New promo for Bates Motel season 3, starring Vera Farmiga, is not normal

Last Updated on July 22, 2021

We all go a little mad sometimes, but some things just aren't normal. We get a glimpse at some of those things in the latest promo for the upcoming third season of "Bates Motel", which is set to premiere on Monday, March 9, on A&E.

From executive producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin “Bates Motel” serves as a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film Psycho and provides viewers with an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates unravels through his teenage years.

This is one of the coolest promos for "Bates Motel" I've seen since the show began. I particularly enjoy the cover of "Enjoy the Silence", as it seems to really fit with some of the twists and shocks we can expect to see this season. While I wasn't that pleased with season 2, I'm still very much excited to see what the upcoming season has to offer.

This season focuses on the evolution of the Bates family and dives head first into Norman’s waning ability to stay in denial about what’s happening to him and the lengths he will go to gain control of his fragile psyche. The dramatic events of last season leaves Norma (Vera Farmiga) reluctantly more aware of Norman’s mental fragility and is fearful of what he is capable of.  

After a blissful summer of closeness with his mother, living within the safe confines of home and the Bates Motel, Norman’s fears about what really happened with Blaire Watson resurface and Norma questions what really happened.  Forced to look at the truths about Norman for the first time, their deeply intricate relationship continues to evolve. Norma finds herself turning to the other man in her life, Norman's half-brother, Dylan (Max Thieriot) and begins to rely on him in ways that she never expected. This relationship inevitably triggers jealousy in Norman and a new kind of love triangle between Norma and her two sons erupts.

 Estranged brother and uncle, Caleb (Kenny Johnson) returns to haunt the family throughout the season challenging the family bond even further. Pressures of the outside world take a hold of the family when newcomers Kevin Rahm (“Mad Men,” “Desperate Housewives”), Tracy Spiradakos (“Revolution”) and Ryan Hurst (“Sons of Anarchy”) arrive at White Pine Bay. After a summer of living at the Bates Motel, Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell) and Norma have grown closer but there will always have that troubling question mark surrounding Norman. Something doesn’t feel right, but spite of his instincts, Romero finds himself continually drawn back to the Bates family — and to Norma. Emma (Olivia Cooke) also determined to find out what is happening to Norman becomes more emboldened, fearless, goes after the things she wants. Familiar face, Bradley (Nicola Peltz) returns to surprise the family and digs up old memories.

"Bates Motel" returns on March 9.