ABC’s Will Trent, adapted from the bestselling novels by Karin Slaughter, has become one of the most beloved detective series today. With its suspenseful cases, deep characters, and unexpected twists, Will Trent has captivated audiences over the past three seasons. If you haven’t had time to binge the entire series, or want to know the most outstanding episodes to start with, here’s a list of the best Will Trent episodes you shouldn’t miss — these episodes have all left a strong impression on viewers and received praise from both fans and critics.
Season 1, Episode 1 – Pilot
The Addictive Opening
You can’t miss the Pilot opening — where viewers first meet Special Agent Will Trent (Ramón Rodríguez). Not only does the episode introduce Will’s unique investigative style (with his photographic memory and excellent crime scene analysis skills), it also reveals his traumatic past as a foster child.
The first episode’s case — a seemingly simple murder with a shocking secret — sets the tone perfectly: dramatic, intelligent, and emotional.
Season 1, Episode 8 – Two Hundred Dollars and a Bus Pass
Will and Faith’s complicated pasts revealed
This is one of the most character-rich episodes of Season 1. While investigating the mysterious death of a homeless man, Will and Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) are confronted with ghosts from their past.
The episode cleverly weaves between the current case and the never-before-revealed personal stories of the main characters, giving the audience a better understanding of Will’s loneliness and his efforts to overcome his fate.
Season 2, Episode 7 – Have You Seen Me?
A breathtaking missing person case
One of the most intense episodes of Season 2, when Will and the GBI team investigate the disappearance of a young girl, and the more they investigate, the more they discover a dangerous criminal network behind it.
The episode is highly appreciated for its suspenseful pacing and delicate handling of emotions, making viewers hold their breath with each step of the investigation. Also in this episode, the relationship between Will and Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) is developed more deeply.
Season 3, Episode 8 – Maybe I’m Amazed
Ariana Madix’s memorable cameo & a strange story
This is a light-hearted, entertaining episode but is very popular thanks to the appearance of Ariana Madix as an “upgraded” version of herself.
Will isn’t the central character in this episode, instead Michael Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin) is assigned to be Ariana’s bodyguard — and things get… out of hand.
The episode gives viewers a breather after a series of heavy cases, and shows that Ormewood is a character with more depth than viewers thought.
Season 3, Episode 14 – Listening to a Heartbeat
An emotional, climactic episode
The penultimate episode of Season 3 is considered one of the best episodes of the series, with many plot twists and strong emotional developments.
Amanda Wagner is shot in a terrorist attack, sending the entire GBI team into a breathless race to find the killer.
Michael Ormewood discovers that he may have a terminal illness. Will is faced with a huge secret about his biological father, pushing his character’s psychology to the limit. The series combines breathtaking action with deep, emotional drama, leaving viewers glued to their seats.
Final Thoughts
Will Trent is a detective series that goes beyond the usual stereotype, skillfully balancing compelling cases with emotional character stories. If you haven’t had time to watch the entire series, start with the best episodes above — guaranteed to get you hooked on Will Trent’s world from the very first minute.
