Bates Motel Bosses Explain That 'Devastating' Twist 

, check out (ha!) of this story now before it’s too late

unleashed the mother of all plot twists in Monday’s penultimate Season 4 episode. At least we

During the hour’s haunting final act, Norman (Freddie Highmore) set out to take a forever nap with mom Norma (Vera Farmiga) as carbon monoxide filled her bedroom. His murder-suicide plot — which played out against the world’s creepiest version of “Mr. Sandman” — was thwarted when Alex (Nestor Carbonell) barged into the quasi gas chamber and dragged both of their lifeless bodies into the oxygenated hallway. His timing proved fortuitous for Norman, who quickly came to. Norma, however, did not respond to his relentless resuscitation efforts. At least she hadn’t by the time the episode concluded, leaving open the slight possibility that next week’s season finale could kick off with a miracle.

Should Norma fail to spring back to life, then

still in front of it. Exec producer Carlton Cuse promises that the life-or-death question hovering over Norma “gets answered next week,” adding, “We designed [the finale] to be the emotional response to [Episode 9]. We don’t really want to say anything too specific because it would spoil [the finale].”

RELATEDCable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: What’s Coming Back? What’s Cancelled? What’s On the Bubble?

‘ matriarch received ample warnings — from both Alex and elder son Dylan — that Norman was on the verge of a potentially deadly psychotic break. But she simply wasn’t hearing it, especially not in the wake of her lover’s betrayal. “Anybody that goes behind your back to do something as gigantic as getting your kid committed, their trust would be pretty burned up at that point,” fellow EP Kerry Ehrin explains. “And the thing that she loved about Alex was the trust.”

As it is, the deck was already stacked in Norman’s favor. As Ehrin maintains, “When it was

Norman against Romero — even though Romero

the healthy choice — I think that Norma’s mental fragility [and] her history made her cling to Norman.”

Highmore, meanwhile, calls his character’s actions “sad but understandable” before noting, “This is what he genuinely feels is the best for both of them.”

mates? Do you think Cuse and Ehrin will send Norma to her rocking-chair grave with 11 episodes still left?

I had a feeling they’d go this direction, even with an entire season left. The fact that I knew it was coming didn’t lessen the tension at all. The show is just that good.

Yes! Definitely even though I knew it was coming, the way it was executed was EXCELLENT! This show is so well done!

Same here. I could actually FEEL my heart pounding during that last sequence-I love how they make use of the creepy house, especially when it’s completely dark (I liked the moment earlier in the episode when Norman just kind of eerily appeared from the shadows as he entered the doorway to Norma’s room). And god, Romero…I was literally

begging him to get inside that house as soon as humanly possible.

The part that freaked me out the most, though, had to be when Norman turned his head to look at Romero as he started sobbing and cradling Norma in his arms. Good freaking lord, the look in his eyes…that sent SERIOUS chills through me. If there was any doubt left that Norman had gone completely to the dark side, that expression in his eyes completely obliterated those doubts.

As for whether or not Norma’s actually dead, I’d assumed her death was going to happen next season instead of this one. If this is indeed the official end for her, then expected though it was, it will still be sad because I just plain love her character. But fortunately, as someone else pointed out in this comment section, Vera can still be around for the moments when Norman interacts with the “Mother” side of his personality, so that’s something. And I’ll be VERY interested to see how all of this will set us up for the final act of Norman’s evolution into a psycho next season as a result.

If this is not the end yet for Norma, however, and they do indeed wind up killing her next season, then I’ll just sit here nervously waiting to see what new method Norman will try to get rid of her.

I’m pretty sure Norma is alive. This is just another fake out like The Walking Dead wanted us to think Glenn was dead.

I don’t think she will die just yet. Remember, in Psycho, no one knows Norma is actually dead.

It’s exactly what I thought was the “game changer” that was referred to…in a way, I hope I sticks, and then we have the setup for the last season showing how Norman gets to the “Psycho” version of himself…we could still see Vera as Norman truly commits to his “mother” side in his mind.

Yes…this is what I think as well. This could be the end of Norma, but not the end of Vera…..crafty.

Those last 10 minutes were truly worth the hype. I was on the edge of my seat with my heart pounding! And then when it ended, I just stared at my TV with my jaw dropped in complete shock. Here I was thinking Dylan, Emma or Alex would die in this episode, but not NORMA! Hopefully she gets resuscitated next week…but either way, the show will never be the same after what Norman has done. We’re spiraling towards the finish line, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out!!

I really thought it was going to be Alex or Emma! I’m shocked!

I knew Norma’s days will come to an end, but certainly not that early!

It wasn’t too hard to guess since they’ve been advertising this episode as containing some sort of shocking twist. I REALLY wish the networks would stop doing that. Just run the episode and let us be surprised for God sakes.

That’s one of the reasons why I don’t watch show previews and ff through all comms.

I am fortunate to watch this online – no previews or commercials for me. Makes a difference.

The idea of advertising is to get people to watch who may not.. sorry you watched them..

I don’t think that anyone who has sat out the last 3.75 seasons would choose now to jump in, regardless of advertising.

What’s wrong with Norma – I would leave my husband for Alex!

In the movie Psycho Norman killed his mother, so, if the writers want to stay true to the film, Norma’s going to have to die at some point.

He poisons both his mother and husband in the Psycho movie. So I hope they stay true to the movie. Even though I love Alex. Yummy lol

I think Alex dies. Everyone assumes Alex and Norma ran off together because he was under investigation by the FBI, leaving Norman behind because they were tired of dealing with his issues. It’s a reasonable thing for people to think that leaves Norman in the position he was in at the start of Psycho. The only question is what happens with him having killed Emma’s mother? I’d have believed her and Dylan could have ridden off into the sunset if not for that . . . the setup needs to be paid off somehow.

From what the creators have said in interviews its likely that the Psycho setup gets done in this season finale (maybe Norman killing Romero and making it seem like a homicide-suicide like in the movie, perhaps ending with a scene of Norman stuffing Normas body). Most intesting part i think will be what to do with the Dylan character, since its non canon. Reminds me of a theory floating around that Dylan is the one who becomes the movie Norman.

I see Emma and Dylan as the hope of the entire Bates motel universe, that yes this story is so twisted but something good did happen from Norma and Norman going to White Pine Bay…. Norma moving there and Dylan following them and eventually finding Emma was the only real good thing she did for him. I don’t see Dylan being that, it horrifies him to think what Norman is and has done, he’s had to protect himself but he has too much humanity and good in him to become that character in my opinion.

PLEASE DON’T KILL OFF NORMA. SHE IS THE SHOW! SHE IS FABULOUS! I KNOW HE KILLS HER IN PSYCHO BUT PLEASE PLEASE DONT KILL HER! SHE IS SUCH A GREAT ACTRESS! I DON’T THINK I CAN WATCH IT ANYMORE IF SHE IS GONE! I FEEL SICK. I AM DEVASTATED!

It’s not Bates Motel without Norma Bates!! Period she makes this show the heartbeat….

Unfortunately I’m not hopeful for her to be alive. Imdb.com only has her for 39 episodes and Freddie for 40. :( heartbreaking to see Romero at the end

it only shows 39 right now because the 40th episode hasnt aired yet!!!

She’ll still be there; Norman has a split personality. We will likely see more of Vera.

Bates Motel you’re killing me! I love these characters! Maybe not Norman. So upset with tonight’s episode! Have to say this is a great show and it will hurt when it ends!!

I live this show , I can’t wait each week to see what happens next

One thing I can’t understand is Norman lights the furnace which obviously emits carbon monoxide and he closes the vents except the one in the room which would obviously kill you. My point is if he didn’t close the vents, wouldn’t the whole house fill up with carbon monoxide?

If you remember the previous episode they had a guy fixing the furnace because it was broke, (remember the house being very cold). Norman was on the stairs listening to the technician talking to Norma, so that’s where he got the idea.

I hope it is not, nor do i think this is a fake out. Normas death makes sense entering the final season and it would serve to give Alex and Dylan a purpose for next season, that being getting Norman committed. Once Dylan finds out about Norma, I sadly don’t see him ending up in Seattle. Even if investors figure out the carbon monoxide was no accident, The letter Norma wrote will make it seem like Norma planned the Murder-Suicide, thus getting Norman off the hook. The only question I have is what was Norma planning when she wrote the note for Alex, it seemed like a goodbye note which she left on the night stand, so was she planning to take off with Norman, it just seemed as though she wasn’t planning ti see Alex again.The great thing is Vera Farmiga still gets to be on the show via Normans visions. Now, the final comment/ question i have is was Norman trying to commit suicide because he realized, after finding the robe and putting it on, what he had become, or was he simply trying to ensure him and Norma would be together forever and escape all the chaos going on? At first i figured he was just trying to kill Norma, but after he laid down with her I wasn’t sure what his rationale was.

So fittingly in what is possibly her final act ,writing the note to Alex, Norma got Norman off the hook for murdering her,

Variety.com posted an article that answers your questions and gives a lot more insight than this article.

I thought he would do this since the beginning of the season… Not the gassing but attempt to kill/kill her and next season Vera will be ‘mother’. I’m just catching my breath… They shoot these scenes so well. It’s going to be hard to prove Norman did that so he can run the hotel and fully become the monster he is. It’s brilliant because the psychiatrist has a soft spot for Norman so it will basically will be Alex trying to prove it and his credibility is shot because of the investigation of Bob Parrish and Dylan may be too devastated to back it up because he too has a soft spot for his little brother. This show does not get the recognition it so richly deserves.

I love this show. I look so forward to every episode. I love Norma. She is awesome. Please don’t kill her off…yet!

I have a feeling she’s really dead :( They could continue the entire next season with her because she’s Norman’s other personality. We’ll still have the actress, just not her character. I hope I’m wrong, but it can happen even if it seems “too soon” for her to die, especially because we won’t lose her completely.

IF Norma is indeed dead, I will really miss all her screaming and awkward, funny moments like how she responded to Romero “Well, are you dead?!”.

Vera will probably still be on the show even if Norma is dead but Vera as Norman will never have those moments so I really hope she is not dead YET because moments like that are the one I really love about the show.

I cracked up at that “Well, are you dead?” line :D. Vera delivered that so perfectly.

In a sign of quality writing, they have been foreshadowing this event in the last few episodes. First, norma and norman had no heat, which was why they started sleeping in the same bed, then Norma found out the furnace was broken and become a hazard, then, and I could be wrong, but Didnt Alex hide his bag of money in the furnace. It seems all season they complained about how cold it was in the house and Norman finally turned on the heat That’s great writing and a sign that this was the plan for awhile..

They have to embrace the Psycho roots, otherwise, what’s the point? It’s the very reason I watch this show. I wouldn’t even consider it a shocking twist. I expected it before the series began. How can you not?

The show is really about Norma . She will be back .

I knew this was coming, and yet I’m still wiping my tears in shock. This show is so good, it’s heartbreaking.

I actually got a lump in my throat during the entire sequence with Norma mourning the end of her relationship with Romero. Just the way she broke down while standing at the fridge, and the look on her face as she wrote her letter…I wanted to hug her!

So so sad! But…brilliant at the same time. Norma is my favorite character but also knew this was coming. what a blindside! Mind still blown!

This show is awesome I’ve watched it from day 1.. I think Dylan is adorable…. he looks alot like my son.. No we aren’t like Norman n Norma…lol. I think they are all incredible actors and I don’t know if the shows won awards but it sure should. I know Norma will still be on the show if she dies.. But I’m hoping she doesn’t. When she was staring in the fridge this episode I thought sure there was a head or something in it. I knew for sure when Norman overheard the furnace guy say how dangerous it was that he would gas somebody..

If anyone should be screwed up royally its Dylan, but nope he’s the most normal of the bunch…. I adore him!

I think if norma dies this soon in the seasons it won’t feel the same. I dont know if it would be as good. Just saying i been with bates since day 1 norma is the light of the show.

There is only 11 episodes left in the series. The creators have already stated in an interview that they refuse to go over 5 seasons.

Yes, Norma is gone but will be seen as Norman’s alter ego. Great way to make it all about Norman’s PSYCH..O!

I always knew this day was going to come. What I didn’t expect was to fall completely head over heels in love with Norma by the time it happened. Hats off to Vera Farmiga for playing her so superbly. Even if she will still be around to play “Mother” next season, this undoubtedly changes the entire landscape for the show. As it should. You can’t have a proper “Psycho” prequel without telling Norman’s origin story, after all.

I’m in shock with tears running down my face! My heart is breaking for Alex. This episode made me run for my phone to find out wth just happened!

I really hate to see this show come to an end. I Understand sticking to the movie history. The writers are artist and the actors are the best.:( I feel like it was a semi mini series.

I don’t know if I can handle a whole season with just Norman. Norma is the show for me. I hope she’s at least around in his hallucinations.

Agh! Can’t believe I have to wait until tomorrow morning when it’s on iTunes to watch. This sucks!

Oh. My. God! Of course, I suspected this would come eventually, but the writing, acting and directing of this season has made every single thing that much more exilerating, terrifying, and shocking. Seriously this season better get some Emmy love.

Even if she IS dead, she can still be in every episode since he becomes her and listens to her anywya

I have never missed an episode of Bates Motel. After all Norma has done to protect Norman, she finally found happiness with Romero. Norman was safe at Pine Vies but as an avid Bates fan, I knew she couldn’t say No to him coming home. She loves him so much she is blind to his problems. I will be devastated if Norma does not survive the carbon monoxide poisoning. Norman, obviously unstable, wanted to seal their fate together. If She does not make it to the final season I will be seriously disappointed. I will still watch the episode 10 of season 4 of coarse, and anxiously wait another year for a last season. It’s not based on the film “Psycho” for nothing!

If they stick the landing next year – which I think they will – this will go down as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Kudos to everyone involved.

Omg! I just saw “Forever” and I’m freaking out !! I don’t want Norma to be dead !! I’m in shock, that was an amazing episode! Oh I can’t wait to find out what happens next week !!

Wow. I love this show so much. Norma (in Norman’s psychotic mind) will still be around.

I knew this was coming and still enjoyed every moment. The twist was not what I expected.

This is easily one of the best shows on television. So consistently edge-of-your-seat incredible. I had an inkling they’d kill Norma before the end of this season but it was still heartbreaking to witness, especially after seeing her so happy with Romero. I almost wish she had known that Norman was the one to kill her, but I’m also happy she never had to go through that pain. If only Norman had stayed at Pineview, but at least Norma had those weeks of happiness with Alex.

I just hope Dylan and Emma make it out of the series alive. That’s all I hope for at this point. But whatever happens, what an incredible show. I know the writers will end it right.

It’s hard to believe that Norma would be dead with 11 episodes left but how she would come back to life after this last episode beats me….I can imagine her dying later, because doesn’t Norman put his taxidermy skills to use again?

Alex will probably be so mad and go for Norman. With Norman’s luck he will probably push Alex down the stairs and then Norma will gasp for air and make a comeback, thinking Norman saved her or something.!

I have never in my life watched a better show than this. These people who have created, directed, written and acted in this series have just surpassed anything I’ve seen. I hope and pray that they take on another series next year and maybe start making movies — the ones I’ve seen at the theaters lately could use this writing team’s help! Love this show — hate to see it end. Who knew everyone was going to fall in love with Norma Bates!

This show is so well written. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Norma could very well be dead if Norman gets thru this and runs the motel what a lot of psycho stories can come forth with his going back and forth with poor Norma sitting in a wheelchair as a corpse. Congrats to the writers. And the splendid acting from all the cast

No…no no. Please don’t kill Norma yet!!!

Let there be few more episodes before her unenviable death. We all know she does die and spend the rest of her decay in a rocking chair but not yet. Please! !?.

Norman Alex Norma I love them all great characters and of course Dylan and his new love. Bates #1!!!!!

The way the Real Psycho movie goes, Norman kills his mother AND her husband in her bed. It will be inevitable that Norman will kill them to follow truth to the real story line. The ending will simply show Norman running the motel alone, when some woman checks in who steals money from her boss, and Norman killing her and finally getting put away for good. IMO it would be more satisfying if Norman gets locked up for good before he kills his mother, but we will have to wait and see if the writers want to “change” the outcome.

No, it doesn’t end here, Norman will probably kill his mother and Alex if she lets him get out again. I don’t think any one can stop Norman.

Norma will continue to give Norman more chances and he will keep getting out of Pine View until he finally kills her and Alex.

I refuse to believe that Norma is already dead! Especially with 11 episodes left.

Oh I hope not!!! I’m simply devastated!! Bravo in this episode and this season!!!! Wow wow wow!! You have all outdone yourselves…this season is phenomenal and by far the BEST season yet! Nail biting….long week for me.

The Voice Top 9 Performance Recap: The Front-Runner Takes a Tumble

Dancing With the Stars Week 8 Recap: Did the Right Couple Go Home?

Castle Promo for Stana Katic\'s Exit Teases Tragic End to \'Epic Love Story\'

General Hospital\'s Jason Is on \'Different Path\' With His Memories Returned

Bates Motel Bosses Explain That \'Devastating\' Twist

1Castle: Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas and 3 Others Poised to Return for…318

2Castle Promo for Stana Katic\'s Exit Teases Tragic End to \'Epic Love…250

3The Voice Top 9 Performance Recap: The Front-Runner Takes a Tumble245

4The Good Wife Series Finale Recap: \'Nothing\'s Ever Over – Remember…232

5Good Wife EPs Reveal Alternate Alicia-Jason Ending, Insist Final…185

The Flash Sneak Peek: Metahuman Girder Rises From…

Dancing With the Stars Week 8 Recap: Did the…