The latest episode of Will Trent brought back two significant people from the past, but only one of them was actually alive. Season 4 Episode 7, titled “Call Paul,” aired on February 17, 2026, on ABC and delivered an emotional and psychological rollercoaster for the GBI special agent. While viewers knew they would see the return of Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Will’s foster brother Paul Campano, the episode had a surprise in store with the unexpected return of Greg Germann as the sinister James Ulster.
The episode pushed Will to his breaking point as he investigated a chilling murder case that forced him to confront the darkest parts of his own psyche. With Paul back in his life and the ghost of James haunting his thoughts, Will had to face questions about who he really is and whether he can control the rage that has been with him since childhood.
The Return of Paul Campano Brings Old Wounds to the Surface
Mark-Paul Gosselaar returned as Paul Campano, Will’s former foster brother who has always had a complicated and volatile relationship with him. Their history goes back decades to when they lived in the same foster home, and the tension between them has never really gone away. Paul’s return in this episode was not a happy reunion but rather a collision course that threatened to derail both the case and Will’s fragile emotional balance .
The official synopsis for the episode teased that Paul’s appearance would threaten to unravel everything, and it did exactly that. As Will worked with Faith to track down a meticulous killer responsible for a suburban murder, his personal history kept interfering with his professional judgment. Paul’s presence forced Will to revisit memories and feelings he had tried to bury long ago .
James Ulster Returns as a Mind Ghost
The biggest shock of the episode came with the return of Greg Germann as James Ulster, the sadistic serial killer who died earlier in the season. James was the man who killed Will’s mother, and before his death, he had developed a twisted paternal feelings toward Will. In his final moments, James told Will that they were more alike than Will wanted to believe .
In this episode, as Will tried to get inside the head of the killers he was hunting, his imagination conjured up James as a “mind ghost.” This imaginary version of James tormented Will, taunting him about his true nature. The vision of James appeared while Will was deep in thought, trying to understand the violent mindset of the perpetrators .
“Will, you started this. It wasn’t me who made up some imaginary you for playtime. Why am I even here? No, this is who you are. Stop with your do-gooder crap. You can’t hide from me. You’re here for the killers. You like it.”
These words cut deep, reflecting the fears James planted in Will before he died. The imaginary confrontation escalated when Will grabbed a pair of yard clippers and stabbed the vision of James in the gut, shouting, “This is what I want.” But when he looked down, he saw not James but the murder victim lying on the ground. Will screamed, “No, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t mean to kill him. I meant to kill you” .
Will’s Darkest Moment and Paul’s Intervention
The nightmare sequence was broken when Paul shook Will out of his trance. Will took a moment to return to reality and control his outburst, deeply shaken by what had just happened in his own mind. Paul, who understands the stress of difficult lives, simply accepted that Will was lost in his thoughts .
Later in the episode, Will and Paul found themselves trapped by the killers they were pursuing. In the heat of the moment, Will got his hands on one of the perpetrators and seemed ready to take the man’s life. For a terrifying moment, it looked like James might be right about Will’s true nature. But Paul stepped in and hit the killer with a large jug of water, knocking him out and stopping Will from crossing a line he could never come back from .
Uncovering the Truth About Their Childhood Feud
After the danger passed, Paul helped Will understand something crucial about their shared past. For years, Will believed that Paul started their feud when they were kids in the foster system. But Paul reminded him of the truth: Will attacked Paul first when Paul first arrived at the foster home .
This revelation hit Will hard. It made him realize that his struggles with self-control and rage are not new. These feelings have been with him since he was a child, long before James Ulster entered his life. The anger and violence that he fears might be part of who he is have deep roots, and recognizing that was both painful and necessary for Will .
The Murder Case That Pushed Will Over the Edge
The investigation that triggered all of this centered on a chilling suburban murder that led Will and Faith to uncover a series of deadly crimes. Will’s ability to empathize with killers, which usually helps him solve cases, started to become an obsession. He found himself going too deep into the criminal mindset, trying to understand the thirst for violence from the inside .
This intense focus is what brought James back as a mind ghost. Will’s imagination used James to represent the darkest possibilities within himself. The case forced Will to ask whether he investigates killers because he wants to stop them or because, in some way, he understands them .
Lighter Moments at the Atlanta PD
While Will was going through his personal crisis, the Atlanta PD had a much different problem. A newcomer named Sam Atkins impressed Michael Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin) and Franklin (Kevin Daniels) with his creative approach to capturing a skunk. He used a slide maneuver that showed off his athletic skills and quick thinking .
This incident earned Sam the spot on the APB’s softball team, a position that had been left open by Angie (Erika Christensen). The lighter tone of this subplot provided a break from the intensity of Will’s storyline .
What This Episode Means for Will Going Forward
The events of “Call Paul” left Will with more questions than answers. He had to face the possibility that James was right about him, at least in some way. The rage and violence that James represented are real parts of Will’s personality, and he came dangerously close to acting on them .
But Paul’s presence in the episode also offered hope. Despite their difficult history, Paul was there when Will needed him. He stopped Will from making a fatal mistake and helped him understand his past better. The foster brothers may never be close, but they share a bond that comes from surviving the same system .
The episode also showed that Will’s struggles are not new. He has been dealing with these feelings since childhood, and recognizing that is the first step toward dealing with them in a healthier way .
Episode Details and Where to Watch
Will Trent Season 4 Episode 7, “Call Paul,” aired on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 8 pm ET on ABC . For viewers who missed the broadcast, the episode is available for streaming on Hulu, where new episodes are typically available the day after they air. The show also airs on CTV in Canada and can be found on various streaming platforms internationally.
The episode was directed by Geary McLeod and written by Britta Lundin . It runs for approximately 60 minutes and carries a TV-14 rating for violence and disturbing content.
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What’s Coming in Episode 8
The next episode, Season 4 Episode 8, is titled “We’re Looking for a Vampire” and will air on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9 pm ET on ABC . The time slot is later than usual, so viewers should take note.
The synopsis for Episode 8 teases: “A woman found drained of her blood pulls Will and Caleb into a chilling case, leading to a suspect who mirrors Will’s pain. Meanwhile, Amanda is forced to confront her lingering trauma” .
This case sounds like it will be another intense investigation that hits close to home for Will. The suspect who mirrors his pain could force Will to confront even more uncomfortable truths about himself.
Will Trent continues to air Tuesdays on ABC, with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu. The show has been renewed for a fourth season, and with 18 episodes ordered, there is plenty more story to tell . Fans can expect more cases, more character development, and probably more visits from the past as Will continues to navigate his complicated life and career.
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