The final episode of Expats brought closure to the intertwined lives of Margaret, Hilary, and Mercy, who had all been affected by a deeply traumatic event. Throughout the Amazon Prime Video limited series, the expat community in Hong Kong grappled with the result of Gus’s disappearance.
Episode 6 finally provided the women at the heart of the story with some resolution, showing how they attempted to fully embrace life again after a year filled with difficulties. While the series had consistently highlighted their struggles in moving forward, the concluding episode revealed the specific events.
A final chapter filled with departures, confessions, and second chances (Photo: Expats/Amazon Studios, Blossom Films, Local Time)It also revealed the decisions that enabled them to finally break free from the weight of the past. From the long-anticipated departure of the Woos to the US to Hilary’s trip to California to see her ailing father, Expats Episode 6 incorporated pivotal moments that had already been hinted at in previous episodes.
However, the finale still managed to introduce unexpected developments, including Margaret’s last-minute change of heart and the unexpected visit from Mercy’s mother. This visit led Mercy to confess the truth about her time in Hong Kong.
By keeping its focus on the three main women and the people closest to them, Expats succeeded in resolving all lingering questions while also offering a look into what the future might hold for them.
Why Margaret Chooses to Stay Behind Instead of Leaving with Her Family
Margaret deciding to remain behind while her family moved back to the US came as a surprise, especially since she had been the one to suggest relocating for the sake of Daisy and Philip. Yet, this was the only choice that made sense for her.
The pain of Gus’s disappearance affected her differently than the rest of her family, leaving her in a state of uncertainty while the others made efforts to move on. Throughout Expats, she either sought out those she believed were responsible or focused on how to carry on without Gus.
Unlike Clarke, Daisy, and Philip, the time had not yet come for Margaret to return home in episode 6, as she had not processed Gus’s disappearance the way her family had. The conclusion of the episode showed her taking steps towards living without waiting for news about Gus, but she could not make that transition in the US.
Her connection to Hong Kong remained unbroken because that was where she lost her son. Margaret’s story ended on a hopeful note, as she could still return to her family once she had fully come to terms with her loss.
Margaret and Mercy’s Meeting Finally Brings Self-Forgiveness
Margaret, Mercy, and Hilary finally sat down for honest conversations in episode 6, marking the resolution of their struggles. Throughout the series, they had barely been surviving under the weight of guilt and grief, but their discussion in the finale changed that.
The words exchanged between Margaret and Mercy reflected both their pain and their readiness to forgive each other. They recognized that what had happened was a tragedy beyond their control, one they needed to accept if they were to truly move forward.
Hilary’s Future After Expats’ Final Episode
Hilary’s decision to leave behind her family’s way of handling things became more apparent in episode 6. Although she had already confronted her mother about her past in episode 4, she still traveled home to visit her father as he lay on his deathbed.
Witnessing his other family at the hospital and her mother’s indifferent reaction served as a stark reminder of how different the life she had chosen in Hong Kong was from the one her parents had built. When her half-siblings spoke highly of her father, she took the opportunity to tell him exactly what she thought of him.
While this moment may have stirred feelings of guilt, it also allowed her to step into her post-divorce life with a fresh perspective.
Speaking with Her Mother Helps Mercy Confront Her Pain
Mercy’s relationship with her mother had been significantly altered in Expats, and episode 6 marked a turning point when her mother finally visited her in Hong Kong.
Though her words may have seemed harsh at first, her unwavering support for her daughter was evident—even in the face of a pregnancy she had not been aware of. This visit was exactly what Mercy needed after carrying the burden of Gus’s disappearance alone.
She had never confided in anyone, believing she did not deserve support because she had been the one with Gus when he vanished. Her mother’s presence and steadfastness made Mercy realize how much she needed her, both for the challenges ahead and for healing from the past.
Why Mercy and Charly’s Relationship Couldn’t Continue
Mercy’s connection with Charly served as both a comfort and a distraction from the chaos in her life. He provided a sense of stability following her complicated affair with David and the devastating disappearance of Gus.
However, their relationship also allowed her to avoid facing reality. As Charly pointed out in episode 6, Mercy had been using their bond as an escape, immersing herself in his world rather than addressing her struggles. She had even kept the truth about Gus and her pregnancy from him until it was impossible to hide.
For Mercy to confront her guilt and truly move forward, remaining with Charly was not an option.
What Becomes of Hilary and David’s Relationship at the End of Expats?
Hilary’s trip to California deeply impacted her, and when David picked her up from the airport, their interaction was unexpectedly meaningful. Their previous encounters had been filled with arguments, but this time, they were able to have a sincere discussion.
Speaking openly about Mercy’s pregnancy allowed both of them to express their true feelings. David admitted that his greatest fear was that Hilary simply had not wanted children with him, while Hilary acknowledged that she had never wanted them with anyone.
Although their separation remained final, they reached a place where they could communicate without resentment, proving that both had grown beyond the hostility that once defined their relationship.
Why Margaret’s Time Alone in Hong Kong Matters
Margaret had long desired solitude throughout Expats, and her apartment in Kowloon provided exactly that. However, rather than using the space to process Gus’s loss, she spent her time searching for new clues and avoiding the efforts of her family to rebuild their lives.
Moving on is never easy, but sometimes it’s the only way (Photo: Expats/Amazon Studios, Blossom Films, Local Time)By the conclusion of the series, Margaret remained in Hong Kong, and though her progress was not explicitly shown, the fact that she had forgiven Mercy suggested that she was in a better emotional place.
This put her on a path where she could eventually reunite with her family in the US—something she had not been capable of doing when they initially left.
What the Conclusion of Expats Truly Represents
Episode 6 of Expats did more than hint at new beginnings for Margaret, Mercy, and Hilary. It provided them with the opportunity to confront each other directly.
Margaret had been consumed by her anger toward David after Gus’s disappearance, while Mercy had carried the guilt of continuing a relationship with David despite knowing he was married. Both had unspoken apologies to offer Hilary.
At the same time, Margaret and Mercy had to have an honest conversation with each other, as they had suffered in silence, each believing they were responsible for what had happened to Gus. Through these confrontations, they were finally able to acknowledge the full reality of their pain.
The connection between Margaret and Mercy was forever tied to tragedy, but it also became strengthened through their shared experience of motherhood. Similarly, Mercy and Hilary would always be linked by David, yet their conversation allowed Mercy to take away an important lesson for her future.
Meanwhile, Margaret and Hilary, who had once viewed each other with mistrust, now met as genuine friends. The final moments of Expats carried a sense of hope, showing that the three women were stepping into a new phase of their lives with far less emotional weight than they had carried at the start of their journey.
