Norman Bates quotes from Bates Motel

Norman Bates

What are you making?

Julian Howe

Self-portrait. I need some air. I don't know who thought it was a good idea for a bunch of medicated psychos to spend the morning inhaling glue. Nice cat, by the way.

Norman Bates

It's a dog.

Julian Howe

It's cute that you care.

Julian Howe

Did you start your meds?

Norman Bates

Yeah.

Julian Howe

You sleep?

Norman Bates

Not really.

Julian Howe

Yeah, well, that'll go away. You may even sleep more.

Norman Bates

I think I'll sleep better when I'm home in my own bed.

Julian Howe

You gonna miss your mommy tucking you in? [Norman looks offended] It's a joke, dude. Lighten up. I'm I'm sorry if you're homesick.

Norman Bates

Oh, no. I'm not homesick, Julian. I'm going home.

Julian Howe

Seriously?

Norman Bates

Yep.

Julian Howe

Dr. Edwards sign off on your paperwork yet?

Norman Bates

He will.

Julian Howe

No, he won't. Even if he did, someone like you, you're gonna boomerang back here in one, two months, tops. That is, of course, unless your family freaks out and dumps you back here sooner.

Norman Bates

Someone like me?

Julian Howe

Yeah, I'm... look, I know you think you're different, playing all calm and nice, but you don't wind up in a place like this just 'cause you're normal.

Norman Bates

You're right, Julian. I'm not normal. But I'm also not like you. I may be crazy like you are, but I'm smart, and I can get myself out of this place because I want to. I know how to make the world see me as someone normal, someone kind, someone nice, and you just can't do that. That's why you're never gonna get out of here.

Norman Bates

I just really wanted to thank you for everything that you've done for me. And for my mother. I know it was a very difficult time for her, and I know that it probably meant a great deal for her to have a friend there. And the fact that you married her, it's above and beyond. We're both really very grateful.

Alex Romero

Oh, that's, uh, I mean, I was happy to do it, Norman.

Norman Bates

I-I just want you to know that you can be done now.

Alex Romero

Uh, I can be done how?

Norman Bates

I know you got married for the insurance, and I don't want to burden you with it. I'm an adult, and I'm going to get my own insurance.

Alex Romero

All right, well, um... Uh, insurance is... it's really expensive, Norman. And I-I know the motel hasn't been doing well, and...

Norman Bates

There's other places to work besides the motel, Sheriff. And other things that I can be doing besides managing. So I'll be getting a part-time job while I continue on at the motel. And as soon as I get all this straightened out, which should be in the next two weeks, you and my mother can get a divorce.

Alex Romero

You know, Norman, uh... things change, and that's just that's a part of life.

Norman Bates

That's where you're wrong. Certain things can never change. Things that you know nothing about and never, ever will. But I will always remember that you helped my mother at a time that she was so confused and so vulnerable.

Alex Romero

I-I think you need to be careful about how far you want to push this, Norman.

Norman Bates

I'll let you know when I have my own insurance and we can start the paperwork for the divorce, so as not to expose your fraud.

Norman Bates

Mother!

Norma Bates

[gasps] Geeze! Norman! Don't jump out from a bunch of trees and sneak up on people!

Norman Bates

I didn't jump out from a bunch of trees you're just on edge. What's going on?

Norma Bates

I don't know Norman. I don't know what's going on. You know why!? Because no one tells me anything! Things that you do. Things that affect my life. I mean but why talk to me about anything? I mean what am I? Like a doll? And the men folk are gonna hash out who gets the woman in the homestead?

Norman Bates

Oh I see. So he told you?

Norma Bates

Yeah he told me because he respects me enough to tell me.

Norman Bates

Pfft.

Norma Bates

What the hell does that mean? Pfft! That's bullshit Norman. Anyone could do that. Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! [mockingly] I just diminished what you said!!

Norman Bates

Maybe this just isn't the place for this discussion. Mother.

Norma Bates

I tried to talk to you about it at the house but Dylan and Emma were already there. I am so upset with you. And I don't want to get into it so STOP PROVOKING ME! STOP IT! [storms off]

Norman Bates

You might as well tell me what's wrong. I know you're angry it's not like I can pretend you're not and go have a glass of cider and a candy cane and fa la la la la!! You're ruining everything!!

Norma Bates

Fine!! I cannot believe that you went behind my back to tell Alex that he and I should get a divorce!

Norman Bates

Mother! You don't have to lie to me. I know you've been sleeping with him. That you had to do it to get insurance for me! That sort of thing is horrible and you shouldn't have to live life like that, no one should. But if I have learned one thing at Pineview, it is that sometimes you have to let other people help in order to alleviate your burdens.

Norma Bates

But that's not what happened!

Norman Bates

...

Norma Bates

He's a good man...And I like him.

Norman Bates

You like him?

Norma Bates

...Yes.

Norman Bates

Okay Alex, there's something that you don't seem to understand. Nothing is going to change. You can be married to her, you can be sleeping with her but you're never going to get in between us.

Alex Romero

I'm not trying to.

Norma Bates

Norman there's room in the human heart for more than one person. It doesn't diminish the love that's already there.

Norman Bates

Oh really? Imagine that we are on a ship at sea. The ship is going down and there is one tiny boat and room and provisions for two. Who are you gonna put in that boat with you?

Alex Romero

Well maybe you and I get in Norman and we leave her on the ship.

Norman Bates

My whole life, you have kept me so close to you that I couldn't breathe without you. You never wanted me to have a girlfriend or even a good time. I-I gave up everything. Everything for you, Mother. And I did it gladly, because I understand the bond between us, the cord. I understand that it is huge and sacred and unique. And now you want to tell me that doesn't matter. Now, all of a sudden, there's room for someone else. Well, there isn't, a-and you know it. This is our world. Our world, Mother! And that's what love is. Real love. Not this pale corpse you're trying to put in its place, and you never will be able to. You are setting yourself up, and he is making you think that it's possible!

Norma Bates

Get this through your head! No one is making me do anything! I am a grown woman. I love him. He loves me. And that is it. And you have to deal with it!

Alex Romero

You need to grow up a little right now, and you need to think of your mother.

Norman Bates

Don't patronize me. I have spent every waking moment of my life thinking of my mother.

Alex Romero

Well, then you need to think of her as a human being, Norman. She's always gonna be your mother. Nothing's ever gonna change that. But don't you think she wants to be with someone? W-w-with a partner? A friend? A lover? Someone she can share her life with? I mean, why is that such a terrible thing? Don't you think she deserves to have a man in her life?

Alex Romero

Put that down. Oh, back up. Back up. Back up.

Norman Bates

AAAAH! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you so much! AHHH!

Norma Bates

Norman? What happened?

Alex Romero

I'm moving back in. I'll go home and get my stuff tomorrow. But I'm not leaving this house tonight.

Norma Bates

We're supposed to be together, aren't we, Norman? Are we?

Norman Bates

Yeah. Yes, we are, Mother. Forever.

Alex Romero

You think I'm putting up with any of your crap, you think again.

Norman Bates

My mother would just be touched at how you're handling her son, who she loved more than anything on this earth.

Alex Romero

Oh, yeah? That wasn't a suicide. We both know that.

Norman Bates

I-I-I tried to warn you. I tried to warn both of you it was never going to work. You pushed her too far, and you broke her. Now, I-i-if she has gone, it is your fault.

Alex Romero

That's not true.

Norman Bates

No, it is true. I don't want you anywhere near me. I don't want you at the house, and I do not want you near her at that funeral home or at the funeral. I don't want to see you ever again.

Alex Romero

Go on go on, cut me out of everything. I don't care now. She's gone, so what does it matter?

Norman Bates

What are you gonna do, kill me in the hallway?

Alex Romero

No, I'm gonna prove you did it, you piece of shit.

Hi, honey.

Norman Bates

You're here. You did come back. I thought you'd left me.

I'd never leave you. You know that.

Norman Bates

Mother, we're home. We're finally together.

Yes, honey, forever and ever.

I just don't know what you're thinking.

Norman Bates

Mother, I'm not thinking anything. She's just a nice girl. Would it really be that awful if I had a friend?

Oh, here we go...

Norman Bates

Oh, mother, what is wrong with you?

What is wrong with me? Well, let's see, uh, let's see... for starters: I'm dead. And why am I pretending to be dead? So I can get away from everyone and everything that could distract me from you, okay?

Norman Bates

I know that, and I appreciate it...

You "appreciate" it? "Appreciate it"? What, like I baked you a coffee cake or something? I spend 24/7 in this house, looking after you, feeding you, bolstering your moods, doing your laundry. I can't leave! I can't go anywhere! I'm going nuts here! I literally gave up my life to protect you, okay, to give you a life without trouble, and we're doing it. We're doing it, right? I mean, a mentally ill boy and a dead woman. We're actually doing it. We have customers, we have a life.

Norman Bates

I know, and I appreciate it.

Stop saying you appreciate it!

Norman Bates

I'm sorry, mother. It's not fair to you. I know that.

It's not that, okay? It's not that. It's just that... you just can't have other people in your life. I mean, what're you going to, bring her over? Where am I going to go, the closet?

Norman Bates

I'm not going to bring her here to dinner. That's just absurd.

I know you, Norman. C'mon, I know you. I know you better than anyone. You can't have other people, especially women. You just make my job harder.

Norman Bates

Your job?

Protecting you.

Norman Bates

Mother?

Yes, honey?

Norman Bates

What are we trying to do, exactly?

What everyone's trying to do. Just trying to survive.

Norman Bates

You know something? Don't think I'm unsympathetic to your plight. I know what it's like to be locked up somewhere, being watched all the time, because you put me in such a place. Do you remember?

Alex Romero

That was your mother's decision.

Norman Bates

Uh-uh. Don't lie. That is a lie. It was you. It was you. It was your way of trying to get rid of me. And I'm still alive.

Alex Romero

For now.

Norman Bates

Great seeing you, sheriff.

Alex Romero

I'm coming for you when you least expect it, so don't get too cozy up at that house all by yourself.

Norman Bates

Ah, "Mr. Davidson". You need a room again for a few hours?

No. I came to see you. This double date... I just came by to see what kind of a man you are.

Norman Bates

Not sure we have the same dictionary definition.

I'm not gonna stand here and explain myself to you. All I can tell you is, stay out of it.

Norman Bates

You're right, it's none of my business. I barely know you, or your wife. But, man to man, Sam, you don't care much for her, do you?

See, the thing is, Norman, I'm a nice guy, I really am. But in spite of that, I'm perfectly willing to kick your ass across that gravel out there if you breathe a word of this to my wife. Do we understand each other?

Norman Bates

I think so.

Don't screw with me.