for all that clay proclaims that he is "better" than his father (continuously punishing orel to show that he hasn't "given up on him", and that orel is still worth something in his eyes), he truly proves that he became like his father, and worse.
honor and passing share a theme, the irrational jealousy over a child getting attention. while in passing's case it was due to the accumulated trauma of having lost so many children, and the separation of clay's parents due that, as well as his own slightly selfish demeanors (not justifying arthur, just stating that part of clay's character that is important to nderstand him entirely), in honor, orel is seeking someone who shares a connection with his father, someone that clay had deemed "his"
clay has admitted to hoarding, specifically, people. he doesn't love bloberta, cannot stand her, but he has become so irreparably co dependent to her that in his eyes, he "keeping" her, truly means he is a better man, even if in nature he stated that he hated himself, and that in sacrifice, "you made them love you." and for him, Danielle loving him so spontaneously, is something he cannot lose. and something hindered by orel, who is getting the attention, the "love" he so rightfully deserves, given that clay measures affection with the image of his mother, and when bloberta drifted from it, Danielle entered.
I am not condoning Danielle's manipulation of Bloberta, stalking, abusing his position to get close to Clay, almost sacrificing Orel. But I am expressing that, by observing that Orel is not "the cure" but rather something linked to Clay and yet someone so different. The miracle, that Putty talked about. Now, Danielle is not much for miracles, but rather chances and gambles. And Orel is a winning gamble, a lucky strike that he cannot explain.
And in that constructed happiness, Clay is becoming like Arthur, dragging a taxidermized bear, trying to impress Danielle, who is giving preference to the child, in platonic affection. But because Moralton has no awareness of simple, platonic affection, it is confusing and enraging to him. Because he cannot truly understand it. Someone that loved him is leaving him for his child, and in his mind, it's like watching a picture of himself and his mother looking at baby pictures from a chilling distance.
Passing and Honor share the horrible misconception of affections. Of twisted ones, and others based on grief. As loving in only one way, and that way shouldn't go to the children, going back to the very first episode: "I love you enough." An admittance that the affection and love is destined for adults, and children take the scraps.
Truly, Clay has proven that he can be his father, and much worse.
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