The Lowdown's Finale Brilliantly Upends Assumptions
Sterlin Harjo’s neo-noir series set in Tulsa, The Lowdown, concluded on FX with violence, humor, and unexpected twists. The finale, titled “The Sensitive Kind,” explored two central questions: how Dale Washberg died and the true nature of Lee Raybon.
Two Central Questions
The cause of Dale Washberg’s death was straightforward, but the nature of Lee Raybon was more complex. Was Lee a righteous seeker of truth or a dangerously delusional white savior? Harjo, who also created Reservation Dogs, challenges simple labels of hero and villain. Ethan Hawke’s character blends both archetypes, embodying a conflicted “Tulsa truthstorian.”
Surprising Revelations
A major surprise for Lee—and viewers—was that the man he viewed as his enemy was no more malicious than Lee himself. This complex dynamic adds depth to the story’s moral landscape.
Title Significance and Opening Scene
The finale’s title, “The Sensitive Kind,” references several elements:
- A song written by J.J. Cale, featured in the episode through an Eric Clapton cover
- The headline on Lee’s cover story about Dale Washberg
- The show’s original working title
The episode opens with a flashback scene that feels partly like fantasy. Lee is in his bookstore reading Walter Tevis’ novel The Man Who Fell to Earth, while Dale (Tim Blake Nelson) browses nearby shelves.
“Because Harjo understands how reductive the labels of hero and villain can be, Ethan Hawke’s wild-eyed ‘Tulsa truthstorian’ turned out to be an equal mix of both archetypes.”
This finale masterfully blurs the lines between truth and perception, forcing both characters and audience to question their assumptions.
Author's summary: The Lowdown’s finale skillfully dismantles clear-cut heroism and villainy, revealing complex characters and moral ambiguity through sharp storytelling and surprising turns.