SEAL Team is an action-packed TV drama that follows the professional and personal lives of the Tier One Navy SEALs. One of the main characters is Clay Spenser, played by Max Thieriot. Clay is a talented and dedicated SEAL, but he has faced many challenges over the show’s five seasons so far. Recently, there has been speculation among fans that Clay might be leaving SEAL Team in the near future. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why some think Clay could exit the show soon and provide an analysis of whether he is likely to actually leave.
Background on Clay’s Storyline
First, let’s provide some background on Clay’s storyline in SEAL Team so far. Clay was introduced in the show’s first season as a young, promising SEAL who was selected for Jason Hayes’ elite Bravo Team. He had big shoes to fill, as he was replacing a respected member of the team who was killed in action.
Over the seasons, Clay has proven himself to be a gifted and dedicated SEAL. He has formed strong bonds with his fellow team members and sees them as brothers. However, Clay has also faced extensive trauma during his service. For example, he was severely wounded during an operation in the second season, losing part of his leg. He had to go through intense rehab to regain his physical abilities. Clay has also lost several people close to him, including his father Ash and his best friend Brian.
These experiences have taken an emotional toll on Clay. While he remains an excellent SEAL, he has shown signs of PTSD and survivor’s guilt. In recent seasons, his mental health has become more of a focus as he undergoes therapy and counseling. However, it has been an uphill battle for Clay to process his grief and trauma while continuing to serve in an active capacity.
Reasons Clay Might Leave SEAL Team
Given Clay’s challenging experiences and mental health hurdles, many fans suspect that he could leave SEAL Team in the near future. Here are some of the main reasons this theory has emerged:
His Injuries
Clay’s severe leg injury during Season 2 caused him to be sidelined from active duty for an extended period. While he recovered and passed all his re-qualification tests, the injury sparked doubts about whether Clay would be able to sustain the extreme physical demands required for special ops long term. Even though he has participated successfully in recent missions, some wonder if Clay’s abilities could become limited over time, forcing him out of SEAL Team.
His Mental Health Struggles
Perhaps a bigger factor than Clay’s physical capabilities is his mental health. The constant violence, trauma, and personal losses Clay has experienced while serving have taken a huge toll. Clay has been diagnosed with PTSD and struggled with suicidal thoughts. While he is working with professionals, it can take many years to fully process these types of experiences. Some speculate Clay’s recent mental health challenges could make it impossible for him to continue serving on an elite team at his current capacity.
Desire for a “Normal” Life
In addition to health concerns, Clay may simply wish to pursue a more stable, peaceful life outside of special ops service. He has sacrificed so much and lost many friends to be an elite SEAL. Now in his late 20s, Clay could understandably want to settle down, perhaps find a romantic partner, and have a family. These types of personal goals are very difficult to achieve while living the dangerous, unpredictable life of a SEAL. Clay may decide the costs now outweigh the rewards and voluntarily leave Bravo Team.
Frustration with Leadership
Clay has also butted heads with authority figures like Jason Hayes in recent seasons. He sometimes disagrees with tactical calls made during missions. Clay also does not always appreciate Jason’s overprotective stance toward him. These tensions could boil over, leading Clay to voluntarily exit the team rather than continue operating under leadership he does not fully respect.
Analysis of Clay’s Likely Future
Based on Clay’s recent storylines and the reasons above, it is understandable why fans think he may leave SEAL Team soon. However, when analyzing the totality of evidence, it seems unlikely Clay will actually exit the show in the immediate future. Here is a more detailed breakdown of factors suggesting Clay will remain a key player:
Clay’s Importance to the Show
From a practical TV production standpoint, Clay Spenser has become a central character that the show relies heavily upon. He plays a key role during missions and has significant character development and storylines revolving around his personal life. Veteran cast members like David Boreanaz (Jason) remain with the show, but much of the younger cast has turned over. Losing Max Thieriot as Clay would be a major blow that would require significant reworking of the show’s dynamic.
He is Still an Active, Capable SEAL
While Clay has faced injuries and mental trauma, recent episodes have shown him passing qualification trials and participating actively in operations. He was sidelined in Season 2 after his leg injury but has since recovered enough strength and mobility to still operate at a high level. The show has been careful to demonstrate that while Clay is battling PTSD, he is still skilled and reliable on missions.
Likely More Storylines Ahead Exploring Clay’s Trauma
SEAL Team has heavily foreshadowed Clay continuing to struggle with PTSD, grief, and anger management. But his trauma storyline seems far from over. The show spent all of Season 5 slowly building up how deeply Clay is affected by everything he has experienced. It would feel abrupt and unsatisfying if Clay were to suddenly leave now before fully processing and working through his mental health challenges. More likely, future seasons will continue following Clay’s therapy journey.
Clay Has Loyal Allies on Bravo Team
Clay also continues to have close allies like Jason, Sonny, and Ray firmly in his corner. They want to support him on his path to wellness. While tensions have arisen at times, these veterans want Clay to heal while remaining on the team. They continue trying to save Clay from himself, indicating they are not ready to let him go. This support system makes it less likely Clay will choose to up and leave Bravo Team.
Clay Feels Responsible for His Team and His Country
Finally, while Clay has sacrificed a lot as a SEAL, the show has consistently emphasized his profound sense of duty and loyalty. Clay is willing to put his life on the line because he so strongly believes in serving his country and protecting his brothers in arms. He may want more work-life balance, but knows he has a rare set of abilities that allows him to save innocent lives. For that reason, it is hard to imagine Clay walking away from SEAL Team unless he absolutely had to for his health.
Conclusion
In the end, while Clay Spenser has certainly faced his share of struggles over SEAL Team’s past five seasons, the preponderance of evidence suggests he will remain a central part of the show’s cast for the foreseeable future. Clay is too important to the show’s dynamic, still seems physically and mentally fit enough for duty, and has too strong a sense of loyalty and duty to prematurely walk away if he can help it. That said, Clay’s PTSD and trauma recovery storyline is clearly far from over. Fans should expect to see him continuing to battle his inner demons and past grief while fighting to serve his country for as long as he can.