A recent installment of the popular ABC crime drama “Will Trent” reportedly delivered a deeply resonant moment for many viewers, particularly those who grew up with the fantastical and often heart-wrenching film, “The Neverending Story.” Episode 16 of the show’s third season, titled “Push, Jump, Fall,” is said to contain a scene that directly echoes the intense emotionality of a pivotal sequence from the 1984 cinematic classic.
While the episode weaves together several personal struggles for its core characters – including Angie Polaski’s battle with grief and Michael Ormewood’s health concerns – it was the storyline involving the titular Will Trent (portrayed by Ramón Rodríguez) and his interaction with an ailing horse that reportedly captured significant attention.
In the episode, Will and his partner Faith Mitchell (played by Iantha Richardson) find themselves tasked with locating a woman and a distressed older horse named Pancake. As they attempt to transport the animal, which they discover has been poisoned, Pancake’s condition deteriorates. This leads to a scene where Will implores the weakening horse to persevere, a moment that reportedly bears a striking resemblance to the infamous scene in “The Neverending Story” where the young protagonist Atreyu desperately tries to save his beloved horse Artax from succumbing to the Swamp of Sadness.
The emotional weight of Atreyu’s pleas to Artax is a deeply ingrained memory for many who experienced the film during their childhood. The raw desperation and the sense of impending loss in that scene were powerful and often traumatic for young viewers. Reports suggest that the “Will Trent” episode taps into this shared cultural touchstone, with Will’s dialogue and actions mirroring Atreyu’s desperate encouragement.
The article outlining the episode’s events highlights Will’s words to Pancake: “Hey girl, I know you’re not feeling well, all right? But we need to keep going, okay? I want you to see Ms. Bernadette again, okay? So what do you say huh girl? Can we do that? Can you find the strength?” This echoes the fervent appeals Atreyu makes to Artax in the face of overwhelming despair.
While the “Neverending Story” scene culminates in profound sadness, the “Will Trent” narrative reportedly takes a slightly different turn, offering a glimmer of hope where the childhood memory brought tears. This clever mirroring allows the ABC drama to evoke a strong emotional response from its audience by referencing a well-known and impactful moment in popular culture, while still forging its own path.
Beyond this central reference, the episode reportedly continued to explore the ongoing challenges faced by Angie and Michael, adding layers of personal drama to the overarching narrative. However, it is the echo of “The Neverending Story’s” heart-wrenching scene that appears to have been a particularly noteworthy aspect of this “Will Trent” episode, demonstrating the power of intertextual references in television storytelling.
“Will Trent” continues to air on Tuesdays on ABC, and this particular episode seems to have left a lasting impression on viewers through its compelling narrative and its poignant connection to a beloved film.
