Duster Episode 3 Recap: The Pursuit of Two Puzzles

Jim Ellis and Nina Hayes‘ partnership in the 70s-themes HBO show ”Duster’‘ remains at the center of the narrative. Even so, in episode 3, it’s still much too early for the getaway driver and the perpetually undermined FBI to trust each other with their own worlds. Consequently, as they remain equally intrigued by the respective, but kindred mysteries they’re pursuing, they set out on their own investigations. On his part, Jim finds himself circling Saxton to confirm once and for all whether or not he has trusted all his life deserves his suspicions. Meanwhile, Nina and her partner Awan decide to break some more department rules in order to crack the code behind Agent Breen, his files, and their mysterious disappearance. SPOILERS AHEAD!

Jim Snoops Around Saxton’s Business

Even though Jim has agreed to be Hayes’ informant, he continues to carry some guilt around the decision. So far, he has jeopardized his own life on multiple occasions by secretly turning on Saxton, a man the Ellises consider to be family. Still, he has no tangible proof that connects the crime boss to the murder of his brother, Joey, save for Hayes’ theories and hunches. Therefore, he decides to conduct an investigation of his own. He needs to gather more dirt on Saxton in order to convince the FBI Agent to continue looking into Joey’s case. Furthermore, Jim wants to conduct a personal analysis of his own so that he’s sure something is connecting his boss to his brother’s death.

Thus, the natural conclusion remains to shoulder himself into spending a day with Saxton. Fortunately, all it takes is one sabotaged limousine for the latter to call his reliable driver to take him to a meeting in Tucson. From there, it’s easy enough to fall back on longstanding familiarity to get the crime boss to open up to him, even if it’s only in vague terms about how important the upcoming meeting his for his syndicate. Additionally, some sneaking and entering at the location of the meet-up lets the driver know that his boss is looking forward to conducting business with the Russians. As such, Jim has collected enough information to keep Hayes happy for now and get a move on Joey’s case. However, the question of whether or not he’s willing to switch his loyalties permanently remains.

Hayes and Awan Infiltrate a Sanatorium

As the first Black female FBI Agent, Hayes has consistently ruffled some feathers simply by finally claiming her rightful seat at the table. Consequently, she’s used to breaking and bending a few rules in order to ensure success. Initially, when her boss, Nathan, forbids her from pursuing Jim Ellis as a potential informant, she overlooks that order and makes waves in an unsolvable case. Still, she knows that continuing to investigate Joey’s murder won’t bring her any closer to catching Saxton, at least until Jim comes through with some more information. Therefore, she decides to go down a different, equally forbidden road: Agent Breen.

Breen was the Agent on Saxton’s case before Hayes and Awan. However, both he and his case files seem to have mysteriously left the department. While the files are more permanently lost, one can track the Agent’s whereabouts down to the Kirkbridge Sanatorium, where he was admitted after a particularly intense breakdown at work. Even though a visit to Breen is strictly disallowed, Hayes decides to take the chance and bribe her way into the institution. Awan, despite his initial fears, decides to follow after his partner. As such, the two detectives find themselves infiltrating the place, disguised as nurses. Nonetheless, in the end, all this crafty ruse brings is a near-death meeting with a crazed and paranoid former FBI agent, who seems to truly be of no help to the investigation.

Jim Discovers Hard-Hitting Truths About Joey’s Accident

In contrast to Hayes’ recent endeavor, which unfortunately leads nowhere, Jim ends up having a fairly successful time with Saxton. In the aftermath of the successful meet-up with the Russians, the duo goes out to a bar for some drinks. At the local dive, Saxton runs into some degenerate racists, which inevitably leads to a barfight in which his trusty driver has his back. Naturally, at the end of the night, the crime boss reminisces about other old barfights, including one that came on the heels of a meeting with one Paris Gilferd. This ends up being incredibly crucial information.

Earlier, Hayes and Awan’s forensic approach to Joey’s accident had revealed that industrial-grade C4 was used to blow up his car, despite what the police report says. Once Jim learns about the same, he decides to do some digging of his own and learns that there is only one supplier of that explosive, Paris Gilferd. Fortunately for him, his father happens to have her contact information safely tucked away in his Rolodex. Once Jim realizes that Saxton met with the woman, he decides to test out his hunch by giving Paris a phone call. On the call, he tells her that Saxton requires the same C4 that he used for the “Joey Ellis job.”

As a result, Paris’ compliance with the claim confirms the crime boss’ connection to the murder. Thus, the driver finally has the confirmation he needs that Saxton is truly behind the murder of his brother. Furthermore, Jim is willing to share that information, and more, with the FBI Agent on his speed dial. Even though Hayes’ most recent stunt has put her in hot water with her boss, Nathan has decided to give her one final chance on account of the fact that his wife seems to be genuinely rooting for Hayes. Therefore, it seems the duo’s partnership is finally about to bear some tangible fruit in the case against Saxton.