It’s been a while since yours truly has written a review for The Pop Break. This writer spends most energy on The Anniversary Brothers Podcast with my brother, Josh, and usually only returns to writing if asked or the thing features a favorite actor. In the case of Rabbit Hole, the actor was Kiefer Sutherland. For Duster, it’s Josh Holloway.
Josh Holloway is best known as Sawyer from Lost. It’s no surprise then that Duster reunites Holloway with Lost co-creator J.J. Abrams, who co-created Duster with LaToya Morgan. In this new show, Holloway plays a Sawyer-ish rogue with a heart named Jim Ellis. It’s a mode he easily slips back in to.
Despite Josh Holloway getting top billing, if Duster belongs to one character, it’s Nina Hayes (Rachel Hilson, This Is Us). Set in the 1970s, the show establishes that Hayes is breaking ground as a Black woman in the FBI, something met with open racism and sexism. The hostility from Hayes’ coworkers reminds us of Agent Carter. Nina has a poignant scene in which she discusses her troubles with her mother on the phone.
Duster has a noteworthy supporting cast, chiefly Ezra Saxton (Keith David, The Princess and The Frog), who runs the crime organization Nina is gunning to bring down. Saxton doesn’t appear too much in the premiere but will surely be a presence in the coming episodes as Nina closes in. Helping Nina is her colleague Awan Bitsui (Asivak Koostachin, Run Woman Run), who also deals with racism because he’s part Navajo. Other characters include Jim’s sister-in-law Izzy (Camille Guaty, Prison Break) and niece Luna, played by Adriana Aluna Martinez), as well as Sergeant Groomes (Donal Logue, Zodiac).
Duster is doing its best to channel the ’70s vibe with its fashion and music. It’s hard to say whether its use of “Long Cool Woman” by The Hollies is good or on-the-nose, considering it mentions working for the FBI. The music will likely delight those who grew up in this era or are fans of it. In terms of ’70s cars, there is a brief chase featuring the titular Duster, and given how much emphasis the opening titles place on chases, there are more to come.
One detail that’s confusing is Saxton and Jim’s father (Corbin Bernsen, Psych) served in World War II together. It’s unclear whether Jim is supposed to be in the 50s, like Josh Holloway in real life, or younger. Jim’s brother fought in Vietnam. Admittedly, yours truly has never been the best at doing math in my head.
Though the episode itself leaves things in an interesting place, the promo for the rest of the season is more exciting. It looks like the case is more complicated and dangerous than Nina expected.
It’s been too long since Josh Holloway had a major role. Seeing him do what he does best is reason enough to tune in for another seven episodes.
