The new ABC crime drama RJ Decker is keeping viewers on edge with its mix of strange Florida cases and personal drama. The show starring Scott Speedman just aired its third episode, and it delivered a twist that changes everything about a case that seemed straightforward at first. Here is what happened in Episode 3 and when you can watch the next episode.
What Happened in RJ Decker Episode 3?
Episode 3, titled “The Needle And The Damage Done,” starts with a normal day for RJ. He is helping his ex Catherine Delacroix (Adelaide Clemens) proofread an article when he gets a call from Emi Ochoa (Jaina Lee Ortiz). She tells him to change his shirt and meet her at a new location for a possible job from Wish (Kevin Rankin).
The job turns out to be a missing person case. A wealthy family needs help finding Holden Carter, a young man with a history of drug problems who did not come home after a support group meeting. His family fears he may have relapsed. RJ takes the case and starts asking questions.
At the community center where Holden was last seen, the counselor does not want to help at first. But after RJ explains that Holden’s sister is worried, the counselor checks the security footage. The footage shows something shocking. Holden leaves the meeting early through a side exit. Then someone wearing a mascot costume approaches him, grabs him, and forces him into a van.
RJ figures out the costume is Sammy the Sea Cucumber from Rio Vista Prep, the high school Holden attended. The current mascot tells RJ that the costume in the video is an old version retired in 2012 after a bullying incident where a rich kid hoisted the mascot on a flagpole with the performer inside and left him there overnight.
That leads RJ to Ricky Strom, the person who wore the costume back in 2012. When RJ gets to Ricky’s house, he finds Ricky tied up and trapped inside the old Sammy costume. Ricky admits he kidnapped Holden because of what happened to him years ago. But someone else broke in, attacked him, and took Holden.
Ricky tells RJ that Holden seemed nervous on the phone before the kidnapping. He was talking to someone and trying to find a place to meet. Ricky helps RJ find Holden’s phone, which Holden threw out the car window. The phone shows 47 calls from a man named Rico Delaware.
Before RJ can find Rico, Emi tells him that Holden was found dead in a cheap hotel with a needle in his arm. It looks like a drug overdose. But RJ is not convinced. He keeps digging and learns from Rico that Holden was asking questions about the family’s rehab centers. Rico says recruiters get paid thousands for bringing in addicts with good insurance.
Then things get even more complicated. An IRS agent named Jacob Koop shows up at RJ’s door. He tells RJ he does not think Holden’s death was an accident. And then he drops a bombshell. He says he thinks RJ killed Holden.
The episode ends with RJ now under suspicion for murder while trying to prove that Holden was actually killed because of what he discovered about his family’s business.
Why This Episode Matters
This episode moves the show away from simple weekly cases and into a longer story about corruption and cover-ups. The Carter family runs famous rehab centers, but Holden may have found out something dark about how they operate. His death being ruled an overdose looks too convenient.
The relationship drama also heats up in this episode. Catherine tries to help RJ’s family by paying for Sofia’s spa day and changing her volunteer schedule. But Mel (Bevin Bru) gets upset because she feels Catherine’s money makes things too easy and reminds her that she grew up poor. The couple works through it, but the tension shows real problems in their marriage.
Guest Stars in Episode 3
This episode featured Todd Denson as Holden Carter and Leif Gantvoort as Rico Delaware. Their performances added depth to the story of a family hiding dark secrets behind a fancy public image.
How to Watch RJ Decker Episode 4
RJ Decker Episode 4 is scheduled to air on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
For those who prefer streaming, new episodes become available the next day on Hulu. Viewers in the United States can watch Episode 4 on Hulu starting Wednesday, March 25. The show is also available through ABC’s official app and website for viewers with cable logins.
For international audiences, the show streams on Disney+ in many countries including the UK, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe. Release dates may vary slightly by region, but episodes typically appear within 24 hours of the US broadcast.
What Makes This Show Different
RJ Decker stands out because of its South Florida setting and willingness to be strange. The show is based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel “Double Whammy,” and it captures the weirdness of Florida that Hiaasen is famous for writing about .
The Miami Herald recently reported that Hiaasen based the character on his real-life friend Tim Chapman, a former photographer who covered major events like the Jonestown Massacre and the Mariel boatlift. Chapman even gave input on small details, like how Decker sees the world through his camera lens .
The show also films on location in Florida, which adds authenticity. The first episode featured a car chase along Fort Lauderdale Beach with the famous white Wave Wall in the background .
What Viewers Are Saying
The premiere of RJ Decker pulled in strong numbers. According to Deadline, the first episode drew 3.69 million live and same-day viewers, making it ABC’s most-watched 10 p.m. drama debut in over five years . When counting streaming and encores across platforms, that number grew to 11.44 million viewers .
Fans on social media are praising Speedman’s performance as a flawed hero who is smart but makes mistakes. The chemistry between the main cast members also gets positive comments, especially the unusual family setup with RJ, his ex Catherine, and her wife Mel all co-parenting together.
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Upcoming Guest Stars
The show has big names lined up for future episodes. Tamera Mowry-Housley, Rich Sommer, and Johanna Braddy will all appear as guest stars . Mowry-Housley plays Louise Verdon, a wife whose fancy lifestyle puts her in the middle of a case. Sommer and Braddy play a married couple who get death threats and hire RJ for help.
Other guest stars joining the show include Dawnn Lewis as RJ’s parole officer, Tony Plana as a Cuban exile, and Rizwan Manji as a clueless boss who gets pulled into trouble .
With Episode 3 ending on such a big cliffhanger and RJ now a murder suspect, fans will be watching closely to see how he clears his name and finds out the truth about Holden Carter’s death. The show continues to prove that network TV can still deliver smart, entertaining crime drama with heart and humor.
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