The mother/son dynamic between Norma (Vera Farmiga) and Norman (Freddie Highmore) has never been more crazy than in this week’s episode of “Bates Motel.” After last week’s argument over Norma’s suppression of Norman’s truthful nature, the tension between the two leads is so palpable you could cut it with a knife.

“Meltdown” chronicles the deteriorating relationship of Norma and Norman, exploring the complexities of their unhealthy dependence on each other, while gearing up for the inevitable tragedy of the Bates family (whenever that is has still yet to be determined).

As expected, the repercussions of Zane’s (Michael Eklund) stupid decision to shoot up rival drug lord Nick Ford’s (Michael O’Niell) warehouse brings the drug subplot to the forefront.

A drug war is waged and Dylan (Max Thieriot), as well as Norma, is dragged right in the middle.The mysteriously powerful Nick Ford uses Norma as pawn to get to Dylan, enlisting her to set up a meeting between the two (in which he tells Dylan to kill Zane or he will kill Norma).

However, the only good aspect of the drug plot is the character development it produces. The relationship between Norma and Dylan is far from perfect, but in just a few short moments of interaction between the two in Dylan’s office, the audience can see the true depth of their affection for each other in the subtlety of a look or a tender kiss on the cheek.

But most surprising is Sheriff Romero’s (Nestor Carbonell) character shift from hard-ass cop to the cunning, manipulative and brutal sheriff that will go to any lengths, including threatening his deputy, to get what he wants. And what he wants is to know why Norman’s semen sample was found in Miss Watson (as we all do).

Despite the lackluster drug plot, the episode’s central focus is on the Bates family dynamic, particularly Norma and Norman’s co-dependent relationship.

Their unusual affinity for each other is in jeopardy as Norman treats Norma as if he couldn’t be bothered with her, and Norma is reeling from the effects.

As per usual, Vera Farmiga is in stellar form, beautifully capturing the tragedy of Norma Bates who’s stuck in an endless cycle of worry for Norman.

Norman is her life, she lives and breathes to protect him, and it inevitably ends with her destroying any chance she has of having a normal life.

In an incredibly vulnerable moment, Norma finally gives up on her facade of the perfect mother, and admits to her date George (Michael Vartan) that she’s a mess. She grows increasingly emotional due to Norman’s passive aggressive behavior, and declares that her life is a lie and that she’s not the kind of woman that could date a man George’s caliber.

Instead, she runs back to the only life she knows—a life that is devoted to Norman.

But when Norman isolates her, declaring himself his own person and no longer in need of her in a chilling confrontation on the stairs of the Bates house, Norma falls apart, desperately wanting a connection.

So, she runs back to George’s place and seeks the only normal connection she can have—sex.

Freddie Highmore’s Norman is bone chilling. His soft-spoken manner and dangerous eyes make for a very scary character whose unpredictability can make anyone nervous of what he’s capable of.

“Meltdown” earns itself an A for the raw, emotional conflict between Norma and Norman. Their dynamic creates an anxiety that is so tangible, it wouldn’t be unusual for viewers to bite their nails in anticipation of the inevitable destruction of the Bates family.

And after the episode’s final moments, in which Norman is drugged and kidnapped (presumably by one of Nick Ford’s men), we’re certainly anticipating what’s to come in the final two episodes of the season.

“Bates Motel” airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on A&E.