Will Trent Season 2 Episode 2 Review: It’s the Work I Signed Up For
Will Trent Season 2 Episode 2, “It’s the Work I Signed Up For,” takes the main characters in a few different directions. This departure from their comfort zone becomes an exciting house of mayhem and mystery. Additionally, these changes presumably hint towards the main-archs of Season 2.
This ABC hit series always blends personal scars and growth with the weekly cases. However, it seems like this season may focus even more on the personal development of each character.
In Will Trent Season 2 Episode 1, “Me Llamo Will Trent,” Faith begins to explore her romantic life. In that episode and this one, Mike’s family dynamic becomes more central. Angie begins to move forward, and now she’s becoming a safe haven for lost children.
She becomes a guide to them like no adult was to her (at least that we know of so far). And Will plans to explore his birth family. Each of these threads creates some personal growth that these characters need, and we, as an audience, want to see.
However, Will’s storyline may have the greatest impact.
James Ulster and Will have an extraordinary dynamic. It’s horrifying but we want more of it. Greg Germann doesn’t play Ulster as this one-note villain.
This is the secret to his appeal.
He’s scary at times, hilarious in other moments, and just chilling in the right ways. Also, dare I say kind of likable? In that murderous monster sort of way, of course.
Germann plays the character like a man who wants his maybe son to like him, but also like someone clearly trying to manipulate him. He reeks of ulterior motives from start to finish.
Will knows this and we know this, but he pulls you into his trap.
The talented actor makes Ulster a serial killer all-star. He’s truly slimy, shady, and crazy but also you can see how he got away with his crimes for so long. Ramon Rodriguez and Germann delight when on-screen together.
Will shows not one ounce of sympathy (and even enjoys him getting beat up), but you can see him falling slightly into his traps. This is a careful dance that Germann and Rodriguez play well.
They must convey so much in between the words.
Will ends “It’s the Work I Signed Up For” declaring he would no longer give Ulster his time. I don’t believe him.
Germann does such a good job with this character that I cannot imagine him not appearing at least a couple more times. Also, it’s exciting to know that the Will Trent family vault will open soon. We need to know more about his family.
Speaking of family drama. Mike’s family life surprisingly leads to compelling TV. His wanting to be a better husband and father makes him seem redeemed. However, his arch begs the question: Just because you have redeemed yourself, do you deserve redemption?
That seemingly will be where Mike’s life goes in Season 2. He wants his wife and kids, but does he deserve them? The writers smartly didn’t try to vilify his wife. Instead, they justify her actions and make Mike realize he’s the one that causes their issues.
It’s less about the affair and more about Mike’s decisions that caused it. Obviously, his wife isn’t innocent, because she could have left him instead of cheating.
However, her actions seem less malicious and more reactionary.
Mike and his wife will have to figure out their relationship this season. The end of “It’s the Work I Signed Up For” makes you invest in their journey.
Angie’s true calling seems to be social work. Her interactions with two troubled youths prove this, and, hopefully, she will explore more of that in Season 2.
It’s where she thrives.
Seeing her help these young people can heal her demons. It could also allow her to make smarter choices.
The personal struggles and triumphs of this GBI team are the best part of “It’s the Work I Signed Up For.” The crime of the week still lacks some oomph. Things continue to escalate in an almost cartoonish fashion.
When the Warden passes out, you can’t help but wonder what’s all this chaos for. It doesn’t lead to anything that relevant or fascinating. However, it is enjoyable when Ulster reminds us he’s a ruthless serial killer by just killing the main villain of the week.
Other than that, it seems like a case with its only purpose being to bring Ulster and Will together. For that, we appreciate it. Everything else seems unnecessary.
This is especially true when it all just keeps escalating. It was unpredictable but not the most interesting crime story, which is surprising considering it has all the great crime drama elements.
“It’s the Work I Signed Up For” continues Will Trent’s glorious start to a new season. It’s far from a perfect episode, but how it sets up the season is what makes it worth watching.
What did you think of this episode of Will Trent? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Will Trent airs Tuesdays on ABC at 8/7c.
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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.
One thought on “Will Trent Season 2 Episode 2 Review: It’s the Work I Signed Up For”
Agreed with lots of this. I need more of Will and James, they’re extremely fun to watch, it’s such a captivating dynamic and I think it’s all down to both actors having great chemistry and being really talented.
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