What is the plot?

The episode opens with Jim Ellis in the desert near Phoenix, attempting to bury a body. As he digs, his shovel breaks, complicating the task. Suddenly, a car approaches, and Jim pulls out his pistol, preparing for a confrontation. The scene then flashes back 15 hours earlier to show the events leading up to this moment.

Earlier, Jim grudgingly agrees to work with Nina, an FBI agent investigating the death of Jim's brother and the larger criminal syndicate led by Saxton. Nina is partnered with Awan, and they begin digging into the case, focusing on uncovering evidence that has been buried or covered up. They visit Sgt. Groomes, who took the original report on the explosion that killed Jim's brother. Groomes suggests that Nina's predecessor may have altered or suppressed evidence. Nina wants to pursue this lead further, including speaking to the widow of the predecessor, but her boss warns her to drop the matter. Nina ignores this warning, which causes tension with the widow.

Meanwhile, Jim is dealing with a corrupt cop who is blackmailing him. This forces Jim to make a deal with a dangerous fixer to protect himself and advance his plan to take down the corrupt elements connected to Saxton's crew. The details of this deal and the interactions with the corrupt cop unfold as Jim maneuvers carefully to avoid being trapped.

Back with Nina and Awan, they decide to break into an impound yard to collect their own evidence, showing their growing trust and partnership. Nina opens up to Awan about her father, emphasizing the need for honesty between them if they are to achieve justice. Their break-in is tense but successful in gathering some materials that might help their investigation.

Throughout the episode, Nina is watched by a shadowy figure in Washington, D.C., indicating that her investigation is attracting attention from powerful and possibly dangerous people.

The episode returns to the desert scene where Jim is still struggling to bury the body. The approaching car's occupant is revealed, leading to a confrontation that is tense but does not escalate into violence immediately. Jim's careful handling of this encounter shows his experience and determination.

The episode ends with Jim and Nina both facing mounting pressure from their respective challenges--Jim from the corrupt cop and dangerous fixer, Nina from internal FBI resistance and external surveillance--setting the stage for their continued collaboration and the unfolding of the larger conspiracy.

What is the ending?

At the end of Duster season 1, episode 2, titled "Suspicious Minds," Jim and his father Wade are seen burying a body in the desert. This tense moment is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious political figure, setting the stage for further intrigue. Meanwhile, the corrupt cop Sgt. Groomes is shot and killed during a violent confrontation involving the gangster Sunglasses and his partner Charlie, who also dies. Jim's undercover status is threatened as Groomes had been investigating him. Nina, the FBI agent working with Jim, continues her own investigation into Jim's brother's death, facing obstacles and resistance from her superiors. The episode closes with Nina and her partner Awan breaking into an impound yard to gather evidence, while a shadowy figure in Washington D.C. watches Nina's moves closely.


The episode opens with Jim and his father Wade in the desert, struggling to bury a body. Jim's shovel breaks, adding to the tension, and just as another car approaches, the scene cuts to a flashback 15 hours earlier. This opening sets a grim and suspenseful tone.

The narrative then follows Jim as he navigates his dangerous new role as an undercover informant for FBI agent Nina Hayes. Jim is tasked with retrieving Elvis Presley's famous blue suede shoes, a key bargaining chip to gain the trust of the gangster Sunglasses. Jim travels to a house party in Palm Springs to secure the shoes, a mission that underscores his deepening involvement in the criminal underworld.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Groomes, a corrupt Phoenix cop, is under pressure from Sunglasses, who is enforcing his own violent brand of justice. The situation escalates quickly when Groomes confronts Jim after seeing him with Nina, suspecting Jim's undercover activities. This confrontation culminates in a shootout where Groomes is shot and killed, but not before he kills Charlie, Sunglasses's partner. Sunglasses then kills Groomes with two more bullets, eliminating the threat.

Parallel to Jim's storyline, Nina is pursuing her own investigation into the death of Jim's brother. She works closely with her partner Awan, and they uncover evidence suggesting a cover-up involving Nina's predecessor. Despite warnings from her boss to drop the lead, Nina persists, even alienating the widow of a key figure in the case. Nina and Awan's decision to break into an impound yard to collect evidence marks a bold step in their quest for justice. Nina also shares personal truths with Awan, building trust between them as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

The episode ends with Jim and Wade back in the desert, finishing the burial of the body. Their grim task is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious political character, hinting at larger forces at play. Simultaneously, Nina's investigation draws the attention of a shadowy figure in Washington D.C., who watches her every move, suggesting that her pursuit of the truth is being closely monitored and possibly threatened.

Fates of main characters at episode's end:

  • Jim: Deeply entangled in dangerous criminal dealings, his undercover status is precarious after Groomes's death. He remains committed to his mission but faces increasing threats.
  • Wade (Jim's father): Assists Jim in burying the body, indicating his complicity or involvement in the darker aspects of Jim's world.
  • Sgt. Groomes: Dead, killed in a violent shootout involving Sunglasses and Charlie.
  • Charlie (Sunglasses's partner): Also dead, killed by Groomes during the confrontation.
  • Sunglasses: Survives the shootout, asserting his violent control over the situation.
  • Nina: Continues her FBI investigation despite internal resistance, taking risks to uncover the truth about Jim's brother's death.
  • Awan: Nina's trusted partner, working closely with her to gather evidence.
  • Mysterious political figure: Introduced at the end, their role is unclear but suggests looming political intrigue.

This detailed sequence of events highlights the escalating danger surrounding Jim and Nina, the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality, and the complex web of personal and political conflicts driving the story forward.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The TV show Duster, Season 1, Episode 2 titled "Suspicious Minds" (2025), does not have a post-credit scene. The episode ends with Jim Ellis burying the body of Sunglasses, a crime enforcer he was forced to kill in self-defense after a deal went wrong. This burial scene serves as the closing moment of the episode, with no additional scenes after the credits.

The episode's final moments focus on the consequences of Jim's actions, including the tense aftermath of his deal with Sunglasses and the ongoing threat from corrupt figures like Sgt. Groomes. There is no indication or mention in available sources of a post-credit scene or extra footage following the credits in this episode.

What is Jim doing at the beginning of episode 2?

At the beginning of episode 2, Jim Ellis is trying to bury a body in the desert. However, his shovel breaks, and another car approaches, putting him in a precarious situation.

How does Nina's investigation progress in episode 2?

Nina continues her investigation by looking into the death of Jim's brother. She and her partner, Awan, decide to break into an impound yard to gather evidence. They also speak with Sgt. Groomes, who suggests that Nina's predecessor might have covered up evidence.

What challenges does Jim face in episode 2?

Jim faces challenges as he is blackmailed by a corrupt cop, forcing him to make a deal with a dangerous fixer. This situation complicates his efforts to work with Nina and take down Saxton's crew.

Who is watching Nina's moves in episode 2?

A shadowy figure in Washington, D.C. is monitoring Nina's actions as she uncovers buried FBI secrets.

What personal revelation does Nina share with Awan in episode 2?

Nina opens up to Awan about her father, sharing the truth with him. This moment of vulnerability is crucial for building trust between them as they work together to seek justice.

Is this family friendly?

The TV show "Duster," Season 1, Episode 2 ("Suspicious Minds"), is rated TV-MA in the United States, indicating it is intended for mature audiences and is not family-friendly for children or sensitive viewers. The episode contains moderate levels of sex and nudity (including female cleavage but no full nudity), moderate violence and gore, moderate profanity, moderate alcohol, drug, and smoking use, and moderate frightening and intense scenes.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive people include:

  • Scenes with violence and crime-related action that are more than mild in intensity.
  • Sexual content limited to cleavage exposure.
  • Use of strong language and profane words.
  • Depictions of alcohol consumption, drug use, and smoking.
  • Moments that may be frightening or intense due to the crime drama and thriller elements.

Overall, the show is a crime drama with action and mature themes set in the 1970s, making it unsuitable for younger viewers or those sensitive to moderate adult content.