‘American Rust: Broken Justice’ Recap – ‘Homecoming’

3/31/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jeff Daniels as Del Harris in Episode 201 of ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’ – ‘Homecoming’. (Photo Courtesy of Dennis Mong/Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’.

One particular question that we often ask when we’re entering a wondrous new chapter in our lives or leaving a tough one behind… is what comes next? Because we are oft quite curious what that new chapter will hold, and those uglier days usually involve a measure of healing, and a measure of discovery. So, we ponder upon the lessons we learned and how they will serve us best in our brighter tomorrow. But what’s fascinating, is that we don’t ask that question often enough, when it comes to the more… darker moments in our lives. such as what happens after we hurt someone we care for emotionally, as we are wont to do with sour words from fury. Nor do we really ponder upon what comes next after we’ve crossed a lot of lines that caused a lot of damage. But we should. Simply because the next steps after such acts are quite important in nature.

Because they will determine if more trouble is ahead or if we’re on a better path and well, it just so happens that the return of a highly beloved show is going to ponder upon just that at last. For the season two premiere of American Rust: Broken Justice on Prime Video, spends a great deal of time examining what comes next when we’ve done things, we aren’t proud of. A feat that ‘Homecoming’ accomplishes, by catching up with the players from season one, four months after the fatal shootout in West Virginia that Del took part in, and that brings forth… quite the fascinating tale. One that in some ways, takes the time gently reintroduce us to this universe since it’s been a bit since we’ve enjoyed the story but once the re-introductions are out of the way… does the show plunge right into that question through the character’s journeys.

For instance, Billy Poe’s idea of what should come next, was a fresh start. Because he had seen enough horrors in jail and endured enough suffering. So, he was fine with taking a piddly payout from the state to do just that. Since it gave him a cushion and time to decide what tomorrow would look like for him and he wasn’t alone in wanting new starts and freedom. For his own mother had similar thoughts in mind. Because Grace was done with having ties to Virgil and wanted nothing more than quality time with Del without her dead marriage hanging over them. Which informed us that the reset button is essential for a lot of folks that might be coming out something so ugly while others… may want to see that ugly chapter come to the right close. Since new Sheriff of Buell, Steve Park was all about proving that Del and Grace crossed all kinds of lines.

A move that more or less served as a hint of what else we might explore throughout the season and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Since we do love how this show takes the time to let plot threads grow, and by not focusing on that here, it also allowed for us to learn what comes next for Del Harris. Who perhaps had the darkest chapter of all to deal with because of his actions and well, in Del’s mind, the way forward was through atonement and redemption by returning to old haunts to handle unfinished business. Which was why we found him back as a detective with the Pittsburgh Police Department and why he was working with some unexpected allies in this tale. To really do some good in this world and this life to make right what he had taken. Which further hammered home that absolute need for change following some dark and dreary days. To really shed those feelings and emotions that accompany the darkness.

Which is… not exactly the best way to handle such matters, since we all know that self-work and self-accountably are the only real ways to heal. But that’s clearly not a lesson these characters are ready for, and that should bring forth a powerful season of storytelling. One where we get to sit back and watch and see if these characters find what they seek through their aggressive means, or if more dark days and cyclical sorrow await. Which should make for a very realistic story, a place that this show thrives within, and that leaves us eager to continue the journey with a true sense of satisfaction and joy. Because at long last, this beloved series is back on the air and we get to enjoy more powerful stories and more powerful acting, from a different kind of crime drama. One grounded in causality over thrills and chills. Until next time.

To learn more about the character’s journeys in season two, and season two in general, check out our interviews with Executive Producers Dan Futterman and Adam Rapp, cast members, Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney, Alex Neustaedter and Mark Pellegrino, Luna Lauren Velez and Rob Yang, and Julia Mayorga.

Watch ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’

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