Mother quotes from Bates Motel

[to Norman] We belong together. There's a cord between our hearts.

Pretending to be dead isn't nearly as much fun as I thought it would be.

Honey, I know you're in shock right now. Big deal. You'll live. You can think about the meaning of life later, but right now, we've got shit to do.

[after dumping Sam's body down a well] If I had a quarter, I'd make a wish.

I know you think I'm a monster, and I do believe there are people in this world who are fighting for good. But honey, there is no good. There's just life, which is hard and cruel and undeserving of your kind soul. I know you tried, I know you did. You tried so hard for such a long time. Honey, you are in a big pickle, Norman, you are. I'm not mad at you, but I can't let you do any more damage. It's time for me to fix this.

Just be patient, Norman. If this goes well, in the morning you can come back and keep me company. I don't mind admitting that I miss you.

Norman, you need to know something very important.

Norman Bates

What, mother?

You didn't kill Blair Watson. I did.

Norman Bates

You did?

Yes. You have to keep this a secret. Do you promise?

Norman Bates

I promise.

I will always be there for you. I will always protect you, no matter what. Remember that.

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.

I'm sorry. Norman will probably have to kill you. I can't do it.

Caleb Calhoun

It doesn't really matter. I love you, Norma Louise.

I know.

Norman Bates

I don't like how things are.

Neither does all of anyone in God's creation. We are a species of complainers. What makes today so special?

Norman Bates

Was Jim Blackwell driving a car?

Yes.

Norman Bates

A '90s silver and black Lincoln?

Maybe.

Norman Bates

Okay, well, where is the car, Mother? The sheriff was just here. They're searching for the car. So what did you do with it?

Don't worry. I hid it in the woods.

Norman Bates

[panicked] The woods?! Is it near us?

It's far enough.

Norman Bates

Okay, Mother, get up. We are going to that car.

Why? So you can be seen in the vicinity of it and get caught?

Norman Bates

No, because we need to get rid of it in a better way than just leaving it in the woods like the remains of a pie we didn't eat at a picnic!

You're mad because I left.

Norman Bates

I'm not mad - except in the British sense of the word, like the Mad Hatter. In that way, I am mad. But there are plenty of mad people who function, some of whom are heads of state. So I think I can manage running a motel.

Come on, you're confused. Sit down. Let me take care of you.

Norman Bates

I'm not confused. I think for the first time in a long while, I'm actually starting to have some clarity.

Nothing like a crazy person announcing their own clarity.