Iron Sky – As the episode opens, Chief Steve Park (Rob Yang) and Maya Park (Sara Lindsey) work on models of Main Street Bar and Del Harris’ (Jeff Daniels) cabin. He questions what happened to the rest of the buckshot. He relocates Harris’ figure to a different area of the cabin. Elsewhere, Grace Poe (Maura Tierney) watches the Landwell Energy drilling teamwork.

Harris and Detective Angela Burgos (Luna Lauren Valez) ask Marta Canter (Kelli Simpkins) if she is familiar with Liam McKenna’s murder. They accuse her of having an affair with Liam’s wife, Nell McKenna. Marta denies any connection to Liam’s death and claims her affair with Nell has been ongoing for over a year. She says Liam and Nell were great parents to Lily McKenna and they never had money issues.

Sue Herlitz (Emily Davis) aims for State Attorney General and then Governor after she is reelected. Grace takes a set in the auditorium as Sue prepares for her speech.

Lee English (Julia Mayorga) visits the Westmoreland Clerk’s office to request county water testing data for the last 20 years. The clerk (Kathleen Regan) declines to comply until Lee threatens to call the State Attorney General. Several names are marked off the list. Utilizing a black powder, Lee revives the name, Howland but the #00064 A2LA Certificate is missing.

Harvard Law graduate, Ron Gossage (Mark Junek) is running against Sue for Fayette County District Attorney. He promises to make the county’s opioid problem his personal mission. Russell Wolfe (Christopher Denham) and Grace are in the audience. Sue says Gossage is affiliated with Landwell Energy and claims to put the people of Fayette County first. Grabbing the microphone, Grace tells the attendees how Sue sent Billy Poe (Alex Neustaedter) to prison where he was nearly beaten to death, and offered him a measly settlement. Sue accuses Grace of being in Landwell Energy’s pocket. The attendees chant Sue…..

Harris tells Angela that he resigned from the Pittsburgh Police Department because he missed West Virginia. She asks his opinion of Vic Walker (Marc Menchaca). He says Vic has not changed much and is a decent cop. She claims Vic beats Cynthia Frazier (Britian Seibert). He denies any knowledge of Vic’s abusiveness. She is contemplating filing a complaint with Internal Affairs “IA.” He warns of the red tape and time delay when dealing with IA. He says IA is still coming after him for Chuck Castellanos’ death. She shows him a photo of Chuck and a deceased man that was on Cynthia’s phone. He vows to support her.

Snarklys Bar – Sue and Assistant DA Ramona Paltz (Melissa Rakiro) order drinks to celebrate their successful debate. Virgil Poe (Mark Pellegrino) says their drinks are on the house and do not forget it when she is reelected. The patrons cheer as Sue sings karaoke and provocatively dances. Later, she is pulled over by someone driving a police cruiser. She rolls down her window. Shining a bright light in her eyes, the individual shoots her. The next morning, Steve finds her deceased in her car. She appears to have been shot in the neck.

Lee compliments Rinna Bransford (Amelia Workman) for her work on the Howland’s deposition. Elsewhere, Isaac English (David Alvarez) coaches Billy as he works out. Refusing to utilize the case, Billy grabs the barbell to pull himself up but loses his balance. Isaac catches him. On his feet, Billy looks down to see he has an erection. Isaac assures him that it is all right before rushing off to get ready for work. Later, Billy and Grace are having lunch when Lanie Rankin (Darla Robinson) approaches and asks about the Landwell contract that she, Lucy (Jama Williamson), and Drew (Matt Hopkins) signed. Grace declines to review Lanie’s Landwell contract until she is offered cash. She splits the money with Billy when a new report about Sue’s murder flashes across the TV. Steve enters the diner and stares at them.

Harris enters the locker room as Vic is trying to convince Mike Orr (Nick Sandow) to do a job in Erie. Mike warns against doing it now before walking away. Vic punches the locker. Harris invites him to Buell to hang out and deer hunt. Vic accepts his offer. Chief Bolt (Leon Addison Brown) tells Harris that the Mayor is pressing for a suspect in the mail-bomb murder. He orders Harris and Angela to find the killer. A short time later, they are knocking on Bruce McKenna’s (Charles David Richards) door. Bruce says Nell is out. Lily McKenna (Olivia Mulder) says she is in the backyard. Harris and Angela race through the house and outside as Nell is backing out of the garage. Harris approaches from behind with his firearm drawn.

Angela asks Cynthia if it is common for Vic to take her bank card. Cynthia claims he does not utilize a lot of her money and will return it in a few days. Angela offers her the guest room at her house. Cynthia says they have been doing good for the last few days. Pointing out her swollen lip, Angela pleads with her to go to IA but she refuses. Vic is staying with Harris and Grace at the cabin in West Virginia.

Russell tells Isaac what he likes about him. They kiss. Isaac explains why he never went to college and talks about his father, Henry English’s accident and suicide. He says his mother drowned in the Mon River but it may have not been an accident. Russell apologizes for what he has been through. Russell questions how his father, Herschel Wolff would feel about their relationship. Isaac agrees to keep their relationship private for a while.

Angela tells Ramon Risher (Kyle Beltran) about Vic and Cynthia’s abusive relationship. She says Vic sends Cynthia photos of dead bodies. He asks if she can identify any of the victims in the photos. She shows him photos of a battered Cynthia. Elsewhere, Vic explains his and Cynthia’s first encounter which he describes as “love at first sight.” He claims to be working on his temper. Grace gives him a business card if he ever wants to talk about it. Vic tells Harris that he does not like Ramon and wants to teach him a lesson by hanging him upside down, pulling his pants down, and throwing darts at his butt. Harris laughs while looking at Grace.

Lee comes on to Billy while they watch TV. Isaac and Russell arrive. After a bit of chit-chat, they go upstairs. Later, Lee wakes up to find Billy standing beside the best with a wrench in his hand. She screams his name but he does not move. Isaac races him and takes him down. Billy asks what is going on.

Harris says Ramon has veto power and tomorrow is a big day. Grace assures him that Vic will talk about it. She is switching out Vic’s lighter when he grabs her hand, places it on his private, and asks her to say she wants it. When she says it, he releases her hand and she returns to her bedroom.

Steve studies the models of Harris’ house and the Main Street Bar. Maya places a model of Sue’s car on the table. He gets a closer look to see a figure resembling a deceased Sue in the driver’s seat. He receives a video of Grace threatening Sue. The episode ends.

 

American Rust: Broken Justice Review

Sue’s death may very well change the course of Steve and Maya’s investigation. Hannah Geddy (Rae Gray) sends them a video of Grace threatening Sue after Billy’s hearing.

Harris and Grace plot to get Vic to talk about the Brotherhood. Failing to convince Cynthia to file an IA complaint against Vic, Angela reaches out to Ramon who is also part of the Brotherhood.

Sue believes she is one step closer to being reelected when someone kills her. Like the other victims, she is shot in the neck. Lee learns the Howland A2LA Certificate for a county water test is missing. Billy resists Lee’s advances.

Russell likes Isaac but fears what his wealthy father would think if he found out. He agrees to meet Billy and Lee.

 

The plot continues to deepen as new subplots and side stories are added. At this rate, there will never be a conclusion. The screenwriter implies that West Virginians turn a blind eye to domestic violence. While discussing Vic and Cynthia’s domestic violence, Angela says, “I know this sh*t is deeply ingrained in the culture, and for people, it’s okay to sit back and say nothing but that’s not me.”

 

The episode deserves a 4.5 out of 10. Get more American Rust recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss new and classic movies and TV series, sports, crime, and more.