Will Trent is a crime drama television series that captivated audiences with its creative storytelling style. Unlike other detective dramas such as Dept Q or Law & Order, it focused not only on solving murders but also on the characters' inner lives and emotions. The main character of the show is Will Trent, a bright investigator who handles challenging cases while juggling his own personal issues.
Each episode alternated between intensely emotional episodes and thrilling investigations, showing how Will and his coworkers overcame danger, deceit, and heartache by working together. From gripping courtroom rescues to heartbreaking personal losses, the show featured courage, loyalty, and human relationships. These are the reasons why Will Trent stood out in the genre of detective dramas.
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Here is the list of the 9 best Will Trent episodes that make the show stand out from other detective dramas:
9. Season 1 Episode 8

The Two-Hundred-Dollar and a Bus Pass episode of Will Trent received a 7.9/10 rating on IMDb. In Season 1 Episode 8, viewers witnessed detectives Ormewood and Polaski working on the odd murder of Steve Susperio, a magician who entertained in a nursing home. It appears that his case involves a botched magic trick because he was slain with one of his own stage daggers. The investigators discover that Steve wasn't there to provide entertainment as they continue their investigation. He had no choice but to steal the residents' money by collaborating with Nancy Hernandez, the administrator of the nursing facility.
In contrast to other detective TV shows, this episode is unusual in that it contains surprising turns, dark comedy, and emotional appeal. The episode not only solves crimes but also reveals the human weaknesses underlying them. This gives the story a more realistic and sad feel, particularly when it involves defenseless people as the victims.
8. Season 1 Episode 9

In this Will Trent episode rated 8 on IMDb, audiences saw that a convicted Sam Laporte escapes during sentencing and takes Faith Mitchell hostage in the courtroom. Will comes to the rescue. Faith sends Will a message via Betty's social media. Will and Ormewood investigate and discover that a dirty officer framed Faith and the offender. They dig under the bamboo bushes and find evidence that the cop was corrupt.
In this episode, Faith and the offender escape in a car but survive. They have a moment. Will continues searching. Faith remains calm in danger and applies clever thinking. Will never give up. That is how Will Trent prefers courage and intelligent teamwork over action alone.
7. Season 3 Episode 11

In Will Trent Season 3 Episode 11, Will makes an error in a high-pressure pursuit and accidentally shoots a 14-year-old boy. He and Faith rush the boy to the hospital, but he dies in Will's arms. Will is suspended as an internal investigation begins. The case is futile until Angie wins the confidence of a reluctant witness who provides video proof that supports what Will has said. The charges are dropped, but Will still feels burdened by shame. He passes out in Angie's arms while Marion's missed calls go unanswered.
This episode illustrates how Will Trent handles actual trauma with gravity and sensitivity. IMDb has rated this episode at 8.6/10. That raw emotion makes the series stand apart from other detective series. It shows how Will Trent is not about cases but about individuals and how they hold each other in anguish.
6. Season 2 Episode 1

In the pilot of Season 2 of Will Trent, Will enjoys his Spanish class and tries to reconnect with the language of his departed mother. He is summoned to a car bomb explosion that killed someone. He is assisted by a bomb tech named Cricket. They join forces and begin looking out for one another. Will attempts to rescue a man who was the bomber's target.
Angie attempts to return to work after recovering from an injury. Cricket discovers another bomb and assists Faith. But she is killed while saving others. Cricket's death was heartbreaking and unexpected. Will Trent is taken aback, showing the depth of his sorrow. That emotional baggage is what distinguishes the series.
5. Season 2 Episode 10

In Season 2 Episode 10 of Will Trent, we saw that Will, Faith, and Angie investigate murders of sex offenders. The victims share a strange symbol. Angie finds out that Crystal is the killer. Crystal slips and falls into the river. Angie is devastated. Then Will imagines a life with Angie. They marry, have children, and life goes on. Then reality hits.
Will arrest Angie for covering up a crime. He holds her in front of everyone. He walks away. Will chooses justice over love. That heartbreaking choice and the imagined life show Will Trent is not safe or easy. This episode from Will Trent brought real stakes and emotion.
4. Season 3 Episode 8

This episode stars Will Trent and Marion tracking down a child trafficking ring and exposing a tangled web of exploitation. Ormewood, on the other hand, is tasked with guarding celebrity Ariana Madix on a run-of-the-mill intervention. The episode delves into the team's dynamics and relationships, as Angie meets Dr. Seth McDale, who may become her new love interest.
The combination of gritty crime investigation and character development gives the series depth. IMDb has rated this episode at 8.2/10. The team's success at juggling personal life and work responsibilities highlights the multidimensional nature of Will Trent, which differentiates it from other detective series.
3. Season 3 Episode 14

In Will Trent's Season 3 Episode 14, his old acquaintance, Rafael Wexford, turns to him to help him after his grandmother suddenly passed away. They also share a background, as the flashbacks depict a bond that blossomed during their childhood. Will wants to help Rafael with the funeral arrangements, but he has a hidden goal. Rafael turns on his inner circle and engages in a standoff. Will's detention of Rafael is a preventative measure against an imminent threat rather than a form of punishment.
The episode embodies the themes of loyalty, redemption, and the consequences of previous choices. The emotional standoff between Will and Rafael exemplifies the character-driven writing that distinguishes Will Trent from other procedural stories.
2. Season 3 Episode 18

Will Trent, Season 3, Episode 18, portrays the spread of a dangerous hepatotoxin, resulting in panic and lockdown at a hospital. The investigators worked quickly to find the source and stop a second, larger strike. Trent and Caleb start to realize that terrorists used food containers to transfer the poison, and they intend to drop them in the whole city. Angie, despite being pregnant and afraid, climbs in vents, finds a concealed rifle, and assists in stopping the terrorists while Amanda is kidnapped.
The episode concludes as Amanda lies injured, and Trent is devastated beyond belief as he holds Angie in front of a sonogram machine and listens to the heartbeat of her unborn baby. This moment is the best example of when intense action is intertwined with the emotional aspect and the growth of a person. Will Trent feels more powerful and honest than other detective stories because it combines genuine emotion with exciting drama.
1. Season 1 Episode 13

The audience discovered the truth about a terrible secret in Will Trent's Season 1, Episode 18. A deadly psychopath named James has kidnapped Angie. He joins Killed Trent's mother, Lucy. Trent goes to James's residence by himself, taking a significant risk to save Angie. Angie attempts to run away, but she faints. James makes Trent watch as she is tortured. In a heated combat, Trent kills James and has him arrested. However, James consumes poison. Angie goes to the hospital and lives. It is later revealed that Trent's boss, Amanda, had previously considered adopting him after seeing him as a newborn.
This episode is exceptional and ranks first on the list because it resolves a case involving more than just a crime. It entails confronting serious emotional harm, repairing strained familial connections, and choosing kindness over retaliation. The episode combines suspense and heart, making the plot more intimate and dramatic than a typical detective series.
The Will Trent series left a lasting impression on audiences by merging suspenseful crimes with real human emotions. Will experienced difficulties that challenged his moral compass, bravery, and intelligence. His interactions with Faith, Angie, and others enriched the stories by showing how their collaborative efforts and mutual trust enabled them to overcome adversity.
The characters in the episodes were distinct and well-rounded because they faced difficult choices, tragic pasts, and personal hurdles. Through a mix of suspense, action, and emotional scenes, Will Trent provided a compelling and distinctive experience that set it apart from other detective series and made audiences anticipate each new episode.