Critic Reviews

The central investigation takes some wild turns, ending up in a place that feels both unexpected and natural for these characters while setting up a Season 2 that's even bigger in scope, drama, and action. That said, the best part of watching Duster, by far, is simply letting it take you along for the ride.

For now, what this premiere has is vibes—whether that’s slow-mo hallway struts, a mob contract literally signed in blood, or Jim’s classic Sawyer-esque nickname for Nina (“Baltimore.”) Duster isn’t great TV (at least not yet), but it is fun TV.

It works. I like the show as a fun, souped-up ride-along (the title refers to the iconic Plymouth Duster the antihero drives), and enjoyed Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson in the lead roles. The logic of the crime story got away from me a little bit, but it’s hardly essential when the other ingredients include fast cars, faster quips and a lot of acting tough.

Even as the series depicts period-accurate racism directed at Nina and her Native American colleague, Awan (Asivak Koostachin, a standout for his character’s cheerfully innocent disposition), “Duster” isn’t a super-serious show. It’s as playfully madcap as Holloway’s character.

Duster knows exactly what it mainly is, which is a terrific vehicle for Josh Holloway. Rachel Hilson’s chemistry with Holloway is also a win, and sets up a wily criminals-and-cops yarn that delights in period references and music cues and exalts in the kind of car-as-character hero shots that defined a previous TV age.

Although Duster occasionally steps out of its narrative wheelhouse, expanding its mysterious plot with some unnecessary characters that can only be paid off in a potential season 2, it really works when it keeps both eyes on the road. Jim and Nina are clever, engaging, and classically designed with loads of widespread appeal.

In an era where prestige TV often confuses self-seriousness with depth, “Duster” is a reminder that you can still tell smart, satisfying stories with flair, fun and feeling.

Josh Holloway has always seemed tailor-made for superstardom, and fifteen years after the conclusion of his breakout run on Lost, J.J. Abrams gives him the stylish vehicle he deserves with Duster.

Not all of it works (the car chases, which tend to take place on empty streets, aren’t all that memorable) and Season 1 never kicks into fourth gear (it’s fun, but it’s not “Cassian stealing a TIE fighter” fun), but “Duster” gets so many of the little things right, it’s easy to set your quibbles aside and just enjoy the ride.

This is a fun throwback and a return to form for J.J. Abrams.