There are many network shows that try to include compelling twists to keep their audience tuned in. For example, CBS’ new hit drama, Matlock, included several doozies in its first season. The series had viewers shocked with a twist in its very first episode and another jawdropping cliffhanger in Episode 16 (that changed the show’s trajectory going forward). But the most recent episode of ABC’s Will Trent has knocked Matlock out 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 Trent has proven its staying power with an unforgettable protagonist and a team of cops who are dedicated to solving Georgia’s most fascinating crimes. Based on a book series by Karin Slaughter, the show tends to put its characters through the writing, 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).
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 herself pursuing a serial killer on 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 as the 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 is dating a cute doctor named 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 could 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 parent is 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 daddy might 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 grumpy local 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 pussy
