Will Trent Season 1 Episode 13 Review: It Was The 80s
Will Trent decides to end its season with one of its best episodes. Wil Trent Season 1 Episode 13, “It Was The 80s,” thrills with action and mystery. Additionally, Ramon Rodriguez gives his best performance yet. This episode really highlights why he leads this series.
He has an on-screen charm but also the talent to support it.
Rodriguez makes you feel every one of Will’s emotions as he must process so many things over the course of 60 minutes. Will deals with everything from fear to anxiety to longing to hope to grief.
Will’s heartbreak becomes your heartbreak.
Rodriguez deserves all the credit for how he carries “It Was the 80s” and makes you as invested in Will’s wellbeing as it makes you eager to see the resolution of the case. You want them to find Angie before it’s too late but you also want Will to finally have some peace in his life.
Technically, James is in a coma, but his character seems gone from the Will Trent universe. Personally, I prefer shows that have recurring villains. The foil to the main character.
He or she may appear from time to time to cause stress and anxiety.
Basically, I want a Hannibal for Will. Maybe, one day, the show will create that character, but it’s definitely not James.
Despite guessing the serial killer on Will Trent Season 1 Episode 12, “Nothing Changed Except Everything,” the reveal is still exciting. “It Was The 80s” creates this thrilling atmosphere from start to finish. It’s the first Will Trent episode that feels like a proper thriller TV series.
However, it reminds us that the show also likes to have a little fun with a random dance sequence.
It’s little fun nonsensical elements like this that make me enjoy this show so much.
Nevertheless, “It Was The 80s” offers a new experience with the show. It’s enthralling by increasing the tension and keeping us guessing. It also picks the classic route of presenting the question: how far will this killer push our protagonist over the edge?
By taking on the more thriller police procedural, Will Trent shows its versatility. It can do thriller if it wants to, but it can also do comedy, light drama, and romance. It’s a show of all trades.
This makes it even more exciting because it can so easily jump into varying genres with ease. This will keep it from becoming stale by the time it reaches season 5.
Another very strong element of “It Was the 80s” is how it subtly showcases everyone’s relationship and its evolution. For example, Faith treats Will with compassion and understanding in a way the rest of the officers don’t. We witness this when she tells them to give him time and asks whether he has eaten yet.
Comparing now to where they start in the Will Trent Season 1 Episode 1 “Pilot,” they have become a real partnership. We also see the changing dynamics from the start of the season to the conclusion of it with the change in Paul and Will’s relationship.
It’s now a real friendship. It’s a dysfunctional one but they care about each other now too. Additionally, Paul clearly develops a fondness for Betty. The same goes for Angie.
They both try to stay away from her at the beginning but now adore that dog.
We also get a big shocker in learning all the connections between Amanda and Will. It opens up a new chapter for them to embrace their familial connection. I look forward to seeing more of the evolution of their mother and son dynamic.
“It Was the 80s” really showcases the evolution of the season. It’s become more confident, self-aware, and a fun ride that hopefully gets better with age.
Stray Thoughts
- The show opens the door to meeting more of Will’s family. James not being Will’s father also opens the door for that paternal reveal later. Digging deeper into Will’s biological family will be fascinating if the show decides to explore it.
- Angie’s upcoming storyline seems like it will involve recovery from the incident and life not on the force for a little while.
- They just need to make Paul a series regular. He offers so much great comedy and I love his friendship with Will, Betty, and Angie now.
- Additionally, I think they also need to introduce more recurring characters from the foster home. Paul and Percy (yes even with his single appearance) have been some of the surprisingly fun and interesting additions.
What did you think of this episode of Will Trent? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Jerrica Tisdale
Jerrica Tisdale is your favorite neighborhood pop culture junkie. She will annoy you with random TV and film facts, while complaining about whatever is the hottest new book. She has been a TV fan all her life but writing about it for over a decade. You may find her work all over the internet especially reality TV rants. She is a senior writer at Tell-Tale TV.