“Daphne and Genesis are true love! You fools!” exclaimed defiantly amidst the chaos of gunfire. Both he and Jim Ellis have suffered injuries, yet Greek Sal’s henchmen relentlessly continue their assault. In the film Duster, this moment serves to highlight Billy’s, Ezra Saxton’s chief enforcer, egalitarian outlook. Billy thrives on roughing people up and demanding their gratitude in return. During this intense shootout, he harbors doubts about Sax’s translator’s true identity, which are completely justified. It’s commendable how Duster briefly portrays a mid-level thug embracing the universal concept of love. The impact of this line owes much to Evan Jones, an actor renowned for his intensity tinged with humor, memorable as Cheddar Bob in 8 Mile, and Bosco in Den of Thieves. The combination of Jones’s performance and savvy writing elevates the tension during this hectic shootout, perfectly underscored by James Brown’s “The Big Payback”—Duster consistently delivers with adrenaline-packed flair.

When rival gunmen disrupted Saxton’s pivotal meeting with the Russians, everything seemed to be on track. Nina, undercover with the FBI, exuded confidence akin to Mannix. Appearing striking as “Nina St. James,” clad in black leather, she cleverly manipulated Sax, gaining his trust. “Translate what they’re saying,” he requested, hinting that he also needed insight into “what they ain’t saying.” Nina captivated Sax’s Russian counterpart by matching his bold “Bolshevik John Wayne” persona with her distinctive candor, effortlessly conducting the conversation in fluent Russian.

As the situation escalated, Nina seamlessly collaborated with Jim in a display of resourcefulness. Royce Saxton anticipated the meeting, eager to prove his worth as his father’s successor. However, Royce’s medication clashed with the Russian’s vodka toasts, triggering his panic, which Nina and Jim skillfully alleviated. Ezra Saxton maintained his standing, exchanged his suitcase full of cash for a sophisticated metal case—details to be revealed shortly—and concluded the highly anticipated deal with confident handshakes. This success was abruptly interrupted by Sal’s henchmen, seeking vengeance over Genesis and Daphne’s broken engagement, aiming to seize the enigmatic underworld cargo.

“You wanna be Newman or Redford?” Jim asked Nina. Remember, in Duster, it’s The ’70s: On TV. Which means that, when caught in a tight spot, a wheelman would certainly ask a federal agent which outlaw leading man she’d want to emulate from the 1969 Oscar winner Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The unlikely partners break from cover with guns blazing, just like Butch and Sundance, and for good measure, when Nina does a somersault, Duster even throws in a Six Million Dollar Man sound effect. Bwa-wa-ca-ca-CA-CHA-CA-CWA! Royce, utterly smitten with Nina, the translator-turned-gunslinger: “Pam Grier, eat your fucking heart out.”   

We still don’t know what’s in the case. We don’t know the nature of this commodity that Saxton has invested time and resources in procuring. At the meet, the sequence is carefully shot to show us everybody on both sides looking at whatever’s in there, but not sharing it with the audience. But whether it’s a byproduct of the Russian guy’s Bolshevik John Wayne shit, or a key piece of what Sax is building, he seemed happy with its reception. Even drove off in triumph before the gunfight even started. 

And that quick line from Billy – “Daphne and Genesis are true love!” – also further illustrates the familial nature of Saxton’s management structure. A structure Jim, in working ever more closely with Nina, is actively discounting. (Not to mention his belief, now shared with Wade, that Sax put the hit out on Joey.) The situation was already messy. But it seems like it’s about to get downright stinky, because after they escape the shootout, as Nina treats Jim’s minor bullet graze – they have a moment; he’s shirtless, they’re both attractive single people, this is the 70s on TV… – their reverie is disrupted by a news report chattering from the tube television in Nina’s motel room. 

During the meet with the Russians and the ensuing fracas, Duster was also showing us the escalation of Izzy’s picketing and protest for safe truck stop conditions and fair wages. Iz, with Young Luna by her side, was even interviewed on the local news. The report Jim and Nina see is the same one Bob Temple saw from his office window, which spurred a phone call to Ezra Saxton. Izzy’s public advocacy is making Snowbird’s trucks too visible. And Sax can’t have more scrutiny on his operation, especially now that he’s aggressively expanding. Back at his mansion, the boss’s word to Billy on Izzy is all business, no family. She is a problem to be fixed.   

Duster: 8-Tracks for Episode 6

James Brown during the shootout, and The Stooges “No Fun” heard cranking out of the Duster’s dash, matching its roar: these tracks are avowed classics. But there are some absolute deep cut rippers in this Episode 6 of Duster, too! Imagine the links below as 8-track tapes scattered on the back seat of Jim’s ride:  

Johnny Loftus (@johnnyloftus.bsky.social) is a Chicago-based writer. A veteran of the alternative weekly trenches, his work has also appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork, The All Music Guide, and The Village Voice.