Hardly ever does an episode of TV come alongside that juggles a number of genres with such finesse and creativity as Will Trent’s, “Mariachi Shelly’s Frankenstein, did. The writers flexed some severe plotting chops by stacking drama, comedy, motion, romance, and horror into 42 minutes in a manner that not solely labored but additionally set a excessive bar the present might have problem reaching and exceeding. Let’s overview.
“Mariachi Shelley’s Frankenstein” – WILL TRENT, Pictured (L-R): Rolando Fernandez as Mariachi and Todd Allen Durkin as Captain Heller. Picture: Wilford Harewood/Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
The episode continues with detective Angie Polaski’s (Erika Christensen) quest to show John Shelley (Dan Gill) harmless of a number of murders. This week’s story is a rollercoaster of feelings, seamlessly transitioning from a laugh-out-loud comedy to a drama. Officers from the Atlanta Police Division (APD) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) mildly insult one another as they put together for a celebration. For instance, GBI Chief Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) and Particular Agent Religion Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) joke about utilizing a GBI knife to chop the cake as a result of APD (their knife) will not be as sharp.
“Mariachi Shelley’s Frankenstein” – WILL TRENT, Pictured: Dan Gill as John Shelley, Erika Christensen as Detective Angie Polaski. Picture: Wilford Harewood/Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
When the storm plunges the precinct into darkness, Captain Heller (Todd Allen Durkin), Michael Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), and Franklin (Kevin Daniels) mix bodily comedy and a sequence of mariachi jokes whereas carrying an historical generator upstairs. Juxtapose this silliness with the heart-wrenching drama of Dr. Pete Chin (Kurt Yue) and Amanda combating to avoid wasting Caroline’s (Christina Wren) life.
The adrenaline-pumping motion scenes the place Particular Agent Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) and Angie Polaski work effortlessly collectively to finger ADA Freddy (Frederico Rodriguez) as the true killer. The Assistant District Legal professional, who was initially rejected by women in highschool, was portrayed as a stereotypical bizarre child who developed a God complicated and psychopathic tendencies. The episode additionally included tender romantic moments between Will and ADA Marion Alba (Gina Rodriguez). Whereas I’ve by no means been a fan of Angie and Will’s romance, I did really feel sorry for her as soon as Freddy was contained, and Will instantly ran to consolation Marion. Angie was shot at. Will actually saved her life, then shut her out of his heat embrace. Ouch. That harm.
“Mariachi Shelley’s Frankenstein” – WILL TRENT, Pictured (L-R): Kevin Daniels as Franklin, Iantha Richardson as Religion Mitchell, Jake McLaughlin as Michael Ormewood. Picture: Wilford Harewood/Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
The episode had a number of spine-chilling horror sequences, just like the blood dripping onto Angie from the ceiling of the elevator. She additionally experiences a soar scare when trying to find the killer at nighttime, and her flashlight lands on the creepy police model. To me, Freddy, navigating the blackout utilizing evening goggles was a nod to Buffalo Invoice in “Silence of the Lambs.”
Fortunately, the one style not featured was sci-fi. Nonetheless, the title, “Mariachi Shelley’s Frankenstein,” references Mary Shelley’s basic, thought of by many to be one of many first science fiction novels. Shelley’s Frankenstein focuses on themes like ambition, creation, and the results of taking part in God. ADA Freddy Markovic boasted to Marion that killing made him really feel like a god. I assume he F’ed round and discovered the results. The author’s means to weave these parts collectively with out shedding the plot was nothing in need of genius. Every style is given its second to shine, and the transitions felt pure moderately than jarring.
“Mariachi Shelley’s Frankenstein” – WILL TRENT, Pictured: Erika Christensen as Angie Polaski, Ramon Rodriguez as Will Trent. Picture: Wilford Harewood/Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
The solid delivers stellar performances, executing every respective style completely. I discovered two dramatic scenes significantly intense and shifting. First, Dr. Pete shares his backstory, explaining why he works with the useless. Tearfully he tells Amanda that he was a surgeon, however he nicked the affected person’s bowel. It was a demise that was 100% preventable. Pete explains that medical doctors have a saying that cautions them towards carrying emotionally difficult, life-and-death burdens on their “personal— “By no means carry a coffin alone.” When combating to avoid wasting Caroline’s life, Pete wasn’t alone. He was supported by Amanda, Religion, Captain Heller and even the Mariachi man, who joked that “Nick Bowel’ seemed like a wrestler’s title. The timing of this comedic second completely complemented the seriousness of the second.
The interplay between Will and Rafael Wexford (Antwayn Hopper) is the second dramatic scene I took notice of. Will will get Rafael to hitch him as he investigates the homicide of witness Mia Elkan (Teisha Speight). I liked that Rafael turns into a bit susceptible, admitting to Will that he’s not a fan of heights, small areas, or the darkish. In that second of discomfort, he admits that he’s taking up the Grove Park gang. Will then reveals to Rafael that he’s watching him examine the crime as a deterrent. Will is intent on displaying and warning Rafael that there’s “little he doesn’t know or received’t determine” out”—successfully placing Rafael on discover about future actions and penalties he’ll face if the gang will get out of line.
“Mariachi Shelley’s Frankenstein” – WILL TRENT, Pictured: Antwayn Hopper as Rafael Wexford. Picture: Wilford Harewood/Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
The director’s imaginative and prescient and talent are evident in each body. The episode’s exact pacing stored the viewers engaged all through its transition between genres. The cinematography, which shot a lot of the episode in restricted mild, was one criticism I had. I hated feeling like I wanted evening goggles to concentrate to the story’s visible particulars. A second criticism issues the identification of the killer. Guessing who it was too apparent. Additionally, why did Freddy try to kill Caroline however let Amanda reside? Is it as a result of they labored collectively? The place did he assume he might disguise in a constructing stuffed with police? Thankfully, the opposite points of the plot and dynamic execution of the story stored it enjoyable and entertaining. The episode’s means to evoke a variety of feelings in a short while makes it a must-watch occasion.
So, what did you consider this jumble of genres? What do you assume is in Angie and Will’s future since they sort of joked about her ‘releasing’ him thus far Marion? Let me know within the feedback.
General Ranking:
10:10
Lynette Jones