‘Bates Motel’ recap episode 404: ‘Lights of Winter’

On Monday’s episode of Bates Motel, Norman and Julian have an adventure outside of Pine View, while Norma finds happiness with Romero.

An orderly brings Norman his meds. Norman asks to make a private call, but the orderly says staff always monitors. Norman tries to refuse his meds, but the orderly says he’ll have to lock him in until he talks to a doctor. Norman takes the pills but throws them up after the orderly leaves.

Norman asks Julian how to make a private call. Julian breaks him into the night staff’s office. Norman calls Dylan and tells him to take care of their mother because the police will be investigating her. Dylan asks if he can call Norman’s doctor. Norman backtracks and hangs up. Julian asks if Norman wants to break out. Norman says he’s being released that day.

Norma makes breakfast for Romero. He says he’s not sorry about what happened between them and kisses her. She says she can’t do it and urges him to eat. He tells her they need to get a joint checking account to make things look real. He also invites her to the winter festival that night. She says she’ll be visiting Emma and won’t be back in time. Romero asks about Dylan and Emma. Norma says it’s weird when people are suddenly together.

When an orderly tries to make Norman go to group, he says he’s getting out. Dr. Edwards asks Norman to sit with him.

Emma asks Dylan to move to Seattle with her and her father. There is a respiratory hospital and a college there. Dylan says he’ll gladly move with her.

Dr. Edwards says he’s reported what Norman told him to the local authorities, but he wants to continue to care for Norman. Norman is upset. He argues with the doorman to be let out of the hospital. Julian takes Norman aside and tells him not to harass the guard unless he wants to be restrained. Julian says he’s escaped dozens of times. He offers to take Norman out of the hospital that night.

Norma visits Emma, who tells her she’s doing the right thing with Norman. Norma says it feels wrong. Norma tells her to think about herself for a while.

Romero gets a text from Rebecca and meets her at the bank. She asks him if he killed Bob Paris. She says there is $3 million sitting in a safety deposit box in Bob’s name. She needs the other key. Romero says he doesn’t have it. He asks her to open an account for him and Norma. Romero goes home and opens his hiding spot in Norma’s basement. He finds the key in Bob’s passport.

Norma comes home later to an empty house. She decides to join Romero at the winter festival.

Julian uses another patient to create a distraction. He steals a doctor’s passkey from the night desk and he and Norman escape.

Romero gets a call from an agent with the DEA. He asks if Romero knows Rebecca at the local bank. He suspects her of laundering Bob’s money.

Norman and Julian hitch a ride to a strip bar. Julian says his family gives him money every time they visit. Julian goes to the VIP lounge. He leaves a wad of cash with Norman.

Norma finds Romero at the festival. While drinking hot toddies, Romero is asked to pose for a picture. Rebecca approaches Norma and introduces herself as Romero’s banker. She wishes them happiness. Romero tells Rebecca they need to discuss bank business later. Norma asks Romero who Rebecca really is. He says she’s someone he knew before he met her.

A stripper invites Norman to the VIP lounge. When she starts to strip, his persona changes to his mother. He asks her to get off him. She offers to let him dress up in her clothes. He puts on her feather shawl and she tells him he’s pretty. They kiss and Julian starts screaming for him. The bouncers try to remove Julian, but he resists. They beat him up. Norman tries to stop them, but they smash his head into a wall.

Norma and Romero make out in their entryway until they notice someone has ransacked the house. Norma asks who would do it. He holds her.

Dr. Edwards comes for Norman. Julian is at the hospital with a broken rib. Norman asks how he got to the club and whether anything bad happened. Edwards says no one was hurt except him and Julian. He tells Norman that Julian likes being chased. He knows Norman isn’t taking his meds. Norman says he’s tired and scared and wants help for his blackouts. He’s not sure what to believe about his mother anymore.

Watch scenes from this episode below.