‘The Lowdown’ Finale: Creator Sterlin Harjo Explains Lee’s Choices and Robert Plant’s Influence
The FX crime drama The Lowdown, filmed in Tulsa, concluded its first season on November 5 with the episode “The Sensitive Kind.” The season finale carried a more hopeful tone compared to the bleak conclusions typical of noir stories that inspired creator Sterlin Harjo.
Dark Themes and Tragic Consequences
Throughout the series, protagonist Lee Raybon, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, faces a wave of violence and moral conflict: a series of murders, a man brutally tarred and feathered by a white supremacist group, and the tragic death of an elderly Native man played by Graham Greene — a death Lee unintentionally caused.
A Twist on Classic Noir Endings
Unlike most noir endings that leave chaos and despair, the finale of The Lowdown offers small triumphs for the heroes, though not without sacrifice. Lee continues his relentless investigation into the corrupt dealings of Oklahoma’s gubernatorial candidate Donald Washberg, played by Kyle MacLachlan, and the mysterious death of Donald’s brother, Dale, portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson.
Lee’s Final Decision
After gathering enough evidence to expose the truth behind Dale’s death, Lee meets with Donald to reveal his findings. However, instead of publishing his exposé, Lee strikes an unexpected compromise — he persuades Donald to return a portion of the Washberg family’s land to an Indigenous nation in Oklahoma.
Robert Plant’s Subtle Inspiration
“Sometimes music unlocks a scene for me,” Sterlin Harjo once said, referencing how listening to Robert Plant inspired one of the finale’s key emotional moments.
This musical influence helped Harjo shape a scene that balanced redemption and moral reckoning, ending the season on a deeply human note.
Author’s summary: The finale of The Lowdown delivers redemption amid noir darkness, revealing Sterlin Harjo’s poetic vision where justice and sacrifice intertwine in Tulsa’s shadowed heart.