Episode Grade: B-

Picking up from last week’s reality check, “Bates Motel” gets right back into the swing of things, and after weeks of built-up tension looming in the background, the coupling of Norman’s (Freddie Highmore) fragile mind with Cody’s (Paloma Kwiatkowski) destructive impulsivity inevitably leads to disaster.

“Plunge” obliterates any hope of the Bates keeping Norman’s killer blackouts a secret from the town and plunges headfirst into the turbulent future of Norma (Vera Farmiga) and Norman Bates, which is only destined for more death and destruction.

As the episode opens, the tone is surprisingly normal, or as normal as the Bates family can be. Norman is anxious for his driving test and Norma is just casually folding laundry at the kitchen table. Though, the mood immediately shifts when Norma’s anxiety unfolds after reading the newspaper’s grim news of the unsuspecting death of the head councilman (obviously a result of contending drug lord Nick Ford’s actions to “take care” of the bypass construction).

Norma’s worries only worsen when she finds a beer cap in Norman’s jacket. Despite the fact that Norman is actually behaving like a normal teenage boy for once, she needs control of the situation. While her actions are based on the best intentions, her protective nature comes off as domineering and suffocating.

In her usual abrupt madness, Norma rushes in front of Cody’s speeding car, demanding a moment alone with her. And, in a moment of vulnerability, Vera Farmiga brilliantly navigates the emotional spectrum, switching between the concerned mother who is desperately trying to protect her son and the overprotective mother who disapproves of Cody’s overall demeanor of a couldn’t-care-less teenager. She asks Cody not encourage Normans drinking for “medical reasons” (aka blackouts), but, in true rebel form, Cody immediately suggests going to steal booze from her father.

And, as warned, Cody’s antics lead to Norman having another blackout. While hiding in the closet after Cody’s dad comes home early, Norman has flashbacks to his childhood years in which he had to hide in a closet with Norma to hide from his own abusive father.

Meanwhile, Dylan (Max Thieriot) finally gets out of the hospital after last week’s gun fight. While it’s still unclear as to where the creators are going with the drug plot, Dylan is moving up the ranks in the business. He bonds with newcomer, and boss, Jodi (Kathleen Robinson), who offers him a place to stay (including a place in her bed), and asks Dylan to subtly take charge of operations and keep watch over her brother Zane (Michael Eklund).

And, of course, Nick Ford’s (Michael O’Niell) power and manipulation is having its effect on Norma, though for right now it’s all positive. He wants Norma at the head of the city council and, as the mayor says, “no one crosses Nick Ford,” so she scores the seat and will eventually have the power to stop the bypass construction.

The most significant aspect of the episode is Norman and Emma’s (Olivia Cooke) renewal of friendship. Since season one, their relationship has been severely lacking and Emma has been reduced to just a filler character. But in a moment of need, in which Emma’s health is challenged (she has trouble breathing after jumping into cold water), Norman’s strong feelings for her are reinforced, and he violently lashes out at Cody for encouraging Emma, like she’s some toy for her to play with.

Scared of Norman’s instability, Cody divulges Norman’s secret blackouts to Emma, and, in turn, she tells Norma.

In the ultimate form of control, Norma interrupts Norman’s driving test, asking the driver if someone can get a license if they have blackouts, and ultimately sabotaging any chances he had of gaining independence.

Livid, Norman ends up on Cody’s doorstep, verbally attacking her for telling; however, trouble arises when Cody’s dad wakes up and becomes abusive toward her. In the heat of the moment, Norman pushes Cody’s father, partly out of protection and partly out of anger, and ends up accidentally pushing him down the stairs and killing him.

The episode, relying heavily on built-up tension, doesn’t add much to the overall progression of the show till the last few minutes; however, it does develop the character relationships more fully.

While Norman and Emma’s relationship is restored, Norma and Norman’s is strained and it doesn’t bode well for the Bates. With the killing of Cody’s father, whether accidental or purposeful, Norman’s precarious mind can’t be contained any longer.

It’s only a matter of time before someone puts two and two together, most likely Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell), and the Bates history will be aired out to dry.

“Plunge” earns itself a B- for its tense final minutes. As Norman slowly transforms into a killer, the creators further bridge the gap between today’s Norman Bates and the “Psycho” Norman Bates, and it’s so exciting to see unfold.

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