Duster

The HBO/Max limited series Duster (2025) brings back memories from community college when we had access to the family's1972 yellow Plymouth Duster with the black vinyl roof. This was no jacked-up red cherry Duster roadster as depicted in this limited series, but a noteworthy vehicle nonetheless. Our Duster was more family car whose color indicated it just might be a lemon as well. Built by the Big Three during the Energy Crisis these cars were flawed automotive products, prone to oil leaks due mostly to cheap engine gaskets requiring frequent servicing. (The Motor City/UAW protecting their financial lifeblood.) In the 5-6 years we owned the car it once required a new engine when we ran out of oil on the Lodge Freeway and a new front end when we skidded off the snowy service drive at the college, severing 3 gaslights at their bases. Noteworthy, and with time & treatment, streaming in 2027✌🏾

So for you lost fans, most of you will have a favorable opinion of the character Sawyer by the end of the show. In season five, Sawyer has an opportunity to leave the island but return to US in the 1970s. If your head canon has ever considered what it would be like for him to have lived those years, well thank you too JJ Abrams we get to see this in Duster. So far, I've had a big smile on my face. It's fun and entertaining. I hope it continues this way.

Josh Holloway gives a good performance so far. He is definitely an underrated actor and this type of character always fits him well. I highly recommend that you give this a try and see if it's for you. I look forward to watching each week. I don't know if this is a single-season show, but I hope they're the second season if the story makes sense to have a continue.

So let's start off with a question. Is this for everyone? The answer: probably not. In saying that it does have all the things you'd expect of a period piece that takes place in the 70's. Long hair, muscle car, afro. Cheap cinnamon chips! Ok the last one not necessarily the case. Mr. Holloway has his charms and the lovely young woman FBI agent is a trailblazer which seems stereotypical these days while Hollywood tries to convince us that there empowering women at the cost of losing historical accuracy in the process which is unfortunate to a degree. The relationships aren't fully fleshed out in the first episode. I'm still unsure who the little girl's mother is in relation to the main character. Ex, friend, family member? Who knows! If you enjoy a little action and drama with a backdrop of crime/70's. Then you can't go wrong with Duster.

If you're a fan of Tarentino/early Coen, your find something like. I see some reviews based on one episode and had to make the point (after watching the first two), that unfortunately is short sighted and an irrelevant way to review, so left it clear in this review, that it is based on the first two episodes.

I see a lot in this style of film--erhhm series (feels like it very well could've been a film). I like the character development, the writing is solid, and some easter eggs thrown in to keep things even more interesting.

Throw in some fantastic muscle cars, killer retro feel and aesthetics, abd you have a very above average series. I almost wish I waited to start it do I could binge more episodes, but went in almost blind (no trailers) and came away pleasantly surprised of its quality and killer cinematography. Sign me up for the rest of the season for sure. Will use the entire series as my final "grading" when it gets there. This is very good and entertaining, abd growing up in the 70s, I like the kitsch-y feel of the era and recognized the feel almost immediately.

Sure, it settles in on what some complain about : social issues, racism and bigotry, but let's face it, that was prevalent during those times and, we'll, didn't feel it was forced or ham fisted at all.

I am enjoying this series! I admit that I always enjoy stuff set in the 70s and 80s and they do a good job of recreating the period here.

Josh Holloway is always good value and, in my opinion, doesn't get enough leading roles. He's got a great screen presence. The supporting cast also do a great job. Special mention for Keith David, too.

The locations are good and it's great to see some great old cars in all their glory.

So ignore the artificial low scores here because they are just not justified. Give the show a chance and I reckon you'll enjoy it!

Let's hope the network gives it a fair chance, as I am fed up of investing time in new series only to see them dumped after one season.