TV Review: Bates Motel S4, Episode #5 (Refraction)

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

EPISODE 5: Refraction

CHECKING IN:  Norma (Vera Farminga) and Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell) get even closer, Dylan (Max Thieriot) and Emma (Olivia Cooke) settle into their "normal couple" life while Norman (Freddie Highmore) pretends to embrace therapy and "Mothers Out" in front of his Doc!

THE ROOM: Bates Motel is back after a small break in what I like to fall a “transition episode". Looking back this season has been pretty non-stop in terms of bombarding us and its characters with obstacles and curve balls; last night's entry took a more chilled path though, revving up its engine and setting up its pieces for its last two episodes of the season. In the name of going about it in a different way this week, I’m gonna go “random thoughts” the whole way through. Here it goes!

Even when imaginary, Norma sizzles!

-Right off the bat, allow me to say that PSYCHO ruined this episode for me in some ways. I mean now that the Doctor has seen Norman take on his other identity; I felt a glimmer of hope for the lad… then I remembered PSYCHO. The same goes for Norma being so at peace with Romero – I was happy for them crazy kids! And then I remembered… PSYCHO.

-Witnessing Norman (Freddie Highmore) play “hide and seek” in therapy with his doctor (played by the mucho cool and affable Damon Jamal Gupton) was a treat to behold! But when he subtlety turned into Mother before the Doc’s eyes, I must admit at being amazed by the transition. Yes we’ve seen the switch happen before, but not like this and once again, Freddie Highmore KILLED IT. Wow.

-Now that Dylan and Emma are more open together, they are making for quite the cute couple (loved that sex/calendar line). I know it wouldn’t make for great drama, but what about this: LEAVE THEM ALONE – NOTHING HAPPENS – NOBODY DIES – THEY LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. The end. Just a thought…

-F*ck Chick Hogan. That is all!

-The episode managed to fool me with that one “Is Mother there for real or not?” game it played. Kudos!

I am loving these scenes! Great acting going on here!

-Romero and Norma are also coming off great together. I loved how content they look (both characters so deserve it) and having Romero admit to the killing of Bob Paris was genius. It upped the intimacy of their relationship and showed just how in love Romero is. Alas, it also had a ROMERO WILL DIE bell ring in my head cause, ya know, Norma is not allowed to be happy and will eventually get whacked by her son. Again… PSYCHO! That blows…

-Dylan had some pimp moments this episode. He went buff Magic Mike and his job interview where he admits in selling weed was gold!

-Didn’t care for the Chick cliffhanger they left us with, but at least the preview for the next episode left me on a high note  Caleb will be back baby and in my book, the basterd is DEAD by the end of the season.

Got some random thoughts of you own about this episode? SHOOT! See ya next week!

RATING ON 10

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