The latest case in Atlanta takes a heavy psychological toll on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s top agent. Will Trent Season 4 Episode 7, titled “CALL PAUL,” aired on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, on ABC and brought back two significant figures from the past—one flesh and blood, and one purely in the mind. The episode delivered an intense look into the fractured psyche of Will Trent (Ramón Rodríguez) as he investigated a suburban murder that hit too close to home.
While the show continues its successful run with an 18-episode order for Season 4, this particular installment stood out for its emotional depth and the return of Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Paul Campano, Will’s volatile former foster brother . But the surprise appearance came from beyond the grave, as Will’s imagination resurrected his late nemesis, James Ulster, played by Greg Germann .
The Main Cast Leading Episode 7
The core ensemble remains the backbone of the series, with each actor bringing their characters through increasingly complex personal and professional challenges.
Ramón Rodríguez leads the cast as Will Trent, the special agent whose traumatic childhood in foster care shaped his unique investigative methods. In this episode, viewers saw Will pushed to his emotional limits as he delved into the mind of a meticulous killer. His empathy, usually his greatest strength, began to edge toward an obsession that threatened his inner balance .
Iantha Richardson returns as Faith Mitchell, Will’s partner at the GBI. Faith finds herself in a difficult position as she watches Will struggle with the case and the reappearance of Paul. Her role becomes crucial in trying to keep her partner grounded while they work to solve the chilling suburban murder .
Erika Christensen appears as Angie Polaski, Will’s childhood friend from the foster system and on-again, off-again romantic partner. Now an Atlanta PD Homicide detective, Angie continues to navigate her complicated relationship with Will while handling her own cases. This episode sees her dealing with the fallout of recent events while maintaining her professional duties .
Jake McLaughlin plays Michael Ormewood, Angie’s partner at APD Homicide. Ormewood continues to struggle with his anger management issues and past traumas, though this episode offered a lighter moment involving a skunk and a new colleague .
Sonja Sohn portrays Amanda Wagner, the GBI Deputy Director who serves as both Will’s boss and a surrogate mother figure. Amanda’s tough-love approach to managing her team remains essential as Will faces his personal demons .
Kevin Daniels has been promoted to series regular this season as Detective Franklin Wilks. Franklin has served as Angie’s AA sponsor and a reliable presence within the team. His increased screen time allows viewers to see more of his contributions to the Atlanta PD .
Bluebell continues to steal scenes as Betty, Will’s beloved Chihuahua. Betty remains an essential part of the storytelling, often providing both comic relief and emotional support for her struggling owner .
Guest Stars Who Made Episode 7 Unforgettable
The episode’s title, “CALL PAUL,” hinted at the return of a significant figure from Will’s past. Mark-Paul Gosselaar reprises his role as Paul Campano, Will’s former foster brother whose relationship with Will has always been complicated. Paul served as a quasi-antagonist in previous seasons, and his return threatens to unravel both the case and whatever peace Will has managed to create in his life .
“As his empathy edges toward obsession, the return of Paul Campano, his volatile former foster brother, threatens to unravel both the case and Will’s inner balance.”
The biggest surprise came from Greg Germann, who returned as James Ulster. However, this return took an unexpected form. James, the sadistic serial killer who died earlier in the season, reappeared not as a flashback but as a “mind ghost”—a figment of Will’s imagination. As Will investigated the murder and tried to put himself into the mindset of the killers, his subconscious manifested James as a taunting presence .
In these psychological scenes, James mocked Will, telling him: “Stop with your do-gooder crap. You can’t hide from me. You’re here for the killers. You like it.” This torment forced Will to confront the darkest parts of himself and question whether he was truly different from the monsters he pursued .
The episode also introduced a new face at the Atlanta PD. Sam Atkins, a newcomer played by an as-yet-unnamed actor, impressed Michael Ormewood and Franklin with his creative slide maneuver to capture a skunk. This light moment earned him a spot on the APD’s softball team, left open by Angie .
What Happened in “CALL PAUL”
The episode centered on a chilling suburban murder that pushed Will and Faith into the mind of a meticulous killer. As Will investigated, his natural empathy began working overtime, allowing him to understand the perpetrators in ways that became uncomfortable and dangerous for his own mental state .
This deep dive into the criminal mindset triggered the appearance of James Ulster as a psychological manifestation. James, who before his death had claimed a twisted paternal connection to Will and insisted they were alike, used this opportunity to torment Will from within his own mind. The imagined version of James took every opportunity to suggest that Will’s investigative work was merely a cover for his true nature .
In one intense imagined sequence, Will stabbed the faux James with yard clippers, declaring “This is what I want.” The horror came when he looked down and saw he had actually stabbed the murder victim. The scene served as a powerful visualization of Will’s fear that he might become the very thing he hunts .
Paul Campano’s return added another layer of complexity. Paul pulled Will out of his nightmare, and though he understood Will was simply stressed from the job, Will remained devastated by what he had experienced in his own head. Later, when Will and Paul found themselves trapped by the killers, Will had one of the perpetrators in his hands and seemed tempted to take the man’s life. Paul intervened by dropping the man with a large jug of water to the head, preventing Will from crossing a line he could never uncross .
The episode also delivered a crucial revelation about Will and Paul’s shared history. Paul helped Will remember that their decades-long feud actually began when Will attacked Paul first, upon joining the foster home. This realization forced Will to acknowledge that his struggles with self-control and rage weren’t new—they had been with him since childhood .
Betty the Chihuahua’s Continued Presence
While Episode 7 focused heavily on Will’s psychological battles, Betty remains an essential part of the series. The Chihuahua, whose full fictional name is Betty Maria White Trent, has become one of the most beloved characters on network television .
In previous Season 4 episodes, Betty’s instincts turned routine neighborhood checks into critical leads on dangerous cases. The dog’s ability to sense danger and comfort Will provides both genuine emotional weight and moments of levity in an otherwise intense series .
Where to Watch Will Trent Season 4 Episode 7
For viewers in the United States, “CALL PAUL” aired on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time on ABC. The episode is available for streaming on Hulu the day after broadcast .
International viewers can access the episode through various platforms:
- Canada: Available on Citytv same day as ABC broadcast
- United Kingdom: Past seasons available on Disney+ under the Star banner
- Australia: Available on Disney+
- India: Available on Disney+ Hotstar
- Other regions: Typically available on Disney+ within 24-48 hours of the US broadcast
The show now airs in the 8:00 PM ET timeslot, moving from its previous 10:00 PM slot to prime viewing hours .
What Makes This Episode Stand Out
“CALL PAUL” represents the kind of deep character work that sets Will Trent apart from standard police procedurals. The show focuses heavily on the lasting impact of childhood trauma and does not shy away from showing how the foster care system failed Will, Angie, and countless others .
The series, developed by Liz Heldens and Daniel T. Thomsen, is based on the bestselling book series by Karin Slaughter, who serves as an executive producer. While respecting the source material, the TV series has carved its own identity .
Viewers connect with Will not just because he solves crimes, but because he struggles with everyday things. His dyslexia requires him to approach problems differently. His difficulty expressing emotions frustrates the people who care about him. He succeeds at work but still figures out how to be a partner, a friend, and a dog owner .
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Looking at the Season Ahead
With 18 episodes ordered for Season 4, Will Trent has plenty of story left to tell. Following Episode 7, the season continues with Episode 8, titled “We’re Looking for a Vampire,” scheduled to air on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. That episode will see a woman found drained of her blood, pulling Will and Caleb into a chilling case that leads to a suspect who mirrors Will’s pain, while Amanda confronts her lingering trauma .
The season will run through spring 2026, with episodes airing weekly on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu .
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