10. The Immutable Truth

Complete story — includes the ending

Romero finds Ford dead and one of his henchmen emptying the safe. He convinces the man to reveal Norman's location, and Romero and Dylan find and rescue Norman. At the hospital, a weak Norman tells his mother about his "dream" of killing Miss Watson. She tells him to rest and not think about it or tell anyone. Romero insists on giving Norman a polygraph test. At home, Norman prepares a list of things he checks off after completing – packing up his taxidermy hobby, telling Emma about Norma's rape and Dylan's paternity, and dancing with his mother. Norman takes a gun and bullets from his mother's drawer. In the aftermath of Ford's death, Jodi – convinced by Romero – invites her brother Zane to her house to talk about the future of their business. They have an argument and Zane kills her, after which Romero comes in and shoots Zane dead. Romero gives Dylan a free pass and tells him how the story's going to be. Norma finds Norman wandering in the woods with a gun and she is able to talk him out of killing himself. Wanting to flee the country with her sons, she ultimately allows the polygraph, wherein Norman is asked if he killed Miss Watson. His mother's persona emerges again and he answers "no". Norman passes the polygraph with a knowing smile to himself.