Gus’ disappearance leaves his father, Clarke, struggling with feelings of guilt and hopelessness. In Expats, Brian Tee plays Clarke Woo.
Clarke’s family moved to Hong Kong from the US for his work. Initially, they planned to return home earlier, but Clarke extended their stay after being offered another contract.
Enjoying the comforts of life in Hong Kong, Clarke saw extending their stay as a harmless decision until Gus went missing.
Clarke’s guilt
When Margaret takes their children out with Mercy and Gus goes missing, Clarke’s family undergoes a significant change.
Struggling to cope with the loss of Gus, Margaret is affected more than anyone. She is unable to fully be there for their children
Due to that, Clarke must step up and take care of the entire family, all while grappling with his own grief over the loss of his son.
He cannot help but feel responsible for losing Gus. He believes that his family is being punished for his greed, which made him extend their stay.
Furthermore, he believes that whoever took Gus did so because he resembled Clarke. If Gus looked more like Margaret, he might not have been targeted.
He strives to remain strong for his children and wife, but it becomes increasingly challenging to support Margaret.
At a time like this, Clarke, who does not believe in God, starts going to church, as he needs a place where he can think and hope.
There, he meets Pastor Alan, who listens to Clarke’s problems and gives him hope. A desperate Clarke then seeks comfort in prayer.
Hoping for closure
When the police ask Margaret and Clarke to identify the body of a boy they have found, Margaret and Clarke finally discuss their problems.
Margaret disapproves of Clarke’s association with the pastor upon learning about Clarke attending the church.
On the other hand, Clarke wants to go home for the sake of their children, but Margaret thinks that leaving Hong Kong would mean abandoning Gus.
In that difficult moment, Clarke follows Pastor Alan’s advice and prays earnestly for a resolution, hoping that the body found would be Gus’.
However, he later regrets wishing for his son’s death for the sake of closure when the body does not turn out to be Gus’.
Following this, Margaret finally becomes aware of the challenges her children have been facing, realizing that Clarke has been handling them all by himself.
She also realizes that Clarke was right about going back home. Although Gus is still missing, Margaret agrees to return to the US, much to Clarke’s relief.
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