Ep 1. The Mill

American Rust Season 1 Episode 1 - The Mill

American Rust is a drama television series created and written by Dan Futterman for Showtime. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Philipp Meyer. The first episode of the show is titled "The Mill," and it introduces us to the show's ensemble cast of characters.

The episode is set in the fictional down of Buell, Pennsylvania, a now-depressed former steel mill town. Isaac English (David Alvarez) is a teenager who works at the mill and dreams of leaving. But his plans are complicated when his best friend, Billy Poe (Cameron Monaghan), is accused of murder.

Sherriff Del Harris (Mark Pellegrino) is the one investigating the murder, and he questions Billy's girlfriend, Lee (Julia Mayorga), about the events of the night in question. Lee is a runaway and lives in a tent with Billy on the outskirts of town. When she is questioned, she admits that she saw Billy with the victim on the night of the murder but denies that he killed him.

Isaac, who is the son of the mill's owner, has a strained relationship with his father, Henry (Jeff Daniels). Henry has recently hired a new manager, Gordon (Bill Camp), to turn the mill around. Gordon has some ideas for how to modernize the mill and make it more profitable, but the workers are resistant to change.

As the investigation into the murder continues, tensions rise in the town. Billy is arrested and taken to jail, and Isaac begins to question his own loyalty to his friend. Lee is also in danger, as she knows something about the murder that the killer doesn't want getting out.

The episode is well-paced, with a strong sense of place and a gritty atmosphere that suits the show's themes. The characters are intriguing, with complex relationships that hint at deeper issues. The writing is naturalistic, with dialogue that feels authentic to the world of the show.

The cinematography is also impressive, with shots that capture the bleak beauty of the town. The score is haunting, with a mix of atmospheric music and Americana-style songs that evoke the show's themes of loss and nostalgia.

Overall, the first episode of American Rust sets up a compelling story with a talented cast and a strong sense of style. The mystery of the murder is a hook that draws the viewer in, but it's the characters and their relationships that will keep them coming back.