"Bates Motel" Season 3 returns with a new episode this week on A&E (air date: 3/30/15). Norman Bates' innocence was revealed in the previous episode, while his mother Norma became a keeper of some new secrets to be unraveled later in the series.
Spoiler alert: This update recaps the highlights of recent episodes of "Bates Motel" Season 3. Read on at your own risk.
Toward the end of "Bates Motel" Season 3, Episode 3 ("Persuasion"), Annika returns to the motel with what seems to be a fatal gunshot wound. Norma's relief over seeing Annika gets replaced by horror when she realizes her motel guest may have died in her arms.
Before Annika loses consciousness, she hands over to Norma a USB flash drive, saying this is for her and Norman. Viewers are speculating on the information in the drive. This could be related to the Arcanum Club, where powerful people, including Sheriff Romero, are involved.
Norman Bates is presumed to be innocent in Annika's death. For one, she comes back alive. Second, she even shares with him some secrets that could be massively helpful later on. "Bates Motel" Season 3 is becoming more interesting.
Romero's investigation is expected to get more complicated now that he could tell for sure Norman Bates is innocent in Annika's disappearance (and perhaps eventual death). If Annika officially dies in this week's "Bates Motel" Season 3, Episode 4, Romero will be looking into two mysterious deaths.
The next election for White Pine Bay Sheriff is approaching, and Romero has met his fierce rival. Norman Bates' innocence is only one burden off his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Norman Bates returns to school in this week's new episode. The synopsis does not drop hints on the USB drive. Still, what happens next to Norma in "Bates Motel" Season 3 is expected to be connected to Annika's death.
"Bates Motel" airs Mondays on A&E.