The Lowdown's Finale Brilliantly Challenges Expectations
Sterlin Harjo's Tulsa-set neo-noir, The Lowdown, concluded its run on FX with a mix of violence, humor, and unexpected twists. The finale, titled “The Sensitive Kind,” centered on two key questions: how Dale Washberg died and the true nature of Lee Raybon's character.
Complex Character Dynamics
The mystery of Dale’s death was straightforward, but Lee Raybon’s role was more nuanced. Was he a heroic seeker of truth or a misguided white savior? Harjo, known for Reservation Dogs, deliberately blurred these lines. Ethan Hawke’s portrayal of Lee blended both heroism and delusion, avoiding simplistic labels.
“An even bigger surprise, for Lee and, I think, for most viewers, was that the man he identified as his nemesis ended up being no more malicious than Lee himself.”
Finale Details and Themes
The episode opens with a flashback that feels partly like fantasy. Lee is in his bookstore, reading Walter Tevis’ novel The Man Who Fell to Earth, while Dale, played by Tim Blake Nelson, browses nearby. The title “The Sensitive Kind” also references a song by J.J. Cale, featured via an Eric Clapton cover in the episode, and was the show’s working title.
Summary
Harjo’s finale invites viewers to reconsider simplistic moral binaries, presenting characters who embody both light and shadow in a deeply human story.
Would you like the tone to be more analytical or narrative?