Not like typical crime reveals, Will Trent’s flaws make him extra compelling than his abilities.
The ABC collection is tailored from Karin Slaughter’s guide collection, and it has grow to be a fan favourite as a result of Will Trent differs from typical procedurals.
A lot of Will’s character is predicated on his quirks and trauma, which support him in fixing crimes.

He’s the primary agent with dyslexia, which supplies him a singular perspective to select up on nuances and environment to assemble proof and resolve crimes.
Will didn’t usually relate properly to others. Constructing belief together with his companion, Religion Mitchell, took a very long time as a result of he had been damage badly. Seeing issues in Black and white and his excessive ethical code price him his relationship with Angie Polaski.
Let’s dive in and talk about why Will has grow to be one in all primetime tv’s extra relatable lead detectives.
Will’s Quirks and Previous Trauma Are Belongings, Not Liabilities
There was a lot to Will’s backstory that the writers may use to create a multi-dimensional character.
The Will Trent guide collection at present consists of 12 novels of wealthy materials, and the ABC collection usually pulls inspiration from these and balances it with humor and drama for tv viewing.
Because the collection started, Will’s dyslexia has helped him resolve circumstances. He noticed patterns in another way in his first case when Emma Campano was kidnapped on Will Trent Season 1 Episode 1.
He was the one one who acknowledged that the suspect had dyslexia by the threatening word and had additionally been a sufferer..
It was the primary time of many who we noticed Will use his experiences to try to de-escalate an emotional state of affairs.
Will even noticed visions or ghosts of useless victims just a few instances. Whereas some folks would have thought he was loopy, speaking to the victims allowed him to see their interior circle in methods different detectives didn’t have entry to.
Will skilled a lot trauma in foster care, which prompted him to struggle to maintain youngsters out of the system. We noticed this particularly when he rescued a younger baby.
Assembly his organic father, James Ulster, scarred Will. He prompted him a lot ache previously and the current, and loved taunting him. Will longed for some connection to his mom and needed a household.
He didn’t notice he had already discovered his “folks.” Assembly Uncle Antonio eased some ache, too, they usually had been so alike of their mannerisms.
Whereas we just lately realized that Will began carrying his notorious three-piece swimsuit impressed by a deal from Rafael Wexford, I initially thought Will was just like his uncle.
So many experiences have formed him.
Why Audiences Root For Will Extra Than Admire Him
Since Will Trent Season 1 started, he has been an underdog. Initially, he had horrible communication abilities, partly due to his dyslexia and partly as a result of he distrusted folks.
He was a simple goal for the opposite detectives; not even his companion, Religion Mitchell, needed to work with him. It wasn’t till he revealed one thing private and let her in that she softened.
His relationship with Religion was top-of-the-line elements of the collection, and we rooted for them to grow to be higher pals and beat the unhealthy guys.
Whereas fixing the circumstances was important to the collection, viewers additionally rooted for Will’s happiness.
Due to these abusive foster houses, he by no means knew what household meant, aside from Amanda and Angie, who had recognized him for years.
Household isn’t at all times about blood. It’s in regards to the individuals who will present up for you it doesn’t matter what. Amanda gave Will a discovered household with the GBI and an prolonged household with the APD when she employed him.
Whereas Angie and May have had a trauma-bonded relationship, they’ve lastly moved to a more healthy relationship the place they know one another and emotionally assist one another when scared.
Will has been via loads, and we’re rooting for him to course of this tragedy solely as an alternative of brushing it underneath the rug.
We’d be even happier if that features a cameo from Uncle Antonio, who helped him course of his final meltdown.
Will Trent Excels At Balancing Weekly Instances With Private Arcs
Will Trent has excelled at balancing weekly circumstances and character-rich arcs. They’ve executed the most effective job with Will’s character as they’ve delved into his traumatic previous in foster care and ageing out of the system.
Will didn’t belief many individuals and sometimes labored tougher to guard tousled younger adults that had been screwed over by that system.
Whereas Will Trent Season 1 highlighted some darkish and violent circumstances, Will Trent Season 2 took it additional as a result of Will had blocked out his foster mom’s homicide till he was held hostage at a marriage.
It triggered some violent recollections, making him really feel accountable regardless that he was solely a toddler. It’s frequent for abuse victims to dam out occasions and blame themselves for a traumatic loss of life.
Will tends to weigh himself with guilt, which we just lately noticed after he by chance shot a younger baby.
The collection lastly allowed Will to discover his grief since he hadn’t handled different trauma.
It made excellent sense when he infiltrated a cult since he associated to these damaged members and was the perfect individual to assemble info.
He was nearly associated to them too properly as a result of he couldn’t forgive himself. We’ve all lived with horrible remorse, and we perceive how he felt desirous to work so he didn’t must concentrate on his guilt.
Viewers relate to Will Trent as a result of he’s extra human than different lead detectives.
Whereas few lead characters have neurodivergence on primetime TV, it’s changing into extra prevalent with The Good Physician or Good Minds.
It’s thrilling to see how these lead characters cope in another way of their on a regular basis lives and use their quirks to assist folks.
That’s why audiences relate to Will Trent a lot. ABC has melded his arcs about trauma and belief points into many circumstances, making him a multi-faceted character.
Whereas generally we’ve complained about how a lot Will has suffered, these experiences have helped him join with different folks.
Whereas the collection has delved into Will’s backstory essentially the most, Will Trent has featured wealthy character arcs for many different characters, together with flashbacks.
Over to you, Will Trent Fanatics. Do you suppose others relate to Will as a damaged hero? What do you wish to see subsequent for him?
Agree? Disagree? Have a principle?
Tell us within the feedback, or share this text with somebody who desires to debate it with you. That’s what makes it enjoyable.
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