It’s not a matter of if Madeleine Loomis will die on ‘Bates Motel,’ but when

As soon as we set eyes on Madeline Loomis (Isabelle McNally), we knew she wouldn’t be long for this world. After watching Monday’s (March 13) episode of “Bates Motel,” the question on our minds isn’t: If she’ll die, but when.

It’s been pretty clear that Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin have followed through on their promise of flipping Alfred Hitchock’s iconic story on its head. Sure, we have yet to meet Marion Crane (Rihanna) — but once she enters the picture, everything is sure to get even more complicated for Norman.

It’s been pretty evident since he first laid eyes on her that Norman’s (Freddie Highmore) infatuation with Madeleine would only grow. Not only does she look like a younger version of Norma (Vera Farmiga), Mother’s old clothes seem to fit her like a second skin. If ever there was a perfect time for Norman to sever ties with Mother, this would be it: The disappearance of Jim Blackwell (John Hainsworth) has raised suspicions for the new Sheriff (a very welcome Brooke Smith!), leaving her relationship with Norman on uneven ground.

RELATED: ‘Bates Motel’ puts Norman’s psychosis in the spotlight

Over the past five seasons, “Bates Motel” has walked the uncomfortable line in exploring the Oedipus complex that existed between its leads. Adding a developing romance between Madeleine and Norman not only adds another layer — it opens up a whole new can of worms altogether.

Norman’s desire to break free is perfectly encapsulated in a scene in the woods: Hunting for Blackwell’s car, the two get in a heated fight that ends with Norman choking the life out of his alternate personality. For a split second, we see Norma in all her lifeless glory… And it’s enough to shake Norman to his core.

He succumbs to her in the end, showing us what we already know: Norman cannot properly exist without Mother pulling the strings. That doesn’t stop him from trying, though. Joining Madeleine for an intimate dinner at her house, a passionate kiss ends with visions of Loomis bleeding out on her kitchen floor.

Don’t get us wrong, here: It was definitely nice to see Norman find love. But as long as Mother is around she’ll be the one calling the shots. In the end, it seems any chance of happiness that comes Norman’s way will end up rotting in the basement or buried at the bottom of the lake. We want to be wrong, but something tells us Madeleine Loomis might be dying sooner than we expected.

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

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