American Rust - Season 2 ⁞⁞ Series Spotlight

The crime drama American Rust returned for its second season, cancelled at Showtime and revived on Amazon. The series picked up with the lives of the community in a small Rust Belt town in Pennsylvania, including gay character Isaac (David Alvarez). Isaac attempted to move past the previous trauma, which involved Isaac killing a crooked ex-cop when he had an altercation with Isaac's best friend Billy (Alex Neustaedter). Billy ended up going to prison for the crime and being beaten into a coma after taking the blame for Isaac. Season 2 began with Billy recovering from his coma and Isaac offering him a place to live, away from his hovering parents. Billy moved into Isaac's house, shared with his sister, and Billy's love interest, Lee (Julia Mayorga). Isaac split his time between helping Billy with his rehab, and looking for some satisfaction with random hookups he meets at the local gay bar. After hooking up with Russell (Christopher Denham), they cross paths at work, discovering that Russell is a supervisor for the Landwell corporation, which is under pressure from locals for potentially damaging the environment and invading property with their drilling. The two continue too hook-up in secret, at Russell's request, though Isaac still manages to introduce him to Billy & Lee, who are struggling to rekindle their own romance. When Isaac learns that the closeted Russell is married, things turn sour, just in time for the return of Isaac's former love interest Nate (Tom Pecinka). Their spark reignites after Russell seemingly leaves town, only to return, dropping him right in Isaac's path again. However, Russell's more dangerous motives soon become clear, as its revealed he's a fixer for the Landwell company and their lawyers. When lawyer Lee catches onto their crimes, Russell is tasked with eliminating her. Nate catches him in the house first, leading to his death at Russell's hands. Russell covers up the crime with a note to Isaac, claiming to be Nate leaving town so that Isaac can be with Russell. The heartbroken Isaac returns to Russell, unaware of his intentions towards his sister. Russell carries out his hit before the investigators can intervene, just as Isaac discovered evidence of Russell hurting Nate. Isaac rushed home to learn of his sister's death. Russell is also killed in a confrontation with the police. Season 2 ended with Isaac supporting Billy in his enlistment in the military, comforting each other through their grief over Lee.