Ep 2. Happy Returns

In American Rust season 1 episode 2, titled "Happy Returns," we continue to follow the aftermath of the murder of a local woman in a small Pennsylvania town. As the investigation continues, we see that tensions are running high, and the residents are quick to point fingers and assign blame.

The episode opens with Isaac, the troubled son of the town sheriff, out on bail and returning to Millbrook after a stint in prison. His homecoming is not exactly a warm one- his father is clearly disappointed in him, and his old friends are distant and wary. Isaac tries to pick up where he left off, but it's clear that things have changed in his absence.

Meanwhile, Grace, the victim's daughter, is struggling to cope with the loss of her mother. She's on the verge of being kicked out of college due to her emotional state, and her father is distant and unhelpful. Desperate for a way to cope, she turns to Billy, her mother's former lover. But their relationship quickly becomes complicated when Billy asks her to leave town with him and start a new life together.

Back at the sheriff's office, Chief Del Harris is feeling the pressure to make an arrest in the case. He's tasked with interrogating a suspect- a local man with a history of domestic violence who was seen arguing with the victim on the night of her murder. But as Del questions him, it becomes clear that he may not be the killer after all.

As the episode progresses, we see each character struggling to come to terms with the murder and its fallout. Isaac is desperate to prove himself to his father and earn back his trust, but he's haunted by his past mistakes and the weight of his family's expectations. Grace is grappling with her grief and her feelings for Billy, unsure if she can trust him or if he's just using her to escape his own problems. And Del is struggling to keep his cool as the pressure mounts to solve the case and bring the killer to justice.

Overall, "Happy Returns" is a tense and emotional episode that further deepens the characters and their relationships. It's clear that the murder has had a profound impact on the town and its residents, and as the investigation continues, we're left wondering who will ultimately bear the weight of responsibility for the crime.