Norma Louise Bates quotes from Bates Motel

Norma Bates

Jeez, all I did was leave for a few hours.

Norman Bates

With a suitcase! We spent the night wondering if you were ever coming back. If you were dead.

Norma Bates

What does death have to do with a suitcase? [checking her phone] What the hell? Alex left me a message saying he was shot?

Norman Bates

What do you mean he's been shot?

Norma Bates

I don't know. What the hell? I mean, can't a woman get in a freaking mood for one night without the whole world coming to an end?

Alex Romero

Why haven't you answered your texts for 36 hours? I thought you were dead.

Norma Bates

I just lost my phone. Why does everyone immediately jump to "I died"?

Norman Bates

Are you really here?

Norma Bates

Yes, I'm here, and it happened!

Norman Bates

Well, then how could you do that?

Norma Bates

Because, Norman, you have no idea what it's like to be your mother! To see you have these blackouts! To worry about you night and day! It's killing me! IT'S KILLING ME! YOU'RE GONNA KILL ME NORMAN!!

Norma Bates

Where's the stupid piece of computer gear that's ruining my life?

Alex Romero

I turned it over to the DEA.

Norma Bates

You did what?

Alex Romero

Yeah. You know, all those people involved with it, they're all criminals, and they're gonna go to prison. And they can go to hell for all I care, 'cause I'm I'm sick of it. I'm sick of trying to accommodate them and accommodate everybody, and I'm I'm sick of trying to make all of this shit work. I'm done. I'm done with them, and I'm I'm done with this town. I'm done with everything.

Norma Bates

There's nothing wrong with Norman. There's nothing wrong with him.

Caleb Calhoun

Look, you can see the world however you want, Norma. Okay, I know you don't like looking at the truth, but the truth is Norman is gonna hurt someone. I just hope it isn't you. Good-bye, Norma Louise.

Alex Romero

I am sorry that I... That I couldn't protect you. If I could change that, I would, but I can't. I-it's it's done, it's in motion. And I wish it was different.

Norma Bates

It's not your fault, Alex. It's bigger than us. It was my fault, anyway. I tried to hide it. You know but now it's coming out, and it's just too much to shove away. I'm not gonna lie, I'm so scared. He's my son, and he's broken. And he is the dearest boy that ever lived, and I just can't bear it if Bob Paris has this thing investigated, if they take him away. If they put him in prison just for defending me. You know, it will kill me. But I you know, in some way, I don't even care anymore. You know, maybe fate wins here. We're all doomed in the end, right?

Alex Romero

N-Norma, I'm not magical. I've got nothing to do with Willamette.

Norma Bates

Yeah, but you're a sheriff. Don't you know someone? I mean, ca-can't you just pull some strings? Threaten someone. Beat someone up in a parking lot.

Norma Bates

I don't have any insurance, and I can't even get him on the waiting list without it.

Alex Romero

So?

Norma Bates

I need insurance. You have insurance. So I thought maybe you could marry me... It's not like you're doing anything else.

Norma Bates

Norman, you're scaring me.

Norman Bates

I'm not gonna lie, Mother. You should be scared. We should all be scared. I know about you now. I understand things. There's something dark in you, Mother, something that needs to be stopped. I know you killed that woman, the one who was here but didn't check out. I saw you scrabbling about in that pit trying to cover up your crime so I wouldn't know. I think you killed Bradley Martin and Blaire Watson because you were jealous of both of them. I think you killed my father. And you, you, you are trying to blame me. You're trying to pin it all on me and have me locked up! Well, I am not gonna let you do that!

Alex Romero

Do you remember when I first met you on the porch at the motel that night?

Norma Bates

Yeah, my heart stopped, mostly because I thought you were gonna arrest me.

Chick Hogan

We did not meet by accident. We were both hurt by the same person. You said that Caleb was your brother. But when Caleb introduced himself, it was as Dylan's father. Nah I mean, I only put this all together yesterday, but there aren't that many ways that that adds up, right?

Norma Bates

I- you- you're probably confused. He's, he- Caleb's crazy.

Chick Hogan

Mm. Do you want to be out of integrity with yourself, Norma?

Norma Bates

I want you to leave.

Chick Hogan

Why? Just 'cause you slept with your brother? Are you ashamed because he raped you? Or are you ashamed because you loved him?

Norma Bates

What do you want?

Chick Hogan

Caleb beat me, stole my money, drove off my wife and child. He had no idea the cause and effect of his actions, but that does not remove responsibility. He disappeared. I want to know where he is, Norma, and I want you to tell me.

Norma Bates

You want to kill him?

Chick Hogan

Is that what you want?

Norma Bates

No.

Chick Hogan

Why not? I mean, there must have been times when you thought, "If I was just stronger, if I had a knife..." I mean, why not? That would feel good, right? After all this time, just to... Maybe you don't know what you want.

Norma Bates

[crying] Um, I... please, I... I don't know where he is.

Chick Hogan

That's okay. You can think about it. And think about what you need, and I'll think about what what I need.

Norma Bates

It's funny, you and I, isn't it? That we're here, and... and we're happy, that after everything, we've made it. And you're going off to work and kissing me, and it's like I'm watching a movie, but it's not a movie.

Alex Romero

It's not a movie. [kisses her]

Norma Bates

[laughs] Don't screw it up.

Dylan Massett

How's, uh...

Norma Bates

Hmm?

Dylan Massett

How's the husband?

Norma Bates

He is very good. You didn't tell Norman, did you? He doesn't know.

Dylan Massett

No, I didn't say anything to Norman. Although I don't really understand why we all feel like it might bother him to hear that you're seeing someone, but...

Norma Bates

Well, because it's just... You know, he... we're very close, and he's fragile.

Dylan Massett

Did it ever occur to you that if you keep treating people like they're fragile, it might keep them from ever getting stronger?

Chick Hogan

You have something for me?

Norma

I can't get Caleb killed, and I can't kill you, so I'm screwed. I'm screwed! You got me! All I wanted was my freaking window fixed, and now you're gonna destroy my life! So just go right ahead. Just go right the hell ahead!

Dylan Massett

How's Norman?

Norma Bates

...He said he wants to come home. I won't let him, it's not time. He's just homesick. I'll talk some sense into him when I see him tomorrow.

Dylan Massett

You can't let him come home.

Norma Bates

That's what I just said. Don't be dramatic.

Dylan Massett

...I need to tell you something.

Norma Bates

Oh my God. Did Emma die!?

Dylan Massett

...What!? No!! Jesus Norma!! I just told you we'd go to the Christmas tree thing!

Norma Bates

Oh, right.