Last week concluded with Nina (Rachel Hilson) and Jim (Josh Holloway) facing an uphill battle. The question looming over us was: how would they navigate their way out of this predicament? This week's episode presented us with precisely that challenge. Let's delve into the thrilling events of Duster, season 1, episode 5, and witness their fortunes.
As previously stated, Nina and Jim find themselves in a precarious situation. Nina's supervisor is less than pleased with her recent endeavors, which unfortunately culminated in the demise of a former agent. Despite this, she reveals that she's on the brink of establishing a crucial connection with Saxton (Keith David), who stands on the verge of a lucrative deal. She has been given a mere 48 hours to pull it off.
Meanwhile, Jim finds himself in hot water with Saxton. He had given away the Howard Hughes car to save his own skin, but now he can't come clean about it. Instead, it appears as though he's botched a significant assignment, leading Saxton to terminate his employment. This places Jim in an extremely difficult position all around.
When Nina and Jim converge, she confides in him that she needs an introduction to Saxton. He, in turn, shares his plight of being fired. She urges him to leverage his father's connections to regain his footing, but Jim is reluctant. He eventually confides in his father (Corbin Bernsen), expressing his belief that Saxton had his brother killed. However, Jim's father is hesitant to believe him and refuses to assist Nina.
As Jim imparts the news, he finds encouragement flowing from her lips, urging him to devise a path back into the fold. Meanwhile, Nina takes matters into her own capable hands. She ventures to Jim’s father, whose heart has undergone a transformation. Moved by her plea, he decides to lend a helping hand and orchestrates an introduction. Concurrently, Awan (Asivak Koostachin) orchestrates a cover for Nina, smoothly inserting her into the role of Saxton’s new Russian Interpreter.
Nina’s encounter with Saxton proves fruitful. Her adept skills come to the fore, and as Nina St. James, she secures a place on Saxton’s team amidst the impending major deal. However, the question lingers: Will Jim also be part of this venture?
Jim forges a connection with Saxton’s daughter, Genesis (Sydney Elisabeth), who is grappling with personal turmoil. Her lover, Dafne (Nicole Zyana), stands on the brink of matrimony. Her father, Greek Sal (Jack Topalian), a formidable adversary of Saxton’s, is using his daughter’s wedding as a pawn to seal a colossal shipping deal. Yet, Genesis vehemently opposes this union. Jim emboldens her to attend the wedding and make a bold move.
At the wedding, Jim employs his unique talents to stage a diversion. Genesis slips in unnoticed and reconnects with Dafne, persuading her to abandon the nuptials. Jim then orchestrates their escape, not only salvaging Genesis’ relationship but also earning brownie points with her father by scuttling a lucrative deal for Greek Sal. Genesis credits Jim for her success, asserting she couldn’t have pulled it off without him.
Saxton acknowledges Jim’s worth. His assistance to Genesis serves as a testament to his unwavering loyalty and invaluable contributions, precisely what Saxton requires amidst the impending deal. He welcomes Jim back into the circle, introducing him to his new interpreter, Nina St. James. The game is now afoot, with tensions rising and stakes soaring.
As Nina and Jim diligently strive to propel their respective missions forward, they find themselves increasingly exposed to the perils of loss and lurking dangers. For Jim, the poignant realization dawns that his aspiration of playing a more prominent role in his daughter Luna's (portrayed by Adriana Aluna Martinez) life is slowly dimming. It's Independence Day, a night he had promised to share with Luna, watching fireworks light up the sky. Yet, duty calls as he assists Genesis, compelling him to break that cherished promise.
Arriving just in time at the gathering, Jim catches a glimpse of Luna, surrounded by Izzy (played by Camille Guaty) and her beau, David (Matt Lauria). They form a tableau of a blissful family unit, the very vision Jim yearns for yet knows he cannot fully attain. His time with Saxton pulls him one way, while his heart yearns to be with Izzy and Luna another.
Nina, too, confronts threats that loom large and personal. It transpires that Agent Breen (Bryan Michael French) was being poisoned, a sinister plot to sideline him. As Nina inches closer to uncovering Saxton's clandestine operations, she too finds herself ensnared in danger's web. Enter The Cowboy (J.R. Yenque), dispatched with the ominous task of sabotaging her efforts. Worse still, he has an accomplice within: Agent Grant (Dan Tracy), who poses not merely as an irritation but as a formidable adversary actively working against her.
The narrative gathers steam, finally hurtling towards a climactic crescendo. With Nina operating undercover and Jim back in Saxton's favor, the unfolding deal promises intrigue and unpredictability. Yet, shadows of peril loom over both. Why are those within the government's corridors—indeed, within the very ranks of the FBI—bent on shielding Saxton? And what cryptic connection does this week's cold open, featuring President Richard Nixon, hold to the unfolding saga? As we venture into the season's homestretch, curiosity piques, eager to witness where this intricate tapestry will ultimately lead.
