Will Trent Season 4 Stumbled With Its Darker Turn, But Not Everything Missed

Will Trent will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s one of my favorite shows because the cast connects so well together.

That’s part of the reason why I grew weary of the darkness in Will Trent Season 4.

We lost two wonderful characters, and that was after viewers endured watching Will envision James Ulster and dance on the dark side.

I’ve advocated that Will express his emotions more and attend therapy, but I maintain that Will Trent Season 4 traumatized him too much.

It wasn’t just Will, either. During the past season, almost every character struggled with difficult choices, hard cases, and personal arcs.

While these issues brought the characters even closer together, there were other ways to cement those bonds.

Let’s discuss the highs and the lows of Will Trent Season 4, and if some of those risks paid off.

Most Rewarding Storyline: Will’s Evolving Relationship with Caleb

I loved the evolution of Will and Caleb’s relationship.

They’re both law enforcement officers and feel a pull towards getting to know each other, but they approach life differently.

Caleb does things by the book, while Will analyzes situations and people.

Will has butted heads with his birthfather several times because his quick interference may have cost them a case.

However, Caleb valued justice and protecting Will’s life above all else. Will was so depressed that he didn’t always understand that.

He was also angry that Caleb left him in those horrible foster homes, and he never got to experience a loving home. Sometimes, “what might have been” hurts and is harder to forgive than we think.

It was so cute watching Caleb cheer and coach Will from the sidelines on Will Trent Season 4 Episode 18. He was so proud that Will had hit the ball.

That was a pivotal moment for them because Will was jealous that Caleb coached Calvin’s softball team but never taught him how to play baseball.

They finally shared a rewarding father-son moment, and hopefully, Caleb will be there for Will moving forward. He needs a parent in his life.

Most Irritating Storyline: Will’s Visions of James Ulster

I acknowledge that Ramon Rodriguez and Greg Germann play off each other beautifully.

It’s a thread from Will’s past that needed to be addressed so he could move on with Caleb.

However, after James Ulster died on Will Trent Season 4 Episode 2, I’d hoped we were through with him, but Will kept seeing visions of him.

It seemed like Will was terrified of becoming like Ulster, and that part of his alter ego taunted him with that devilish choice.

Even once the show eliminated him, his daughter, who was even more sinister than Ulster, became a focus.

Hopefully, now that Will has let things go, he won’t have as many visions, or maybe they’ll be of Amanda instead. I can get behind that.

Best Returning Character: Paul Campano

Paul Campano felt like a breath of fresh air when he returned in Will Trent Season 4 Episode 7. Paul could be like an annoying brother with his antics, but he stood by Will when it counted.

He seemed like a changed man and genuinely wanted to help Will solve Joelle’s murder, even if his big mouth made things worse.

I was relieved that Paul was around to center Will since Will kept envisioning the crime scene, and Paul brought him back from that ledge.

It’s hard to picture Paul as the angel on Will’s shoulder, but he was. He knew Will’s darkest secrets and why he was drawn towards the darkness.

But he also knew what kind of person Will had become. They share such a unique bond, and we need more of it.

Hopefully, the writers arrange another comeback for Paul during Will Trent Season 5. Can you imagine his reaction when he sees Will helping raise Angie’s baby?

I’m so here for it.

Most Improved Character: Michael Ormewood

I still marvel at how much fans hated Ormewood on Will Trent Season 1, and now he’s the most improved character of the series.

Watching him recover from a brain tumor and show how he was more than the muscle made Ormewood even more layered. He’s always been close to Franklin and Angie, but we never dreamed he’d have such affection for Betty or Nico.

It was amusing that his first case back involved solving a case related to Betty, and it introduced a softer side to him.

Ormewood showed his caring nature so many times this year, but he truly impressed us when he worked on a 15-year-old cold case on Will Trent Season 4 Episode 9.

He used to care more about solving the case than getting to know the suspects or witnesses, but George Long’s case got to him with only hours left until his execution.

Ormewood lost it because he didn’t want an innocent man executed for his mistake, and we’ve never witnessed him break down like that before.

Most Confusing Choice: Giving Characters New Romances Never to Be Seen Again

I’m all for romance on a procedural. But almost every character had a quick fling, and we don’t know the status of those relationships.

Both Faith and Amanda were heartbroken when they trusted the wrong person too quickly, leading them to doubt themselves and their choices.

I wanted them to find real happiness and not be used, so I hurt for them.

Will and Ava were a fun distraction, but I’m sure they had real substance. She taught him that he could have fun again, which he needed. With how the season ended, I doubt we’ll see her again.

Ormewood and Joanne were also fun because she challenged him to get out of his comfort zone and take chances.

However, we haven’t seen her either since Will Trent Season 4 Episode 13, so was she merely a placeholder or something else?

Ormewood tried to confess something to Faith several times. We’re still unsure if that was his feelings or if he was dating Joanne.

By now, those two should admit they’re attracted to each other, or what’s the point of his jealousy and their sizzling chemistry? Hopefully, we get something substantial next season.

Most Underused Character: Amanda Wagner

It’s likely a tie between Franklin and Amanda, but it really seemed like Amanda had a diminished presence in Will Trent Season 4.

She rarely showed up at cases, and looked so weak that Bill Appeyard couldn’t wait to pounce on her job.

We got very few meaningful GBI family scenes when James Ulster escaped or when Will was kidnapped, except for Amanda’s fear for Will’s life in more ways than one. It was the perfect time to explore their relationship more and her emotional health, but it stayed too surface-level.

Amanda weighed in when Faith became too involved with Malcolm and then realized he was a prime suspect. We loved seeing her walk the line between a loving aunt and a firm boss. That’s where Amanda shone.

I hated that it seemed like Will Trent only focused on Amanda for emotional arcs. While Sonja Sohn slayed, struggling with PTSD after being held at gunpoint again, I wished we could have witnessed more of her recovery.

Ormewood and Amanda seemed like unlikely friends, but he understood PTSD better than anyone, and I’m grateful the series addressed that.

Riskiest Move: Including So Much Death and Darkness

Will Trent Season 4 had already danced with darkness, but the last few episodes stepped over the line by killing off two characters.

Killing Amanda Wagner hurt. She’s been like Will’s mom. While their relationship may not have been the warmest, she would have done anything for him.

Losing her meant Will would experience even more guilt and despair because he didn’t save her.

But everyone loved Amanda. She touched lives in the APD and the GBI, and her loss was felt both on-screen and throughout the fandom. While the series will carry on, there will be a spark missing without her.

I mentioned this in my Will Trent Season 4 finale review, but I knew Seth was a goner as soon as he and Angie expressed their love in the car.

It mirrored the car accident from Alias too closely. It also seemed like the writers wanted both Will and Angie to suffer and to bring them back into each other’s orbits.

I adore Will and Angie, but they’ll be family no matter what. The series didn’t need to kill Seth for Will to be part of their lives.

Most Enduring Relationship: Will and Angie

Whether you love them or hate them, Will and Angie have the most enduring relationship on the series.

I love them. They’ve had my heart since Will Trent began. However, even I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy them as best friends or family.

They would do anything for each other, which we saw when Ulster kidnapped Will. It didn’t matter that Angie was pregnant.

She had to find Will because that’s what they did, and he always found her. They were family. It took some time for Seth to get used to that bond, but he did, and eventually understood Will would be part of their lives.

I loved that Angie literally called Will “her family,” stating that’s why she sat by his hospital bed all night and brought him takeout to help him solve a case.

I hate that the series killed off Seth, but I love how Will stepped up to comfort Angie, took her home, and gave her time to grieve.

There was no rush to care for Edie because he and Nico stepped up to the plate. That little girl will learn what it means to have a big extended family.

Best Part of Will Trent Season 4: The Team Dynamics

Will Trent is the epitome of found family. Amanda literally found Will in a trash can and took him home. He was part of her heart ever since, and that’s why it crushed so many of us that she’s gone.

She meant so much to the entire team, and that team has evolved from coworkers to a family who would do anything for each other.

Ormewood and Franklin are like brothers to Angie. They’ve teased her mercilessly about her pregnancy, but they’ve had her back when it counted. Ormewood even knew her pregnancy cravings.

Franklin has been there for her through everything, from her mother’s death to her marriage to Seth.

That’s family. While these dynamics may shift, we hope the team will still be close in Season 5.

All five of them seemed like the new Avengers, united in one goal — to bring down this trafficking ring.

I’m excited to see more of Faith and Angie teaming up, and Ormewood and Will are always hilarious. I wonder which team Franklin will be helping.

Things will be different next year, and I’m still not positive the changes were worth it, but I’m in for the long haul.

It wasn’t as great as other seasons, but Will Trent is a special show to me, even when it tests my patience.

Over to you, Will Trent Fanatics. What were your thoughts on Will Trent Season 4? Was it too dark for you? Will you watch again in Season 5?

Comment below.

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