The second episode of Will Trent Season 4 delivers a dramatic answer to the fate of serial killer James Ulster, leaving the GBI agent grappling with a morally complex victory. In the episode titled “Love Takes Time,” Will is pushed to his absolute limit by his mother’s killer, resulting in a confrontation that changes everything.
The episode picks up from a fiery cliffhanger. Will Trent is missing and presumed dead after a burned-out car with two bodies is discovered. While the scene suggests a murder-suicide, Angie Polaski quickly notices clues that point to a staged event, confirming Will is still alive. The story then rewinds to show how Will, after being abducted by Ulster, managed to fight back and take the killer hostage. Instead of driving to GBI headquarters, Will took a detour, wrestling with the monumental decision of whether to deliver Ulster to justice or take it into his own hands to prevent future murders.
A Twisted Captivity and Unexpected Alliance
Before Will can act on his dark thoughts, the situation takes another turn. A woman named Susan Barno, revealed to be one of Ulster’s many former fiancรฉes, intervenes. She drugs Will, frees Ulster, and takes both men captive in a trailer. Susan, a corrections officer furious to learn she was not Ulster’s only outside contact, then turns violent against Ulster himself.
This forced captivity creates a bizarre dynamic. Will and James Ulster are compelled to work together to plan an escape. During this time, they have a loaded conversation about Will’s mother, Lucy. Ulster expresses what seem like sincere paternal feelings for Will and even claims to have regrets about killing Lucy. However, he also delivers a psychologically damaging message, suggesting that he and Will are more alike than Will wants to admit.
Actor Ramรณn Rodrรญguez discussed the complexity of these scenes, noting, “It’s almost like he’s one of the few people that Will has that’s connected to his mom. It’s sad that it’s through such a tragedyโฆ but in a weird way, it’s almost like they kind of need each other”. He described Ulster’s words as “dark and twisted,” designed to test Will and pull him toward a darker side.
The Final Confrontation and Ulster’s Fate
The standoff ends when Angie, following a lead despite dealing with pregnancy-related Braxton-Hicks contractions, tracks the group to a warehouse. A shootout erupts. In the chaos, James Ulster is fatally shot. Reports indicate he stepped forward, taking the gunshot wound that ultimately killed him. Will is present as Ulster breathes his last.
Ulster’s final words to Will are a chilling, unresolved whisper: “See you soon”. This line has left fans and Will himself deeply unsettled, sparking questions about its true meaning. Co-showrunner Daniel Thomsen explained that Will likely interprets it as being perpetually haunted by Ulster’s memory. Thomsen added, “But there’s a dimension to what Ulster means that Will is not anticipating”, leaving the door open for the character’s influence to persist.
So, did Will Trent kill James Ulster? The direct answer is no. Will was prepared to cross that line and later admitted he would have killed Ulster, but he never got the chance. Ulster died during the rescue confrontation, with Angie and Susan involved in the gunfire. Will’s role was that of a witness to Ulster’s final moments, not his executioner.
The Aftermath for Will and His Relationships
The episode’s final scenes show Will struggling with the emotional fallout. He returns home to his father, Caleb, who senses Will is not being fully honest about what happened when he had Ulster trapped in his car. Caleb hopes the death brings Will some peace, but Will can only offer an impersonal statement about the world being safer.
The showrunners described this quiet moment as profoundly important. Liz Heldens noted that the “not talking is everything,” showing a supportive, non-judgmental relationship where Caleb accepts what little his son is willing to share. This mirrors past unresolved conversations between them, choosing connection over forced confession.
Meanwhile, Angie’s actions highlight tensions in her personal life. Her decision to pursue the case while pregnant amplifies Seth’s fears about the dangers of her job. The showrunners clarify that Seth is not a jealous rival to Will but a mature partner who loves Angie and understands her past, representing a new kind of relationship for her.
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What Ulster’s Death Means for Will Trent Season 4
While James Ulster appears to be physically gone, the show’s creative team suggests his presence will linger. The central theme of Season 4 is exploring the darker parts of Will’s psyche and what he is capable of. Ulster has been the primary catalyst for this internal struggle.
Daniel Thomsen indicated that even in death, Ulster can continue to appear in Will’s head as a manifestation of his darkest thoughts. This means actor Greg Germann could potentially return in flashbacks, hallucinations, or through the lasting psychological impact he has left on Will. The haunting final words, “See you soon,” all but guarantee that Ulster will continue to torment Will psychologically.
The episode also sets up new dynamics for the season. With Kevin Daniels promoted to series regular, Detective Franklin Wilks will have a larger role. The next episode, “Studio 4B,” will see Will and Faith investigating a murder in the art world, while Betty the dog helps Ormewood and Angie with a neighborhood case.
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