American Crime Season 1 Finale: Will we ever know if Carter did it?

The season finale of “American Crime” was on May 14th and the question of whether Carter Nix really killed Matt Skokie and shot his wife Gwen was sort of left hanging. Sort of, we say, because when Carter learned that Aubry took the rap for the crime, his response was “Why would she do that?” Carter’s reaction certainly showed that he knew she did not do it, and Carter was the only person Aubry had any reason to protect. But hey– did anyone even care who really did it?

Matt’s family members were all certain that Carter was guilty even when informed that the evidence against him was flimsy. Carter’s sister, Aliyah, steadfastly believed in her brother’s innocence and we are left to wonder if Carter whispered his guilt in her ear before he left to visit Aubry.

A man who had nothing left to lose was what was left after Barb rejected Russ’s pleas to stay in Modesto. Russ decided to take Carter out as the one thing he could do for his family before he packed it in himself, and that took away Aubry’s only reason for living — her dream of happiness with Carter.

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Other characters were able to find a new direction. Initially, Hector decided to throw in the towel and not even put up a defense at his Sinaloa murder trial. Just when Hector stopped conniving, ironically, the witness failed to show up in court and the case was dismissed. Hector seemed understandably unnerved. Would a gang member come calling on the outside? But his honest desire to change his life for his daughter’s sake showed in his job interview and that sincerity won him a new chance.

Alonzo chose to put the past behind his family. He was hopeful that a move to San Jose would enable him to start his own business again and get Tony out from under the suspicion he would continue to face in Modesto. Jenny, for her part, had reasons to stay in Modesto but assured her father that it didn’t mean she was leaving her family.

Barb had to identify Russ’ body and then she pushed Mark and Richelle away, telling them the show was over and refusing Mark’s offer to help her bury Russ. Then she collapsed in the parking lot. Mark and Richelle rushed to her assistance, delivering a lecture about a new start. Given the circumstances, it was a bit on the ridiculous side but the point was still that there was hope for a new start for Barb.

American Crime will return for a second season. There will be a new storyline and, per Deadline, Timothy Hutton and Felcity Huffman are already on board. We’d love to see Elvis Nolasco and Caitlin Gerard return, too– and get to live this time.