McB

I felt sympathy for McB the entire time. He was a soldier injured in unfamiliar enemy territory and then wakes up surrounded by caring (and in some cases) attractive women. While all of the "sweet nothings" he planted on them were for pure manipulative purposes, I'm sure the physical attraction was genuine (but also slightly manipulative). In a just world full of rational people, McB would have simply been forgiven but kicked out of the house to fend for himself. Instead, the jealous ladies had their pride hurt and chose to take the vindictive and torturous route - which is unfortunately nothing more than human nature. The entire film was a great character study in terms of motivations, past traumas, and psychology. Great film and grossly unknown and overlooked.

I think the old adage is apropriate here, Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned. Even Carol retaliated after she saw McB with Edwina thinking she was his favorite. If Edwina hadn't pushed McB downstairs Martha would have found another way to punish him.