The Fall of the House of Usher: Why does Roderick think his children are dying?

In "The Black Cat," the fourth episode of "The Fall of the House of Usher," Roderick Usher delivers a speech to his family, reiterating his authority and the need for them to follow his orders. This speech mirrors a similar situation in the past when Roderick confronted his boss, Mr. Griswold, about forged paperwork. While Roderick's family remains obedient, Mr. Griswold is on the brink of betrayal. Both situations foreshadow the downfall of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, with the only difference being the manner in which it will crumble.The majority of the narrative in this episode is set in the past, focusing on a younger Roderick and his involvement with Auguste Dupin. Roderick recalls their meeting, where Dupin sought his help in exposing a fraudulent clinical trial scheme. Tasked with confronting Mr. Griswold about the forged paperwork, Roderick is persuaded to overlook the issue and prioritize the success of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. Despite his wife, Annabel, and his sister, Madeline's, dissenting opinions, Roderick chooses to comply with his boss and further the company's corrupt agenda.In parallel to Roderick's storyline, the aftermath of Camille's death is being investigated in the present day. Roderick suspects foul play in Victorine's experiment and overlooks the circumstances of his daughter's demise due to his declining vascular dementia. Victorine, determined to proceed with the human trials for her heart mesh device, receives authorization from Verna, who is revealed to have signed critical papers. Verna's presence becomes a point of intrigue for various characters, including Arthur Pym and Tamerlane. Additionally, Frederick possesses a burner phone that holds crucial information, but he struggles to unlock it.The episode concludes with Leo's tragic demise. After unintentionally killing his boyfriend Julius' cat, Pluto, Leo tries to replace it with an identical black cat from Verna's pet shelter. However, this new cat exhibits aggressive behavior towards Leo, scratching him and leaving dead animals as gifts. Leo's paranoia grows, leading to a breakup with Julius and numerous attempts to rid himself of the cat. In his descent into madness, Leo falls to his death while chasing the cat on his balcony. As Julius witnesses this scene, the real Pluto, unharmed, approaches Leo's lifeless body. The episode ends with the revelation that the bathtub, which Leo had filled with the cat's supposed gifts, is empty. Leo's demise is attributed to his deteriorating mental state rather than external factors.In light of these events, Roderick begins to question the deaths of his children and suspects that they were not coincidental. While his understanding is still developing, he realizes that there may be darker forces at play. As the series progresses, Roderick's journey of unraveling the truth behind his family's tragedies promises to captivate audiences with its suspense and mystery.