Duster Episode 4 Recap: Longitudes, Latitudes, and a Lincoln

In episode 4, ‘Duster,’ the 1970s-set HBO show about cars and crime, finds its dual protagonists, Jim Ellis and Nina Hayes, in distinct new pickles. The FBI agent’s wily visit to a retiree who was departmentally off-limits creates new problems for her and her partner, Awan. Nonetheless, all hope isn’t lost, especially once the duo cracks Breen’s cryptic code, which leads them toward a shiny, new lead. Inversely, the getaway driver, who is putting his life on the line to sniff out the truth about his brother’s death, isn’t quite so lucky. The consequences of previous desperate actions catch up to Jim, and a dangerous adversary threatens to knock on his door. Therefore, as the reluctant partners in crime-solving work toward untangling their own messes, they arrive at vastly different climaxes. SPOILERS AHEAD!

Breen’s Clue Leads Hayes and Awan to the Navajo Nation Reservation

The last time Hayes broke the rules in the name of her investigation, it almost ended her career. Even though she lucks out, thanks to her boss’ insistent wife, the aftershocks of her break-in at the mental health facility inevitably arrive. As it turns out, Breen committed suicide the morning after the FBI Agents’ surprise visit. Thus, if the news gets out that Hayes went over Nathan’s head to see the man and got away with it scotch-free, both their jobs could be on the line. Consequently, she needs to find an effective lead soon before the arrival of a higher-up at the Phoenix office. In the end, the answer comes to her after a brainstorming session with Awan. During her tense meeting with Breen, which involved a knife to her throat, the retired agent had mentioned something about following the numbers.

Initially, Hayes assumes it meant nothing more than the blabberings of an unstable man. However, Awan points out the cryptic dates on the empty folders that once housed Breen’s missing files. These numbers turn out to be coordinates, way into the Navajo Nation Reservation area. Despite Awan’s reluctance to return to the reservations, he accompanies his partner for the ride. The trip ends up being worth their while as it reveals an intriguing tape hidden in the trunk of a wrecked car. Eventually, this investigative visit also compels the agent to reveal his complicated history with his father, who cut him off for his decision to join the Bureau. Consequently, he and Hayes also find the opportunity to bond over their thorny backstories.

Mad Raul Sends Enrique the Blade After Jim

When Jim first came onto Hayes’ radar, he attempted to resist becoming her informant by skipping town. In order to do so, he signed up with Mad Raul, a feared gangster from the South. Eventually, his perspective changed when he started considering the real possibility that Saxton may have been involved in Joey’s death. As a result, he overlooked the agreement he had signed with Raul to continue his gig as a driver for his current mob boss. Naturally, this didn’t sit well with the other man. As such, he sends his best assassin, Enrique the Blade, after Jim.

When Jim attempts to recruit Hayes’ help to deal with the situation, he’s sorely reminded of the fact that she can only provide official help to him if he gathers substantial evidence for her against Saxton. Thus, he sets out on a mission to gather some dirt on his boss. This turns out to be easier than expected, thanks to the Ellis family’s close bond with Saxton. As a result, Jim is soon driving down to a warehouse in Scottsdale with Royce. At the location, he swiftly manages to pocket copies of the shipping manifests with a charming smile and slippery hands. However, the real trouble arrives when he accompanies Royce to a joyride in Howard Huges’ coveted Lincoln. As the young heir burns his car out with his lead foot, the duo is forced to make a pitstop at a nearby gas station. Unfortunately for Jim, Enrique seems to have tracked him down to the same shop in the middle of nowhere.

Jim Loses the Lincoln and Hayes Discovers a Clue

In the inevitable fight that breaks out between Jim and Enrique in the backroom of the gas station, both fight with no holds barred. Walls are broken, blood is drawn, and fire extinguishers are triggered. Yet, eventually, both agree for a moment of respite when they find themselves bruised and blue and within access distance of a bottle of wine. Consequently, the two get to talking, and Jim uses his universal charm to establish a rapport with the man who was sent to kill him. He appeals to Enrique’s sensibilities as a hired hand who is perpetually stuck in a dead-end job as an assassin with no hopes of climbing the ladder.

Thus, Jim offers him a deal: Royce’s Lincoln in exchange for his life. If Enrique takes the expensive car to his boss, he is bound to gain Mad Raul’s favor. As such, he can walk away with the car, and the driver can walk away with his life, making it a win-win situation. Alas, only one problem remains. Two men in ski masks seem to have already robbed Royce of his sweet ride. Therefore, the driver and the assassin team up and chase down the robbers to kill them and secure the car for themselves. In the end, Jim trades his boss’ prized possession away to save his life. Meanwhile, Hayes and Awan go through Breen’s patchy tape recordings and uncover a breakthrough connection between Saxton and a mystery man named Xavier.