Yknow whats fucking crazy like. Clark didn't want to change, and he didn't actually admit to being wrong and instead fell back on "I'm just like this" which is both cowardly and heartbreaking, and so I think the film does try to convey at this moment that some people cannot be saved and its healthier for you to let them go. But in my opinion, just because Mary couldn't do it, doesn't mean somebody else couldn't.
One of the many things I love about the kitchen scene is that he was willing to let Mary go and not drag her down with him, when so many people like him who can't admit to their mistakes feed off of others energy to feel better about themselves.
Their first scene together has them discuss being alone, and Clark thinks he deserves that. In the backrooms I think Clark probably didn't believe that he was alone. He had Captain Clark, and the other still lives. He was in an empty shell of a memory, and was... content. Not happy. Just content. Still. Like a faded memory that was once joyful.
Did he deserve to be alone? I really like him so no, I don't think so. I don't want to entertain the possibility that it was for the best, because he was willing to let other people find their way out, there is hope. He shuts people out to protect them, ultimately.
If Clark had actually gotten explore that acceptance of his self isolating instead of his anger, with somebody else, I believe there could've actually been progress.
(Like, Mary was working in complete backwards its wild. But to be FAIR she didn't know he didn't want to change which can be up to so many factors of how that could've come to light. Did they need more time or did he actually need somebody else? And from my interpretation, if it did come to light with Mary, she would've recommended him to someone else. Her vibes don't give "I want to help this person through their struggles by identifying with them" and instead "I want to help this person by trying to make them overcome their struggles" yknow?? Maybe that doesnt make any sense but it does to me. She wouldve noped out of there if he admitted to it 🤷♂️)
ANYWAY. Captain Clark biting Clark to me was proof that he did change. Because he finally accepted a part of himself that Captain Clark didn't hold.
Which imo, does take a certain type of cognitive processing to admit outloud. If there was a client like Clark, it would be up to them to stay in therapy to discuss that or move on and fuck off from the therapists life. So I believe there is a version of Clark's story where he realises he doesn't want to change, but still wants to improve his life. And I genuinely think there are therapists who are willing to still help people like that. Mary however was definitely not that.
In saying that, they 100% intended for Clark to be a tragic character.
Do I think his story resolved in an "unsatisfsctory" way when looking at it as a character arc? Yes, because that is the point. If you come away feeling like there had to be a proper resolution to his story, you're probably either missing the point or wanting better for him. It was untimely and cruel after giving you that glimmer of hope that he's not heartless, that he's just a man who is deeply hurting because he thinks he deserves to be alone. And that really drives home the writing for me because even if he was very far gone, I still believe there is a version of him that could've made it out too.
