Okay earlier I assumed Norma’s immediate aggressive response was because Barney was, inherently, a stranger to her, but this is… has Norma been hit before? Like, is she getting bullied at school or something? This isn’t reflexive self-defense- this is flinching.
I’ve watched the entire series now and I can still say without doubt that this isn’t how Norma acts about touch. Normally when touched Norma will move away, will bunch up her shoulders, will vocally reject it. She IS reactive to it, in a “ball myself up or run away” manner, but she doesn’t flinch like this. And this wasn’t a rapid movement- Barney held a hand up, she noticed it, noticed it wasn’t in motion, and yelped instinctively anyway.
And after her performance saying how Pauline saved her life… I’m becoming more and more convinced Norma’s got someone bullying her. Be it at school or somewhere else.
