Will Trent’s “Regarding the Death of Whitney McAdams” delivers a ‘haunting’ (in a fun way) mystery with a moral compass. This week’s episode acts as a filler, keeping the show’s main arc about Rafael Wexford (Antwayn Hopper) front and center. However, the secondary subplot—a murder over a sandwich—stumbles. While humor is welcome, the lack of gravity in addressing homicide jars the tone, making it feel too frivolous.
Although titled Will Trent, the show often highlights strong female characters. Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) tasks Special Agents Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) and Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) with investigating her friend’s missing teenage daughter. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) probes Belle Rose, described by Faith as “Atlanta’s highest echelon of Black excellence, wealth, and exclusion.”
“Regarding the Death of Whitney McAdams” – WILL TRENT, Pictured: Briyana Guadalupe as Whitney McAdams. Photo: Daniel Delgado Jr./Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
Faith and Will encounter varied responses at Belle Rose. Elijah Buckley (Darius Jordan Lee), a choreographer and early suspect, dismisses warnings not to leave town, asserting he goes where he pleases. Another interviewee, a girl with a high-profile internship, insists on taping her interview, citing her status as a Black minor without parental or legal representation—exuding moxie.
Elijah clears his name, providing an alibi of teaching a dance class at Faith’s studio. A mutual attraction sparks between Faith and Elijah, leading to a dance where he reveals Whitney’s schoolgirl crush on him, which he shut down. He avoids the “complicated dynamics of female friendships.”
“Regarding the Death of Whitney McAdams” – WILL TRENT, Pictured (L-R): Darius Jordan Lee as Elijah Buckley and Iantha Richardson as Faith Mitchell. Photo: Daniel Delgado Jr./Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
Detective Angie Polaski (Erika Christensen) leads the murder investigation of an AC repairman while her partner, Michael Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), deals with his children’s poison ivy outbreak. Angie and Michael solve the crime remotely, relying on scant clues, including stomach contents relayed by coroner Pete (Kurt Yue).
“Regarding the Death of Whitney McAdams” – WILL TRENT, Pictured (L-R): Owen Trumbly as Max Ormewood, Erika Christensen as Angie Polaski, Jake McLaughlin as Michael Ormewood, and Jophielle Love as Cooper Ormewood. Photo: Daniel Delgado Jr./Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
Will discovers Whitney McAdams (Briyana Gudalupe) is not just missing but dead. Her spirit guides him in unraveling her murder. Even Michael’s daughter, Cooper (Jophielle Love), provides a critical clue—a jingle for Jean and Tony’s Burger Shack, located near the repairman’s body.
Whitney emerges as a paradox: a prodigy bound for MIT yet deeply flawed. Her actions—flirting with older men, betraying friends, and blackmailing enemies—paint a complex portrait. Abandoned by her parents, Whitney’s behavior reflects her circumstances. Through Will’s eyes, she becomes a hero and an ethical guide, forcing him to confront his guilt over Jeremy’s role as a confidential informant in Rafael’s organization.
“Regarding the Death of Whitney McAdams” – WILL TRENT, Pictured (L-R): Ramon Rodriguez as Will Trent, Briyana Guadalupe as Whitney McAdams. Photo: Wilford Harewood /Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
Jeremy (Deion Smith) panics about spying on Rafael, and Will advises him to “be smart, lay low,” while directing him to gather evidence—further endangering him. Whitney’s presence catalyzes Will’s emotional reckoning, highlighting his betrayal of Faith and fear of abandonment. Whitney warns, “Secrets have a way of getting out.”
The layered narrative intertwines murder investigations with detectives’ personal lives. Whitney’s intrusive thoughts cut deep, positioning her as more than a victim. She’s an oracle. Her warnings urge Will to protect Jeremy or reveal the truth to his mother.
Earlier, Will and Faith interviewed Jayden Parker (Cristian Chase Jones), Whitney’s potential hookup. Jayden claims Whitney was missing when he arrived, but police found a towel from her property in his car. He explains he used it to clean his shoes, unwilling to appear with dirty sneakers. Whitney’s voicemail berating Jayden for being late leads Will and Marion Alba (Gina Rodriguez) back to Whitney’s bedroom, where they uncover a box of secrets, including a sex tape implicating Tasha’s stepfather, Gavin (Gazelle Brown), and Lorraine Potts (Lartasha Rose).
“Regarding the Death of Whitney McAdams” – WILL TRENT, Pictured (L-R): Ramon Rodriquez as Will Trent, Gina Rodriguez as Marion Alba. Photo: Wilford Harewood/Disney © 2025 Disney. All rights reserved.
Tasha, set to inherit her mother’s wealth, is murdered after uncovering her stepfather and Lorraine’s scheme to drug her and seize her money via a Britney Spears-type conservatorship. Determined to help her friend, Whitney tests the antipsychotic drugs used against Tasha, sealing her fate.
“Regarding the Death of Whitney McAdams” explores morality, redemption, and the gray areas of human character. Despite tonal inconsistencies, it’s a thought-provoking watch. Angie and Faith’s auntie energy with Michael’s kids adds warmth, but Will’s secrecy threatens the group’s closeness. Time will tell if Will reveals the truth about Jeremy.
What do you think Will should do? What do you think he will do? Let me know in the comments.
Overall Rating:
7:10
Lynette Jones
