‘American Rust: Broken Justice’ Recap – ‘The Hand You’re Dealt’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Julia Mayorga as Lee English in ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’ (Photos Courtesy of Dennis Mong/Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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As we continue our journey through season two of the fascinating Prime Video series, American Rust: Broken Justice, it is becoming inherently clear what this show wants to accomplish in its sophomore season. In that, it wants to deeply reflect upon the challenges we all face in life, and how a group of shattered people respond to them. To offer perspective on the world, and perhaps help us through our own issues, the kind that resembles the struggles of this group, and well… never was this more evident than during the next episode of the show. For ‘The Hand You’re Dealt’ focused deeply upon something we all deal with in life, taking two steps forward… only to be pushed one step back.

Which is what everyone dealt with in this tale. For instance, Billy, Lee, and Isaac sat down to talk about their past, and the return of that damned wrench, not to penalize, but to move forward. Because that’s what Lee recognized needed to happen here. So, everyone made a point to be rid of that godforsaken thing and started to make progress in healing. Which helped Isaac find some stability and unexpected romance during a tough and scary day, while Lee kept making progress on uncovering what was going on at her firm. To the point where she sought advice from Del, and Billy… he started his journey toward serving his country, toward doing something selfless. But of course… those setbacks awaited. Since Isaac continued to struggle with his on again/off again affair with Russell which left him searching still for peace, while Lee battled blowing the whistle because of the possible backlash… while Billy… struggled with worse.

Because he has not resolved the pain inside of him, and that latent PTSD came back to haunt him at the end of this tale, and potentially will jeopardize his standing with Lee… something Isaac was privy to and this was… a fine example of how our own mistakes and journey can put us on a pendulum, which was further explored by Grace’s journey in this tale. Simply because… she thought she was on easy street with an offer on the table to help recruit others to the fracking cause, with big payouts of course. Plus, she helped Del corner a crook and she wasn’t exactly losing any sleep over Sue’s passing. But alas, Chief Park being told consistently that he was barking up the wrong tree and that he made this whole mess appear to be a targeting issue… combined with coming to discover that one of the murders did not involve his chief suspects, pushed him to just send the video of Grace screaming at Sue to the news… to try and make his case.

Which of course, embarrassed Grace to no end, and hammered home… how we are our own worst enemy sometimes and will set ourselves back. Because a lack of that video would have kept her smiling. But of course… sometimes we have no control over setbacks and that was explored via Del’s journey. Because the end of his weekend with Vic was quite fruitful, since Vic was cool with sharing his desires for goals for the Brotherhood, and that likely meant… Del had the whole group dead to rights and could finally wrap this mess up. But alas, Vic’s desire to be an abusive piece of trash, and the fact that his indiscretions made it to Fisher’s desk… prompted a real ominous fate for Vic. For he didn’t show up for the poker party, but Fisher did, and Fisher was the last person to interact with him before the game… leaving all of us to wonder if by chance… Fisher handled some business.

But more importantly, that left the case hanging wide open and set back Del’s plans to bring down the corruption within the Pittsburgh Police Department, and it was totally out of his hands. Which was the perfect way to bring home the life lessons present in this tale, one that has now undoubtedly set the stage for how we respond to those setbacks. Because now Billy must reconcile his pain, and Lee and Virgil must decide what comes next. Not to mention, Grace now must respond to negative press that can harm her new plans and Del, needs a new plan of attack. But while we wait to see that response, we can celebrate another smart and engaging tale from this series. One that truly did offer up great lessons and relatability, the kind that was indeed a humbling reminder that life is indeed what we make it, and even then… sometimes it is just not fair. Until next time.

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