‘The Lowdown’ Creator Sterlin Harjo on the Season 1 Finale
“The Lowdown” creator Sterlin Harjo shares insights on the bittersweet conclusion of the first season, reflecting on Tulsa's lessons for America and his experience working with Ethan Hawke.
Plot Highlights from "The Sensitive Kind"
SPOILER ALERT: The following contains major plot details from “The Sensitive Kind,” the Season 1 finale of “The Lowdown,” streaming now on Hulu.
Journalist and bookstore owner Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), who calls himself a “truthstorian,” sees uncovering Tulsa’s hidden truths as a vital mission. In the finale, Lee discovers that a white supremacist church has used a land deal to bribe gubernatorial candidate Donald Washburg (Kyle Maclachlan).
Unveiling Dark Secrets
- Donald’s late brother, Dale (Tim Blake Nelson), a closeted eccentric who died under suspicious circumstances, tried to bequeath land to his Native friend Arthur (Graham Greene, in one of his last roles before passing in September).
- Donald’s associate Frank (Tracy Letts), without Donald’s knowledge, hired thugs to intimidate Dale, leading to Dale’s death and later killed Arthur.
Lee’s Choice and Impact
Though Lee uncovers this explosive story, he chooses not to publish it in his final article on the Washburg family. Instead, he persuades a remorseful Donald to transfer the land to the Osage Nation, using his knowledge to create a positive outcome.
“Lee Raybon likes to call himself a ‘truthstorian,’ a made-up title that speaks to how he views unearthing the buried secrets of Tulsa as a higher calling.”
The finale balances hard truths with hope, underscoring the importance of accountability and restitution.
Author's summary: Sterlin Harjo’s finale of “The Lowdown” reveals Tulsa’s hidden histories through a gripping story, showing how truth and justice can bring healing and change.