylan learns of Norma's death. Norman, influenced by "Mother," stabs Sam to death in the shower. Norman urges Marion to leave, and she throws her phone away as she drives off.
Season 5, Episode 7: Inseparable - Norman and "Mother" dispose of Sam Loomis's body, struggling with the act. Dylan returns, discovering Norman's deteriorating state and that Dr. Edwards has been missing for a year. "Mother" tries to murder Dylan, but Norman stops her. In a moment of clarity, Norman calls 911 and confesses to killing Sam Loomis.
Season 5, Episode 8: The Body - Norman confesses to Sam Loomis's murder, leading to his arrest. "Mother" attempts to control the situation, framing Madeleine Loomis. Dylan hires an attorney for Norman, while Romero seeks vengeance, culminating in Romero shooting Chick. Sam's body is found, and Norman is charged with multiple murders.
Season 5, Episode 9: Visiting Hours - As Norman is processed, Chick's dead body is discovered. Emma learns of her mother's death and attends the cremation. Romero, after learning of Norman's arrest, storms the police station, takes hostages, and kidnaps Norman. The episode concludes with Romero driving off with Norman, seeking revenge for Norma's death.
Season 5, Episode 10: The Cord - Romero forces Norman to unearth Norma's corpse, but Norman, controlled by "Mother," kills Romero. "Mother" then abandons Norman, leading to a mental break. Norman invites Dylan for dinner, presenting Norma's corpse. When Norman attacks Dylan with a knife, Dylan shoots and kills Norman. Norman dies happy, envisioning a reunion with Norma.
