The unexpected death of Clay Spenser (played by Max Thieriot) didn't sit well with many dedicated viewers, as they believed his departure from the series felt rushed. Spenser was one of the main characters in SEAL Team from season 1 and remained a fan-favorite character through the seasons.
They didn't expect Clay to die until SEAL Team's final season. However, military dramas cannot be made without killing off some main characters to add depth and authenticity to the plot. Additionally, the actor was filming for another series at the same time, which played a part in his exit from SEAL Team.
In SEAL Team season five, Clay Spenser was devastated after losing a leg but didn't give up on his team. However, in the next season, he was shot dead while saving a veteran. The show featured Clay Spencer's sacrifice and dedication to his job, despite encountering painful incidents.
How did Clay Spenser die in SEAL Team?
Max Thieriot's Clay Spencer who was a second-generation Navy SEAL died in SEAL Team season six, episode 8 titled Aces and Eights after trying to save a veteran during his mission. Many viewers were disappointed with the writers killing off Spencer after featuring his desire to leave his job and spend time with Stella and his son Brian.
Fans were expecting to see more of Clay Spencer's story, as the series could have explored his life with his wife and son after he retired from the Navy. Following Clay's death in SEAL Team, fans expressed their views on social media, notably X (earlier Twitter):
User @AggieFanGUS also shared their opinion on Clay's death and wrote:
"Anyone wise watch Seal Team? They took Clay Spencer in the absolute dumbest way possible."
Another user @Learnthingss even tagged the actor and commended him for engaging viewers in two shows simultaneously:
"Major props to @maxthieriot for working 2 shows, one on Fridays and one on Sundays!! After todays episode of Seal Team it breaks my heart to officially say goodbye to Clay Spencer💔😭But excited for his continuing role as Bode Donovan on Fire Country❤️ #SEALTeam #FireCountry"
Max Thieriot co-created Fire Country and played a key figure. While talking about his role in Fire Country, the actor shared that the idea of creating Fire Country was inspired by his SEAL Team co-star A.J. Buckley, who advised Thieriot to create a show based on his real-life experience.
The actor appeared in more than a hundred episodes of SEAL Team from seasons 1 to 5. While many missed Clay Spenser in the show, others were happy to see him in Fire Country.
How Clay's absence impacts the narrative in SEAL Team
Now that Clay has died in SEAL Team, his death will have a significant impact on other characters. His departure was described as a "dark cloud" by writer and executive producer Spencer Hudnut in an interview with TV Insider.
Hudnut explained that Clay's absence in season seven might upset many viewers, and added:
"Obviously, there’s always gonna be adversities, there’s always gonna be traumas. This is a show about war and its impact on the men and women who fight it and their families."
They had to write off Clay from the military drama due to Thieriot's unavailability, but in the seventh and possibly last season of SEAL Team they "want to show hope" and highlight the sacrifices of other key figures.
SEAL Team season 7 has arrived today on Paramount+ and there were rumors that Thieriot will make his way back. However, his casting in the ongoing season wasn't officially confirmed, implying that the actor hasn't returned.
Who replaces Clay on the SEAL Team?
The next chapter of SEAL Team has finally arrived, replacing Clay Spencer with Omar Hamza, a foxtrot transfer portrayed by Raffi Barsoumian.
Other cast members of SEAL Team season 7 include David Boreanaz, A. J. Buckley, Neil Brown Jr., Dylan Walsh, and Beau Knapp. The first two episodes are out on the streamer, and a new episode will be released every Sunday till October 6, 2024.
SEAL Team is streaming on Paramount+
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