As Will Trent barrels toward its Season 3 finale, fans are bracing for what might be the most heartbreaking cliffhanger yet. The latest episode, “A Funeral Fit for a Quartermaine,” dropped an emotional bombshell — and no, it wasn’t just the farewell to Rafael Wexler’s grandmother. It was that final reveal: Michael Ormewood has a brain tumor.
Nooooooooooo. Don’t do this to us, Will Trent. We just started loving this man.
In a twist that no one wanted and everyone feared, Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin) fainted in the bullpen after an episode filled with moments hinting something wasn’t quite right. He’d been clumsy, forgetful, and his vision seemed off. At first, it felt like a throwaway detail — maybe he just needed glasses, right? But then came the collapse… and the dreaded diagnosis from none other than Angie’s dreamy new boyfriend, Dr. Seth McDale (Scott Foley).
We Can’t Lose Ormewood Now — He’s Come Too Far
The timing couldn’t be more devastating. Ormewood has had one of the best redemption arcs on television. He started as Will Trent’s most difficult character to root for — short-tempered, unfaithful, emotionally stunted. But over three seasons, he’s transformed. The once-toxic detective is now a grounded, empathetic single dad, and surprisingly, one of the show’s most emotionally in-touch characters. And yes, he’s also the much-needed comedic relief.
Jake McLaughlin brings an unexpected warmth to Ormewood that sneaks up on you. And let’s be honest — those piercing blue eyes and ridiculously long eyelashes aren’t hurting his case either. Rewatching Abigail recently, I couldn’t help but notice the uncanny resemblance between McLaughlin and the late Angus Cloud. Those two could’ve played brothers — same intense stare, same soulful sadness behind the eyes.
Ormewood’s journey has been slow, honest, and earned. That’s exactly why the idea of losing him now — either temporarily or permanently — feels like a gut punch.
Will Trent, This Is Not That Kind of Show (Please Don’t Try to Be)
I get it — high-stakes finales and medical cliffhangers are a staple of network drama. But Will Trent has always walked a finer line. It’s a sleek, stylish cop show, with just enough emotional depth to make you care. It’s not Bones, which could lean into fantasy sequences and oddball dream episodes like that time Booth hallucinated Stewie Griffin. (Yes, that happened.)
Last week, Will Trent did dip into surreal territory with a disco hallucination while Will was drugged and tied up in a cult leader’s basement. And honestly? It worked. It was unexpected, colorful, and oddly fun. But that’s not a space Will Trent should live in full-time — the tone is too grounded, too emotionally sincere to carry multiple fantasy arcs without losing its identity.
That’s why Ormewood’s brain tumor can’t become just another plot device. He’s more than that now. We’ve lived with him, laughed at his sarcasm, watched him stumble through single fatherhood and messy cohabitation with Faith Mitchell. He’s a layered, flawed, lovable mess of a man. We want to see him grow — not be written out for dramatic effect.
Don’t Break Our Hearts Now, Will Trent
We’re invested. In Will, in Angie, in Faith, and yes — in Ormewood. And while this week’s flashbacks were beautifully done (special shoutout to Andres Velez for perfectly capturing a young Will), it’s what’s ahead that matters. We want these characters to keep growing, not just serve as emotional collateral.
So please, Will Trent writers: don’t you dare take Ormewood away from us. He’s finally become the heart of this show, and frankly, we’re not ready to say goodbye.
Let the man heal. Let him rest. Let him keep being a good cop, a good friend, and a great dad. Just give Ormewood a break — and give us a happy ending for once.
