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The Best Episodes of American Rust

Every episode of American Rust ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Rust!

Binge this in 9h 11m•Peaking at 9.0/10

A compelling family drama and a timeless story told through the eyes of complicated and compromised chief of police Del Harris of a Pennsylvania Rust Belt town full of good people making bad choices.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    American Rust Season 2 Episode 5 - Light Me Up
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #1 - Light Me Up

    S2:E5

    Del feels pressure surrounding the Brotherhood as he looks into Vic's disappearance. Lee and Isaac argue about her feelings regarding her job. Isaac’s feelings are hurt when he crosses paths with someone from Russell’s life, while Billy's behavior grows more erratic and causes him to act out.

    Director:Radium Cheung
    Writer:Ted Malawer

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  2. American Rust Season 2 Episode 10 - Confessions
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - Confessions

    S2:E10

    Fighting crippling pain, Del is determined to continue his investigation and turns to Steve for help. Billy leaves for basic training and finds comfort when he befriends a fellow traveler. The Landwill conflict comes to a head.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Adam Rapp

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  3. American Rust Season 2 Episode 9 - Fast Horses, Younger Women and More Money
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Fast Horses, Younger Women and More Money

    S2:E9

    Cynthia becomes suspicious of everyone as she tries to figure out what happened to Vic. Angela and Del are surprised when they arrive at an urgent police call and things are not as they seem. Lee reconnects with Alejandro when she goes to New York to sign their divorce papers.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Jessica Brickman

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  4. American Rust Season 1 Episode 9 - Denmark
    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #4 - Denmark

    S1:E9

    Harris finally finds the anonymous eyewitness. Lee decides not to return to New York. Billy is returned to the general prison population to face the consequences of his actions. The D.A. may be forced to drop the case. Season finale.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. American Rust Season 2 Episode 6 - Daddy Issues
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #5 - Daddy Issues

    S2:E6

    Angela is brought into Del's secret plan. Grace receives a promising job offer, but remains worried about Billy’s behavior. Lee and Isaac have a memorial service for their father.

    Director:Radium Cheung
    Writer:Jessica Brickman

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  6. American Rust Season 2 Episode 7 - Tree
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #6 - Tree

    S2:E7

    Lee’s involvement in the Landwill case deepens. Isaac receives a surprise visit and Billy’s behavior ruins a dinner party. Del fears for Angela’s safety while Grace misses Del.

    Director:Melissa Hickey
    Writer:Delondra Williams

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Rust

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  7. American Rust Season 2 Episode 8 - Ponderosa
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #7 - Ponderosa

    S2:E8

    Billy has a new lease on life after finally confronting his past and makes strides to secure his future. Lee is in trouble as Rinna investigates the missing documents. Russell returns to Buell to find Isaac moving on. Angela and Del are wary of mysterious circumstances surrounding a death.

    Director:Melissa Hickey
    Writer:Ted Malawer

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  8. American Rust Season 1 Episode 8 - St. Sebastian
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #8 - St. Sebastian

    S1:E8

    Isaac is taken in by a kind stranger. Grace’s union drive is put to the test. Billy fires his public defender. Harris realizes what he has to do.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Adam Rapp

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  9. American Rust Season 2 Episode 1 - Homecoming
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #9 - Homecoming

    S2:E1

    Four months after the shoot-out in West Virginia, Del has returned to the Pittsburgh P.D. while the folks in Buell try to get their lives back on track.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Dan Futterman

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  10. American Rust Season 2 Episode 3 - Iron Sky
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #10 - Iron Sky

    S2:E3

    Del invites Vic out to his cabin for a male bonding weekend. Grace goes toe-to-toe with Sue at the District Attorney debate. The town of Buell is rocked by another murder of one of their own, while Steve’s suspicion of Grace grows.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Adam Rapp

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  11. American Rust Season 1 Episode 7 - Blue Mountains
    7.2/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Blue Mountains

    S1:E7

    Billy gets in with a questionable crowd. Isaac travels alone. Harris’ investigation into the anonymous eyewitness continues as a high school football player ODs.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Jaquén Castellanos

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  12. American Rust Season 1 Episode 5 - Jojo Ameri-GO
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Jojo Ameri-GO

    S1:E5

    Harris races the clock in his search for the anonymous eyewitness. Lee seeks professional advice about whom to protect. Harris’ old Pittsburgh PD partner pays him a visit.

    Director:Darnell Martin
    Writer:Jaquén Castellanos

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  13. American Rust Season 2 Episode 4 - The Hand You're Dealt
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #13 - The Hand You're Dealt

    S2:E4

    Del and Vic grow closer during their weekend in Buell. Lee grows more suspicious of her law firm as her investigation leads her to surprising evidence. A job prospect presents itself to Grace, and Isaac and Russell bond after a harrowing experience. Steve’s suspicion of Grace and Del grows into an obsession.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Álvaro Rodríguez

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  14. American Rust Season 1 Episode 2 - Happy Returns
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #14 - Happy Returns

    S1:E2

    Harris’ investigation continues. Isaac leaves town. Billy and Lee reunite as Buell celebrates a shotgun wedding.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Adam Rapp

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  15. American Rust Season 1 Episode 4 - My Name Is Billy
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #15 - My Name Is Billy

    S1:E4

    Isaac befriends someone who teaches him the rules of the road. The sheriff searches for evidence in Billy and Grace’s trailer. Billy tells Lee what happened in the steel mill.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Álvaro Rodríguez

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  16. American Rust Season 1 Episode 1 - The Mill
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #16 - The Mill

    S1:E1

    In a small rust belt town in southwest Pennsylvania, Chief of Police Del Harris investigates after a dead body turns up in an abandoned steel mill. Series premiere.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Dan Futterman

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  17. American Rust Season 2 Episode 2 - The Golden Goose
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #17 - The Golden Goose

    S2:E2

    A new murder in Buell lights a fire in Steve as he doubles down on his suspicions of Grace and Del. Del continues to investigate the bombing in Pittsburgh while also becoming more enmeshed in the Brotherhood.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Jean Kyoung Frazier

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  18. American Rust Season 1 Episode 6 - Debt Collection
    5.5/10(6 votes)

    #18 - Debt Collection

    S1:E6

    Alejandro learns of Lee’s history with Billy. Isaac turns his first trick solo. Harris travels back to Pittsburgh with his old partner to repay a debt.

    Director:Darnell Martin
    Writer:Charly Evon Simpson

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  19. American Rust Season 1 Episode 3 - Forgive Us Our Trespasses
    5.0/10(6 votes)

    #19 - Forgive Us Our Trespasses

    S1:E3

    Grace enlists help in her effort to unionize the dressmakers. The sheriff gets an anonymous tip about the murder in the steel mill.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Céline C. Robinson

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Best Episodes Summary

"Light Me Up" is the best rated episode of "American Rust". It scored 9/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by Radium Cheung and written by Ted Malawer, it aired on 3/28/2024. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Confessions".