It's a risky move for any TV show to kill off a main character, even in the crime procedural genre where such twists are somewhat expected. Will Trent had never done it in its first three seasons—until now. The shocking death of GBI Director Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) in Season 4 was meant to shake the series to its core. After all, Amanda has been the emotional and professional anchor for both the show and its protagonist, Will Trent (Ramón Rodríguez). Her loss should have fundamentally altered the series' tone and direction.
But here's the problem: the first episode after Amanda's death, titled "Our Last Dance," barely reflects that seismic shift. Instead of sitting with the devastating weight of her murder, the show barrels ahead with a fast-paced plot involving Adelaide Trevens (Mallory Jansen) and the rescue of Will's uncle, Antonio (John Ortiz). The grief that should dominate the episode is pushed to the sidelines, making Amanda's death feel like just another plot point rather than a transformative event.
A Missed Opportunity for Meaningful Grief
Other procedurals have handled main character deaths with more care. Shows like 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy have dedicated entire episodes to mourning, allowing the audience to process the loss alongside the characters. Will Trent, however, seems uncomfortable with the darkness that Amanda's death demands. Even the death of James Ulster (Greg Germann) earlier in the season received a more emotional, well-crafted send-off than Amanda's off-screen, violent end.
The episode does have moments of genuine emotional resonance, particularly when focusing on the grief of Evelyn (LisaGay Hamilton), Faith (Iantha Richardson), and Will. But these scenes are too brief, sandwiched between a frantic hunt for Adelaide and the rescue mission. Even Bill Appleyard (Jason Davis), Amanda's longtime rival, suddenly becomes agreeable, as if the show is trying to tie up loose ends too neatly.
Centering Will, But Forgetting Everyone Else
Amanda's death is primarily framed through Will's perspective, which makes sense given their deep history—she saved his life, named him, and even tried to adopt him as a baby. But the show neglects the broader impact of her loss on the entire team. Faith and Evelyn are clearly devastated, but their grief is given little room to breathe. The tonal whiplash is jarring: a supposedly hilarious reunion between Franklin (Kevin Daniels) and Ulster's ex-fiancée, Janice-Theresa (Wynn Everett), feels cruel and out of place in an episode that should be about mourning.
This rush to return to business as usual is a sign that Will Trent isn't fully committing to the consequences of its boldest move. As we've seen in other shows, like the aftermath of Sarah Atwood's Yellowstone exit, a character's death can be a powerful catalyst for change if handled properly. But Will Trent seems to be trying to have it both ways—killing off a beloved character while avoiding the emotional fallout.
What the Show Needs to Do Now
There's no going back. Amanda Wagner is dead, and Will Trent must embrace the darkness of that loss to move forward. The show needs to let the grief linger over Will and Faith's partnership, and over the tone of the series itself. Instead of rushing through the pain, it should sit with it, allowing the characters—and the audience—to truly feel the weight of what's been lost.
For a show that has always balanced dark humor with emotional depth, this is a critical moment. If Will Trent continues to sideline Amanda's memory in favor of fast-paced cases, it risks betraying not only her legacy but also the trust of its viewers. The series made its bed with this shocking death; now it has to lie in it.
Will Trent airs Tuesdays at 8:00 P.M. EST on ABC.
