I don’t think we talk enough about how well Bill controlled Ford through isolation. Yes he scared Fiddleford away, and threatened to further break his relationship with Stanley, but he also successfully isolated Ford from basically the entirety of HUMANITY. Bill’s praises weren’t just an appeal to ego or to convince Ford he was smarter than everyone around him, they convinced him he could accomplish more than any human ever could. Any relationships Ford could have were worthless, don’t you agree? They could never understand — how could they? They were human, and Ford was being blessed by something more. What could they have to offer him, that Bill couldn’t?
(Nothing but unconditional love. And Bill can’t have Ford knowing that someone might love him despite his mistakes, that someone might love him not because of what he’s accomplished, but because of who he is.)