Clark has got to be one of the best-written horror antagonists in recent memory, and the thing I love most about his character is how the film makes you understand his hardships, while at the same time not using them to justify, excuse, or downplay his actions.
You really get a clear idea of how his own hardships inspire the bad decisions he makes. And at the same time, it doesn't pull any punches in showing you the consequences of those decisions, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the Captain Clark entity.
Yes, I don't doubt that he was going through a very difficult time in his life, but it goes without saying that it doesn't give him the right to lash out at everyone and make their lives difficult. And it sure as hell didn't give him the right to take out his frustrations on his spouse or Mary!!!
That's why I love (to hate) him so much! He's not some run-of-the-mill mustache-twirling villain. He's understandable, relatable, and even sympathetic! And at the same time, the film is smart enough to not use those things that make him understandable, relatable, and sympathetic to excuse the harm and hurt he chose to inflict.
P.S. Mary's crashout on him was absolutely glorious to behold!
