Summary:
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Duster finale reveals Xavier is actually Jim’s brother, Joey, who faked his death.
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The Nixon tape ends up with Mad Raoul, not Xavier, complicating the conspiracy.
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Jim stays in Phoenix after Izzy reveals she has cancer and he is Luna’s real father.
Who Is Xavier in Duster and What Is His Connection to Jim
In the Duster season 1 finale, the identity of the elusive Xavier is finally revealed. The character, shrouded in mystery throughout the series, turns out to be Joey Ellis, Jim’s brother, long presumed dead. Jim believed Joey was killed by Saxton, but in reality, Saxton helped Joey disappear by putting him undercover.
Saxton’s silence about Joey’s survival adds depth to the betrayal Jim experiences. Even as Saxton faced death, he never admitted the truth. Xavier, or Joey, is not only alive but now a powerful player at the center of an FBI conspiracy. He has direct ties to Washington D.C. and is orchestrating cover-ups involving the Richard Nixon tapes.
The controversial Nixon tape, a fictional version of the real-life Watergate recordings, shifts hands in the final episode. Though Saxton initially trades Jim to Greek Sal in exchange for the tape, it ultimately lands with Mad Raoul. The original plan was to deliver the tape to Xavier, giving him control of potentially explosive political evidence.
The tape’s transfer to Mad Raoul disrupts that plan and adds tension going into a potential second season, as the tape remains a critical bargaining chip in the larger conspiracy. The show hints that characters like Cowboy or someone from the White House may have stolen the tape, grounding the fictional plot in a real historical scandal.
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Why Did Ezra Kill Greek Sal and What Was His Motivation
Ezra makes a decisive and violent choice when he kills Greek Sal during a standoff, sparking a chaotic shootout. His decision saves Jim and indirectly protects his son, Royce. Ezra is driven by a personal threat—his belief that Jim’s death would lead Wade to hurt his daughter, Genesis, out of vengeance.
In the shootout, Ezra sacrifices himself, jumping in front of Royce to take a fatal bullet. Ezra’s actions are driven by guilt, fatherly instinct, and a sense of unfinished business. He tells Jim, “I can’t do this to my kid,” underscoring his regret and need for redemption.
In a quiet but impactful twist, Izzy reveals she has cancer and that her new partner, David, is also her oncologist. She informs Jim just as he prepares to leave Phoenix, forcing him to reconsider his plans. The news compels Jim to remain close to care for both Izzy and Luna.
This moment also sets the stage for a possible emotional reveal in season 2—Jim telling Luna that he is her biological father, not her uncle. Jim’s lifestyle of danger and evasion is now at odds with the responsibilities he’s expected to face.
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How Cowboy and Xavier Target Nina in the FBI Conspiracy
Cowboy, a shadowy figure in the Duster universe, is shown to be acting on Xavier’s orders. He directs the corrupt FBI agent Grant to monitor and eventually eliminate Nina Hayes. Nina and Awan have been uncovering a web of FBI corruption, leading directly to Xavier.
However, before Grant can kill Nina, Awan intervenes and takes him out. With Abbott confirming the existence of the conspiracy and Xavier’s central role in it, Nina’s next steps will involve tracing Xavier—and possibly using Jim as bait.
Another major reveal in the finale is that Ezra was responsible for the death of Nina’s father, Virgil. Ezra admits to the murder, claiming that Virgil was an informant for the Philadelphia police who exposed his illegal gambling operations. Ezra retaliated by blowing up Virgil’s car.
Though Nina struggles with the idea that her father was dishonest, she also criticizes Ezra for using the situation to assert power and make an example. Ezra defends his choice, showing no remorse for the killing, further painting him as a complex character whose loyalty and ruthlessness often collide.
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How Duster Sets Up Season 2 and What Comes Next
The final scenes of Duster season 1 build momentum for a follow-up. Jim and Nina are both on a path that leads directly to Xavier. For Jim, it’s personal—he wants to confront the brother he thought he lost. For Nina, it’s professional—Xavier is the key figure behind the FBI conspiracy.
One likely scenario for season 2 is that Jim is asked by Xavier to retrieve the Nixon tape from Mad Raoul, setting up a moral conflict between family loyalty and justice. Meanwhile, Royce and Genesis are left to pick up the pieces of a shattered underworld, following the deaths of Ezra and others in Phoenix’s crime ring.
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Duster season 1 is currently available to stream on Max. Season 2 is not officially confirmed but is widely expected based on the cliffhanger ending.
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