The first sequence begins with FBI Agent Nina Hayes, fresh out of Quantico in 1972, assigning herself to the case of Phoenix crime lord Ezra Saxton. She identifies Jim Ellis, a reluctant getaway driver for Saxton, as a key target to bring down the syndicate. Nina begins surveillance and investigation into Saxton's operations, focusing on Jim's movements and connections.

Jim Ellis, meanwhile, is shown living a cautious life, aware of the dangers surrounding him. He is reluctant to be involved but is drawn deeper into the conflict as he plots to take down a corrupt cop who is part of the criminal network. Jim's motivations are personal and complex, and he starts gathering evidence that supports Nina's suspicions about Saxton's criminal activities.

Nina and her partner Awan Bitsui pursue leads that take them to a troubled former FBI agent in a sanitarium. This agent holds secrets about the FBI's involvement and corruption linked to Saxton's organization. Nina uncovers buried FBI secrets, revealing a shadowy conspiracy that extends beyond Phoenix, with a mysterious figure in Washington D.C. watching her every move.

Jim learns he is being targeted by an assassin sent to eliminate him. While on a high-stakes delivery with Royce Saxton, Ezra's son, Jim and Royce are ambushed by rogue thieves. The confrontation is tense and violent, with Jim narrowly escaping death. This event deepens the stakes and forces Jim to reconsider his position in the criminal underworld.

Nina and Awan trace a cryptic message to an unexpected location, which leads them closer to the heart of the conspiracy. Their investigation reveals that the corruption within the FBI is more extensive than initially thought, involving high-level officials and secret operations.

Jim's personal life is complicated by his relationship with Izzy Reyna, who is fighting for union rights while secretly battling cancer. Izzy's illness and her fight for insurance coverage add emotional weight to Jim's decisions. She insists that Jim stay for her and her daughter Luna, which he agrees to, showing his commitment despite the danger.

As the investigation intensifies, Nina attempts to resign, believing her job is done with Saxton's case closed. However, Agent Nathan Abbott, her superior, refuses to let her go. He reveals he is working on a larger operation targeting a mysterious figure named Xavier and convinces Nina to stay involved.

Jim tries to leave the dangerous world behind but is stopped by Izzy's plea and the unfolding events. He agrees to stay and help Nina with the new task force aimed at finding Xavier. Nina reveals a shocking truth: Joey, Jim's brother, who was believed dead, is actually alive and is Xavier. Saxton had helped Joey disappear to protect him.

The season ends with Jim and Nina united in their new mission to uncover Xavier's identity and the deeper FBI conspiracy. The revelation about Joey/Xavier sets up a new, larger conflict involving political intrigue, including references to President Richard Nixon and secret recordings, hinting at future storylines.

Throughout the season, the narrative unfolds in a strict chronological order, with each episode building on the last through detailed investigations, confrontations, and personal struggles. The final episode, titled "'66 Reno Split," ties together the major plot points and leaves the story open-ended for potential continuation, focusing on the hunt for Xavier and the unresolved mysteries surrounding the FBI corruption and Phoenix's criminal underworld.

The ending of Duster Season 1 reveals that Jim's brother Joey, believed dead, is actually alive and living under the alias Xavier. Nina and Jim both decide to stay involved in the FBI's ongoing investigation, which now targets Xavier, who is deeply connected to a larger conspiracy. Jim stays to support Izzy, who is battling cancer, and the season closes with the promise of a continuing story centered on this new revelation.

In the final episode of Duster Season 1, the story unfolds with Nina Hayes recalling a traumatic memory from her childhood: she witnessed Ezra Saxton threaten her father, who later died in a blast. This memory fuels her determination to bring Saxton to justice. As the episode progresses, Nina and Jim Ellis close in on Saxton, but the investigation reveals deeper layers of conspiracy.

Nina attempts to resign, feeling her mission is complete, but her superior, Agent Abbott, insists she stay. He reveals a larger operation targeting a mysterious figure named Xavier, who is connected to high-level corruption and the infamous Richard Nixon tapes. Abbott convinces Nina that her work is not done.

Meanwhile, Jim tries to leave but is stopped by Izzy Reyna, who is celebrating a union victory. Izzy reveals she has cancer and needs Jim to stay for her and her daughter Luna's sake. Jim agrees, though he has not yet told Luna that he is her biological father, not her uncle.

The climax reveals the biggest twist: Joey, Jim's brother, is not dead. Saxton helped him disappear, and Joey is living under the alias Xavier. Xavier is orchestrating the FBI conspiracy cover-up and has powerful connections in Washington, D.C. This revelation shocks Jim and Nina, setting up a new, larger conflict.

The season ends with Nina and Jim united in their new mission to find Xavier, with Jim committed to staying for Izzy and Luna. The story closes on this cliffhanger, leaving the fate of the characters open but clearly pointing toward a continuation of the struggle against corruption and family secrets.

Fates of main characters at the end:

• Jim Ellis: Decides to stay, supporting Izzy and Luna, and joins Nina in the new task force to find Xavier.
• Nina Hayes: Remains with the FBI, convinced to continue the fight against the larger conspiracy involving Xavier.
• Izzy Reyna: Battling cancer but victorious in a union fight; depends on Jim for support.
• Joey Ellis/Xavier: Revealed alive and deeply involved in a high-level conspiracy, his true role and intentions remain a mystery.
• Agent Abbott: Continues to push the investigation forward, focusing on Xavier.

The season closes with unresolved tensions and a major revelation, emphasizing themes of loyalty, hidden truths, and the complexity of justice.

Yes, the TV show "Duster" Season 1 (2025) does have a post-credit scene. At the end of the finale episode titled "'66 Reno Split," the valuable tape of Richard Nixon ends up in the hands of Mad Raoul. This tape was initially secured by Saxton from Greek Sal in exchange for Jim, with the intention of bringing it back to Xavier, Jim's brother. However, it is unclear what Xavier planned to do with the tape. The scene hints at further intrigue involving the Nixon tape, which ties into the Watergate scandal setting of the show and sets up potential storylines for the next season.

Nina Hayes, played by Rachel Hilson, faces significant challenges as the first Black female FBI agent in the 1970s. She encounters belittling from her white male colleagues but finds support in her partnership with Awan, a Navajo nation-based agent. Despite these obstacles, she remains driven and works outside the law to pursue her goals, including teaming up with Jim Ellis to take down a crime syndicate.

Jim Ellis, played by Josh Holloway, is a loyal employee of Ezra Saxton, the boss of a crime syndicate. However, his loyalty is frequently tested as he becomes involved in Nina Hayes's investigation. Jim's missions for Saxton often involve dangerous assignments, which challenge his allegiance and moral compass.

The show incorporates elements of 1970s pop culture through Jim Ellis's interactions with icons like Colonel Tom Parker and Adrienne Barbeau. Additionally, the series features a cartoonish and stylized approach, including an animated dream sequence where Jim imagines himself in a Looney Tunes cartoon.

Nina Hayes has a personal motivation for taking down Ezra Saxton, as she believes he was involved in her father's death. This personal vendetta drives her actions and decisions throughout the series, often leading her to work outside the boundaries of the law.

The show balances its stylized and grounded elements by maintaining a detailed production quality, including lighting, costume design, and soundtrack. It captures a stylized atmosphere reminiscent of 70s crime noir while keeping the story grounded and engaging. The series combines comedic timing with suspenseful plotlines, making it both fresh and familiar.

The TV show Duster (Season 1, 2025) is not family friendly and is rated TV-MA in the United States, indicating it is intended for mature audiences.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting content includes:

• Moderate sexual content and nudity, including female nudity and cleavage, but no full nudity.
• Moderate violence and gore, with some intense and not mild violent scenes.
• Moderate profanity throughout the series.
• Moderate depiction of alcohol, drug use, and smoking.
• Moderate frightening and intense scenes that may be unsettling for sensitive viewers.

Given these elements, Duster contains mature themes and scenes typical of a 1970s crime thriller, including confrontations and crime-related violence, which may not be suitable for children or sensitive individuals.