The Fall of the House of Usher: How was Madeline manipulating Roderick?

In "The Black Cat," the fourth episode of The Fall of the House of Usher, Roderick Usher finds himself caught in a web of deceit and corruption. The episode delves into both the past and the present, intertwining the stories of Roderick and his family as they navigate the aftermath of Prospero and Camille's deaths.In the past, a young Roderick is confronted with the revelation that his boss, Mr. Griswold, has forged his signature in paperwork related to problematic clinical trials. Despite his initial desire to expose the corruption, Roderick is persuaded by Griswold to remain silent and be a team player. This decision weighs heavily on Roderick's conscience, and he must grapple with the choice between doing what is right and advancing his career within Fortunato Pharmaceuticals.His wife, Annabel, urges him to take a stand and expose the corrupt practices of the company. Madeline, Roderick's sister, sees this as an opportunity to take control of Fortunato and restore it to its rightful place as their family's legacy. The advice Madeline gives to Roderick is to seize this chance and destroy Griswold, reclaiming their birthright and pulling Fortunato out of the darkness.In the present, Roderick is faced with the investigation into Camille's death and the questionable experiments conducted by Victorine. Roderick's cognitive decline due to vascular dementia adds an additional layer of complexity to his decision-making process. Despite his deteriorating mental state, Roderick becomes fixated on Victorine's heart mesh, eagerly awaiting its human trials and ignoring the circumstances surrounding Camille's demise.Throughout the episode, the mysterious figure of Verna reappears, raising suspicion and intrigue for Roderick and Madeline. Arthur Pym provides them with evidence of Verna's presence at the laboratory on the night of Camille's death, intensifying their desire to confront her. However, their attempts to find her are met with obstacles, including a bar with wood-covered windows and a foreboding raven.Meanwhile, Frederick, Roderick's son, struggles to unlock a burner phone that holds crucial information about Prospero's secret gathering. His search for answers becomes intertwined with Leo's descent into madness. Leo, haunted by his previous actions, attempts to replace his murdered cat, Pluto, with a new one. However, the new cat exhibits strange behavior, scratching Leo and leaving disturbing gifts around the house. Leo's paranoia and drug use escalate, leading to a tragic and bizarre death when he falls from a balcony while chasing the cat.In the end, the episode suggests that Roderick is beginning to understand the connections between the deaths of his children and the corruption within Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. He is poised to make a decision that will determine not only his own fate but also the future of the company. The advice Madeline gives him becomes a catalyst for action, urging him to take control and bring down those responsible for the dark deeds that have plagued their family.As the series unfolds, it is clear that the Ushers are facing a battle against the forces of corruption and the secrets that lurk within the House of Usher. The advice Madeline gives to Roderick serves as a reminder to seize opportunities, expose wrongdoing, and ultimately reclaim their rightful place in the world. Only time will reveal whether Roderick will heed her advice and rise above the darkness that surrounds them.