Will Trent – One Sided Up

Will Trent Season 3 immediately grabbed me, with last week’s promising storyline involving Trent (Ramon Rodriguez), Faith (Iansha Richardson) and Michael (Jake Mack) Laughlin) searches for Raphael Wexford’s (Antwayne Hopper) kidnapped daughter, Sonny (Kyrie McAlpine). However, as this week’s episode progressed, the plot became disappointing. While the episode maintains an entertaining feel, one can guess the culprit long before the big reveal. Now, I wonder if this is due to laziness in storytelling or my familiarity with police procedurals. I would recommend doing both, and here’s why.

The GBI learned that Wexford gang rival Lincoln Spelling kidnapped his daughter and killed her caregiver, Penelope. After a while we discovered that Spelling was dead. A true crime mastermind is cleaning out the house and finding Sonny’s kidnapper and Spelling’s killer is becoming a race against time. Things get real and the GBI team deduces that such a blatant crime could only be carried out by someone who isn’t afraid of getting caught, like a police officer.

“Sunny Side Up” – Will Trent, pictured (left): Gina Rodriguez as Ida Marion Alba and Olivia Dawson as Mayor Barbara Anthony. Photo: Wilford Harewood/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.

But remember, Wexford had already pleaded guilty to the murder of a police officer who was working with ADA Alba (Gina Rodriquez) on a car theft case. No one involved in the investigation believed Wexford was guilty, and ADA Alba held a press conference to announce that the investigation was ongoing. Alba is caught off guard and is promptly punished by Mayor Anthony (Olivia Denis Dawson), followed by the over-zealous Captain Cromwell (Matthew Sean Bloom) Finally, offered to help in any way. The mayor and Cromwell must be the bad guys because forget about everyone else. Plus, Cromwell discovers that Sonny has been communicating with someone through her game, then stuffs her into a suitcase, and her escape and chase through the mall are – wait for it – ridiculous.

“Sunny Side Up” – Will Trent, pictured: Ramon Rodriguez as Agent Will Trent. Photo: Zac Popik/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.

Where the crime-solving plot hangs in the balance, the characters’ personal stories really shine in this episode. The series explores themes reminiscent of Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing apology, personal responsibility, making amends, and striving to be the best version of yourself. For example, Will decided not to return to Tennessee. He apologizes to Faith, admitting that he shouldn’t have left like that, and Faith admits that she wished he’d let her help him. Trent gets extra entertainment points for singing “Midnight Train to Georgia” with his dog Betty. Angie Polaski (Erica Christensen) also promised the Atlanta Police Department that she would not let her personal trauma affect her work again. “I want to serve,” she said. “Let me come back and I’ll be the best version of myself because that’s what it takes.” The growth of the characters and their evolving relationship added a depth that kept me invested, even as the center Mystery no.

“Single Side Up”—WILL TRENT, as shown in the picture (left): Bobbie Eakes serves as POST representative #1, and Allen Earls serves as POST representative #2. Wilford Harwood/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.

Another highlight is the clever arrangement of old friends (almost family) finding themselves on opposite sides of the law. Wexford is still the gang leader, and his daughter Sunny has moved into the home of director Amanda Wagner (Sonia Thorne). Will gave Wexford a picture of him and Sonny. Wexford made him childhood snacks that included sugar, salt, Kool-Aid and pickles. Is this true? However, we still don’t know the specifics of Wexford’s manslaughter conviction and how Will was related to it. These dynamics are bound to create further conflict as the season progresses, ensuring future episodes have plenty of emotional and dramatic moments.

“Sunny Side Up” – Will Trent, pictured (left): Antwayne Hopper as Rafael Wexford and Ramon Rodriguez as agent Will Trent. Zach Popik/Disney© 2025 Disney. all rights reserved.

In essence, Will Trent reminded me that police procedurals are never really about the crime itself. After all, criminal motives are relatively limited. In my opinion, Mayor Anthony’s motives for killing the first cop, Sonny’s janitor, and Captain Cromwell were pretty weak and unworthy of Will Trent’s talents. Thankfully, the heart of the show lies in the talented, interesting, and often flawed characters who navigate the murky waters of justice and morality in ATL.

Despite some predictable plot elements, “Sunny Side” earned solid attention for its engaging character arcs and the promise of deeper conflicts to come. do you agree? Did you, like me, find Will and Wexford’s final interaction about their respective paths threatening? Please tell me in the comments.

Total score:

7/10

Lynette Jones