Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Will Trent Season 3, Episode 17
There are many network shows that attempt to include compelling twists to keep their audience tuning in. For example, CBS' new hit drama,Matlock, included several doozies in its first season. The series had viewers shocked witha twist in its very first episodeand anotherjawdropping cliffhanger in Episode 16(that changed the show’s trajectory going forward). But the most recent episode of ABC’sWill Trenthas knockedMatlockout of the running for the show Most Likely to Pull Off the Best Twists.Season 3, Episode 17,featured not one, but two bonkers twists that now have fans salivating for more episodes.
‘Will Trent’ Has Always Provided Viewers With Shocking Twists
Since its premiere in 2023,Will Trenthas proved its staying power withan unforgettable protagonistand a team of cops who are dedicated to solving Georgia’s most fascinating crimes.Based on a book seriesbyKarin Slaughter, the show tends to put its characters through the wringer, but each episode shines with heartwarming storylines where good triumphs over evil. Even when tragedy strikes, the characters are able to lean on each other to come out on the other side. Many of its episodes offer surprising plot points; there are always lots of red herrings and twists before Will (Ramón Rodríguez) and the gang can actually solve a case (but they do always catch the bad guys).
“Everyone’s In Danger”: ‘Will Trent’ Director Teases a Huge Season 3 Finale
Each season has built upon these twists to create opportunities for character development and plenty of chances for the viewer to be caught off guard. Season 2 had one of the best twists, when Will’s longtime friend (and sometimes girlfriend), Angie Polaski (Erika Christensen), finds herselfpursuing a serial killeron the loose. The murderer turns out to be none other than Angie’s young friend, Crystal (Chapel Elizabeth Oaks). A young girl being a serial killer is shocking enough. But then, while Angie is chasing after Crystal, Crystal ends up slipping. She strikes her head against another rock, and instantly dies. These twists all built up, leading to an incredibly powerful (and satisfying) season finale. As impressive asthe end of Season 2 was, the show’s latest episode in Season 3 might even have these twists beat.
The First Big Twist Revolves Around ‘Will Trent’s Angie
Angie has been having a really rough go of it this season. Because of her connection to Crystal (which is kind of a long story), she’s put on leave with the police force. By the middle of the season, she has finally been reinstated, and isdating a cute doctornamed Seth McDale (Scott Foley). But then Angie gets thrown another curveball. Her mother dies in Episode 15, and because of the extremely toxic relationship they shared, Angie ends up falling right back into her addiction. She gets beat up after drunkenly intervening in a bar fight, and while she’s in the hospital, Seth tells her that she’s actually pregnant!This twist is a wild plot development for Angie’s character,and one that nobody saw coming (including Angie herself).
There are so many places the show can take this storyline. First, Angie hasn’t even decided whether she’s going to continue with the pregnancy as of yet. Seth has already confirmed that he’ll support her no matter what she chooses, but because of Angie’s past trauma and her extremely complicated relationship with her mother,becoming a parentis not something she’s sure she can handle. If Angie does keep the baby, how is she going to tell Will? He always imagined having a future (and a family) with Angie, so his reaction is bound to be really complex. Can he actually be a supportive friend to Angie?
The season finale (which airs on May 13)has also set up a dangerous disaster in the hospital where Seth works. Is it possible that Angie’s baby daddymight not even survive the season? Then, Angie would have an even more serious decision to make; could she raise a child without the father being present? Angie has such a fractured relationship with her sobriety and with having a healthy emotional state in general,and this pregnancy could present her with even more challenges.
‘Will Trent’ Reveals Who Will’s Father Is in Its Latest Episode
Before viewers can even catch their breath about Angie’s pregnancy, another wild twist occurs. Will is working with Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) on a case when they’re introduced to a grumpylocal sheriff named Caleb Broussard (Yul Vazquez). Will and the sheriff automatically find themselves at odds with each other. They’re both injured on the scene, but when bloodwork comes back from the event,it’s revealed that Caleb is actually Will’s birth father!Will grew up in foster care without knowing his biological parents at all. He has learned a little bit about his mother in the past two seasons, but this is the first he’s heard about the identity of his father.
Will and Caleb have some brief interactions after they both learn the news, but there is so much to explore between them going forward. Will the closed-off Will decide to forma closer bond with his father, or will he decide that it’s too painful to connect with Caleb any further? Will must break down some of his walls so he can get to know his father, but perhaps his traumatic past will prevent him from doing so. Not only does this twist provide the viewer with some additional background about Will’s life,but it also sets up a compelling storyline for Season 4.
By offeringone twist at the beginning of the episode, the show makes it imperative to stick through the whole hour (no end-of-episode cliffhangers necessary), butby stocking the episode with multiple twists, audience members are on the edge of their seats awaiting the season finale.Will Trenthas always been adept at inserting fascinating twists, but this episode’s bounty of surprises illustrates why the series is currently thebest network show at shocking its audience. The show has already beenrenewed for a Season 4(which will premiere in the fall), so there’s no telling where the story will evolve from here. One thing we do know is that it will continue to be a wild ride going forward.
New episodes ofWill Trentair on Tuesday nights on ABC, with episodes available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
Will Trent
Special Agent Will Trent was abandoned at birth and endured a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. Determined to make sure no one feels as he did, he now has the highest clearance rate.
