While the premise of Will Trent’s episode of this week’s episode “Searching for a New Pond” is full of serious implications—addressing themes of economic inequality and the mortal sins of wealthy elites—the execution leaves something to be desired. The show’s creators aimed high, but the end result feels clunky. Let me explain.
“Finding a New Pond” – Will Trent, pictured (left): (Disney/Zach Popik) Iantha Richardson as Agents Faith Mitchell, Ramon Rodrigo Si and Agent Will Trent. Photo: Zac Popik/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.
This episode focuses on two crimes that address economic inequality. Agents Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) and Faith Mitchell (Iansha Richardson) try to solve a poisoning incident at a Sovrano family company. Right off the bat, the company presented the siblings as unlikable caricatures. Marcelo (David Shea), Sofia (Amanda Fallon Smith) and Rocco Sofrano (Chris Carvero) were all poisoned, but only Sofia died. Did you find it humorous for your brother to cry excessively after Sophia’s death, or is this just my interpretation? Anyway, Will comments that he really hates working for rich people because they make him feel like the GBI works for them. In this episode, director Amanda Wagner (Sonia Thorne) repeats this sentiment when two pathetic siblings, Francesca (Sonny Mabrey) and Rocco, come to their office to argue .
“Finding a New Pond” – Will Trent, Pictured: Whitney Christopher as Kathy Hamps, Erica Christensen as Angie Polaski, Isabelle Aron Saw as Bobby, Viviana Chavez as Ramon Rodriguez and Alma. Photo: Zac Popik/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.
Angie Polaski (Erica Christensen), a “rent-cop” who works in a gated community, is involved in the second case. While Angie is patrolling, she encounters a dead swan. Someone nearby arrogantly told her to get rid of the birds herself instead of waiting for animal control. She took off her coat and moved the swan. Angie finally discovered that the swan had a cut thumb in its throat. She started to feel like a spy and she knew someone was doing something wrong. With the help of her colleagues from the Atlanta Police Department (APD), she discovered the exploitation of immigrant labor at a poultry processing plant.
Despite the serious subject matter, each character manages to deliver just the right comedic moments, providing (almost) the only entertainment in the episode. My favorite scene is when weird handyman John (Danger) jokes about Angie’s suspicion of being a “chicken show.” However, the comedic timing doesn’t entirely mask the unevenness of the writing. For example, when John is on parole for the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl, he traps Angie in an equipment shed. oops. Also, the scene where the actors sit around a conference table role-playing drove me a little crazy. I couldn’t get enough of it because not enough time was spent distinguishing between Sofia (Amanda Fallon Smith), Jacinta (Jane Lombava) and Olivia (Sabrina Jaffa) Almost non-existent characters.
“Finding a New Pond” – Will Trent, pictured: Christina Raine as Caroline and Kevin Daniels as Franklin. Photo: Zac Popik/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.
The battle between Angie and forced immigrant labor corporate executive Davis (Will A. Holland) left me scratching my head. Davis was taller, heavier, and had a gun—but Ainge got the better of him. The problem is – Ainge suffered a back injury last season. How she didn’t end up back in the spotlight is a mystery to me. Since Angie made the arrest, she has, predictably, returned to detective work with the APD.
“Finding a New Pond” – Will Trent, pictured: Dan Gill as John. Photo: Zac Popik/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.
While the episode’s “eat the rich” vibe was undoubtedly entertaining, the writing needed an overhaul to keep it believable. The show has always shown promise, but without a serious attack on future scripts, it risks losing audience trust and engagement.
Overall, In Search of a New Pond offers a unique blend of humor and social critique. Still, “In Search of a New Pond” needs a more cohesive narrative to reach its full potential. Hopefully the producers can polish the rough edges in future episodes. Am I off base? Please tell me in the comments.
Overall rating:
7/10
Lynette Jones