We knew Norma wasn't playing with a full deck back in 1960 without even seeing her, just hearing Anthony Bates talk about how a boy's best friend is his mother was totally enough. No further exploration of their relationship really needed. But luckily, thanks to the magic of television, we now get to see the codependent, incestuous dynamic between the two as it played out during a young Norman Bates' teenage years. As a mother, she relies too much on Norman to be her "partner" -- yes, it's important for them to feel like a team, but in a lot of ways their interactions feel like a boyfriend and girlfriend. She gets pouty and jealous when it seems like he's interested in making friends his own age, and she guilts him into spending even more time with her. He's torn between wanting to please her, but also wanting his own life. And really, the less said about that big kiss between the two of them, the better.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
