How do you feel about nemeses? Not yours. We know how you feel about “them” (and you’re right). But how do you feel about a great detective having a nemesis? You know, Sherlock and Moriarty, Luther and Alice, Alex Cross and cursing at Ben’s Chili Bowl, Cordelia Cupp and Netflix—the life-altering foes who redefine a detective and push them to the edge.
This week, Will Trent is one step closer to the edge, and he’s about to break. With Adelaide (Mallory Jansen) in the wind and Uncle Antonio missing, he wakes up in the hospital full of anti-venom and in restraints. Of course, we’re just glad he woke up at all, but in other scenarios that might’ve been a fun night. It wasn’t.
It wasn’t a great night for the guy Ormewood and Franklin find in a cheap motel room, either. He’s face down in a very expensive sweater, with a dusting of cocaine, and some prescription drugs that ain’t his. That means they have to go to the Symphony. Trust me, that’s what that means, and Franklin is acting kind of strange about it. Maybe it’s because Ormewood thinks he’s good at playing the piano. I’ll say that again, Ormie THINKS he’s good at the piano. You will not feel the same.
Meanwhile, have you ever been watching Will Trent and thought, “thank god for Nico?” No? That changes today. I don’t know if Will appreciates his found family (outside of Angie) as much as he should, but this season is leading him there. When your person starts doing something weird because they’re hurting, you do the weird thing with them. That’s love (and demolition is good for the heart).
Is Ulster a better therapist than Dr. Roach? No. Why would you think that? I’m worried about our guy because his fears for Uncle Antonio— rightfully so—have him spiraling into new dark spaces. Which is pretty much like throwing a rabbit into a salad garden. I’m saying he’s used to it. And that’s a bad thing.
Meanwhile, meanwhile, Amanda has found a support group to help her with her post-traumatic anxiety. She’s opening up about her feelings and her healing in a way we never thought we’d see. She also meets someone sexy, and there’s dinner involved. I know you might not believe me now, but that’s going to be a cause for concern.
Oooh, Amanda isn’t the only one with a personal life. Franklin has a past, too. I mean, we knew it, but there’s nothing like seeing it. Especially when Ormie and Faith are watching.
Meanwhile, meanwhile, meanwhile, Will and Ulster investigate Adelaide. What Will discovers is as disturbing as the criminally insane, reverse father figure they share. Let me just say, neither had a happy childhood. But where Will and Angie chose compassion, becoming protectors, Adelaide chose a murder cult. And the situation is about to get so much worse. We see a different side of Will in a scary scene that mirrors Ulster. But is it all in the line of duty, or should we be more worried about Mr. Trent than we thought?
And who the hell is The Commander? Damn, this overarching plot gets deep. Ramón Rodríguez is going to need that Emmy at the end of this season.
“I Hear It Now, I Was Good” has horror movie tendencies—you will scream at the screen. Sometimes because you’re giggling, but mostly because by the time the episode ends, you’ll know none of this can be good.
Quote: “You were scammed. I hope you didn’t give her your Social Security number.“
Oh, and don’t let the meaning behind this episode’s title crush you on the way out.
After Air (added Mar 25):
Now that you’ve seen the episode, let’s talk about it. Did you scream when Will passed the mirror and we saw Ulster’s reflection in it? I did. Ramón was incredible, taking on all the little mannerisms and quirks Greg Germann gives to his murderous character. Now you see why I say Ramón needs that Emmy.
Also, when the Atlanta Orchestra director, Claudia (Zoe Lister Jones), finally hears her symphony played, the look on her face is rhapsodic. Which made it so much worse when she told Franklin why she killed the Conductor. When they were in college, she shared her composition with him and he crushed her confidence—telling her it wasn’t good. She gave up on composing after that because she trusted him, but his gaslighting made her doubt herself.
Decades later, learning that he’s the one who couldn’t write music and that she was the brilliant one broke her. He stole the very symphony he claimed wasn’t good enough and took it for himself. Like she wouldn’t notice. That’s what makes her last line and the title of this episode such a killer. Claudia realizes she never should have listened to that man, but should have heard the greatness in herself, when she says, “I hear it now, I was good” all along.
Central Cast: Ramón Rodríguez as Will Trent, Erika Christensen as Angie, Iantha Richardson as Faith, Jake McLaughlin as Ormewood, Sonja Sohn as Amanda, Scott Foley as Dr. Seth, Kevin Daniels as Franklin, Cora Lu Tran as Nico, Janina Gavankar as Someone Sexy (maybe Casey), and Greg Germann as James Ulster
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
8PM ET – Will Trent: I Hear It Now, I Was Good” (412)
on ABC and Streaming Next Day on Hulu
Will grows anxious over the whereabouts of his uncle, drawing emotional support from Angie. Meanwhile, the murder of a famed conductor, found with cryptic musical clues, pulls Ormewood, Faith and Franklin into the world of the Atlanta Symphony. (TV-14, LV)
