The latest episode of Will Trent, titled “Studio 4B,” delivered a chilling case and a surprising neighborhood mystery. While Special Agent Will Trent investigated the staged murder of a model, the real scene-stealer was Betty the dog, whose instincts led Michael Ormewood and Angie Polaski to a life-or-death situation right next door. The episode, which aired on Tuesday, January 20, mixed the show’s signature dark crime elements with character-driven stories about recovery and new beginnings.
A Model’s Murder Leads to a Killer’s Obsession
The episode opened with model Chloe Benbrooke being murdered during a fake photoshoot in a rented studio. Will and his partner, Faith Mitchell, discovered the killing was meticulously staged. The killer used rare, expensive film and a blacklight to capture the moment of death as a piece of art. Their investigation into the brutal art world introduced a returning character: Ava Green, a photographer Will met in Season 1. Ava, played by Julia Chan, helped Will navigate this world, and their immediate chemistry was clear when she said:
“I missed your suits.”
Ava identified the artistic style in photos found in Chloe’s apartment, pointing Will and Faith toward Crispin Ratner, a disgraced photographer with a history of assaulting models. Ratner led them to a wealthy art collector, Gideon Barnell, who was obsessed with capturing the precise moment of death in his artwork. This twisted obsession made Barnell the prime suspect in commissioning Chloe’s murder.
The trail, however, led back to the studio building. Faith traced the purchase of the rare film to an eBay account registered to Alex Talvesco, the son of the building’s owner. When Will and Faith moved to arrest Alex, he confessed to taking money from Barnell to help his mother with mortgage troubles but claimed he couldn’t go through with the murder. Overwhelmed, Alex jumped out of a window to his death in a tragic moment that left Will feeling responsible.
The case took its final twist when Will took evidence to Ava’s studio. While developing photos, Valentina Talvesco, Alex’s mother, arrived and held Ava at gunpoint. She confessed that she was the one who actually killed Chloe after Alex backed out, all to secure the money needed to save their building from being turned into condos. Faith arrived just in time, and Valentina was arrested.
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Betty’s Paw Leads to a Witness Protection Crisis
While Will worked the main case, a separate but equally tense story unfolded in his own neighborhood. During a walk with Michael Ormewood, his daughter Cooper, and dog-sitter Nico, Will’s chihuahua Betty ran into a neighbor’s yard. When a strange couple returned Betty, Ormewood noticed blood on the dog’s paw. This small clue sparked his instincts, and with Angie Polaski‘s help, he began looking into the neighbor, Viggo.
Ormewood, who is struggling with fatigue and other side effects while recovering from brain tumor treatment, confided in Angie about feeling inadequate. Despite his health struggles, he persisted. A visit to Viggo’s home revealed the neighbor was scared and had a fresh cut on his face, but he refused help. This prompted Ormewood, Angie, and Nico to set up a stakeout with Betty in the car.
The stakeout broke open when Betty dashed into the house again. Following her inside, the team discovered the mysterious couple from earlier tied up and gagged in the living room. Viggo emerged, claiming the couple, who were linked to Albanian organized crime, had tried to kill him. He then attempted to flee. In a physically demanding chase, Ormewood pushed through his exhaustion, tackled Viggo, and made the arrest.
It was later revealed that Viggo was in the FBI’s Witness Protection Program, and Ormewood’s dogged investigation—sparked by Betty’s bloody paw—had likely saved his life. The subplot served as a major moment for Ormewood, proving he could still be an effective investigator even while adapting to his new physical limits.
Character Crossroads and New Arrangements
The episode placed Will at an emotional crossroads. After wrapping up the case, Ava visited him at the GBI. Still dealing with the aftermath of his traumatic confrontation with serial killer James Ulster, Will expressed hesitation about starting a serious relationship. Ava, understanding his need for space, suggested a casual, no-strings arrangement for when she was in town. This left Will with a sense of hopeful relief, a contrast to his usual guarded self.
Ormewood’s story also ended on a note of personal victory mixed with reality. Celebrated by the team for cracking the witness protection case, he chose to have lunch with his daughter instead. The episode honestly portrayed his recovery journey, showing him falling asleep immediately upon getting home, a testament to the ongoing challenge of his health.
Also Read: Will Trent Season 4 Episode 3 Release Date Info, Episode Details, Cast and Streaming Guide
