American Vandal Season 1 Episode 3 Nailed
- TV-MA
- 35 min
-
7.8 (812)
In "American Vandal" season 1 episode 3, titled "Nailed," high school student Alex Trimboli becomes the latest suspect in the investigation into the spray-painted phallic symbols that have appeared around campus. Dylan and Peter decide to investigate Trimboli after a party where he was seen with spray paint and a motive is revealed. Trimboli initially seems like a promising suspect as Dylan and Peter uncover some potentially incriminating evidence, but things quickly become more complicated.
In this episode, we see more of the relationships between the characters. Peter struggles with feeling guilty after he implicates Trimboli in the vandalism and Dylan continues to grapple with his own feelings of inadequacy in relation to his journalistic aspirations. In the meantime, Trimboli insists on his innocence and begins to work on his own investigation into who might have actually committed the crime.
As the episode progresses, Dylan and Peter realize that there are some major holes in their theory about Trimboli. They start to wonder if they have been too focused on one suspect and not considering all of the possibilities. They also begin to question some of the evidence they have gathered, wondering if they have interpreted it correctly or even if it is reliable.
The investigation takes several turns as new pieces of information come to light. Dylan and Peter talk to more students and former faculty members, hoping to gain insight into who might be responsible for the vandalism. They begin to consider alternative theories about the crime, including the possibility that it might be a coordinated effort by a group of students rather than the work of a lone attacker.
Throughout the episode, the tension builds as Dylan and Peter try to find the truth about what happened. They face resistance from some of their classmates who don't want to get involved in the investigation and have to navigate tricky social dynamics in order to get the information they need. Meanwhile, Trimboli becomes increasingly desperate to clear his name and starts to take matters into his own hands.
Overall, episode 3 of "American Vandal" is a tense and engaging exploration of the investigation into the phallic symbols that have appeared around campus. With its focus on character relationships and the complexities of high school dynamics, this episode offers a nuanced and compelling look at the various factors that can influence the outcome of a criminal investigation. Through its well-crafted storytelling and strong performances, "Nailed" is a standout episode of a series that is rapidly becoming one of Netflix's most popular and acclaimed originals.