ABC Made a Bold Change to Make Will Trent More TV-Friendly

In the TV series “Will Trent,” there have been quite a few alterations compared to the original books, changes that fans of the show should appreciate, especially since one of the major modifications was made. A major question left unanswered at the end of season 3 is whether Will and Angie will reunite now that she’s having a child with another man. However, it’s not this romantic plot twist that represents the most significant deviation from the source material. Instead, it’s the fact that the original “Will Trent” ends up with someone else entirely – a character we might encounter in season 4 of the show.

In numerous instances, it’s observed that the books and the series differ significantly in terms of character portrayal. Betty remains largely unchanged, but the rest of the Will Trent cast deviates noticeably from their book counterparts. Originally, Will was a blonde giant, so tall that other cops likened him to Lurch from The Addams Family, a transformation that book enthusiasts have generally accepted in Will Trent more than Jack Reacher fans did when Tom Cruise first took on the role. However, even these character alterations pale in comparison to how drastically ABC shifted the overall mood of the original novels.

Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent Books Are Much Darker & Gorier Than The ABC Series

The First Book Alone Is Almost Nightmare-Inducing

In contrast to the troubling events in the third season finale of Will Trent, such as Ormewood’s tumor and Goodwin’s injury, they pale in comparison to the raw, unsettling atmosphere found in Karin Slaughter’s books. The opening scene of her first book, Triptych, is particularly harrowing as Michael Ormewood investigates the death of a prostitute who died from choking on her own blood after having her tongue bitten off during a violent assault in her housing project stairway. This gruesome incident, despite his previous exposure to the horrors of witnessing a school full of women being burned to death during the Gulf War, still manages to unsettle him significantly.

The situation becomes more complicated when Ormewood encounters Will, who discloses that Aleesha Monroe, the victim in question, is under investigation by the GBI for cases similar to hers. The surprising detail is that, estimated to be around her 30s, Aleesha appears to be at least twice as old as the other rape victims whose tongues were severed. Many of these victims were roughly the same age as Ormewood’s mistress, who was only 15 for a brief period at the start of the novel. To make matters even more distressing, Will provides graphic details about another crime involving a 10-year-old girl, despite no apparent connection to the current case.

ABC’s Will Trent Has Struck The Perfect Tone For Broadcast TV

The Series’ Off-The-Wall Humor Works Exquisitely

A reader who finds the initial chapters of a novel overwhelming might struggle to finish all 12 books by Karin Slaughter, but ABC simplifies matters significantly. Not only does Ormewood engage in infidelity with women his own age, but the gore depicted or graphically described is minimal compared to other works. One of the series’ standout features is its ability to transform the grim aspects of Will Trent’s GBI investigations into humor.

One particularly grim scene in the series involved Will accidentally shooting a child fatally. While such events aren’t unheard of in network procedurals, they don’t reach the depths of darkness found in shows like Law & Order: SVU. What makes this series stand out is that the main character copes with his guilt by hallucinating a cheerful musical number under the influence of drugs. This innovative concept might not align with the tone of novels, but it effectively sets Will Trent apart from most other procedurals.

Making The Will Trent TV Show Darker Would Make It More Suitable For Streaming

But That’s Not The Blessing That It Sounds Like

In order to make Will Trent suitable for network television, some of the differences between the books might need to be softened. Yet, a faithful adaptation of the books, with its gritty tone mirroring Slaughter’s writing style, could be almost inappropriate for broadcast due to its dark themes and cynical view of law enforcement and human nature. Such a series would likely outshine even the most somber shows like AMC’s The Killing. Nevertheless, it remains questionable whether being picked up by a streaming service would be beneficial for the show, as it may not align with their usual content offerings or audience preferences.

Discussing story structures, a potential approach for “Triptych” could involve presenting approximately a quarter of it from the viewpoint of a man who was convicted of raping and murdering his childhood friend. This twist might create an engaging viewing experience if watched all at once. Conversely, a streaming adaptation of “Will Trent” would likely have an unpredictable airing schedule and fewer episodes per season compared to its source material. While the books can be an intense read with elements like underage blood spatter, the current on-screen version offers a more enjoyable watch.

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2025-06-02 17:08