‘The Lowdown’ Creator Sterlin Harjo on the Season 1 Finale
Spoiler alert: This article contains plot details from “The Sensitive Kind,” the Season 1 finale of “The Lowdown,” now streaming on Hulu.
Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a journalist and bookstore owner, calls himself a “truthstorian,” a made-up term reflecting his mission to uncover Tulsa, Oklahoma’s hidden truths. In the finale, Lee uncovers proof that a white supremacist church used a land deal to bribe gubernatorial candidate Donald Washburg (Kyle Maclachlan).
Key Plot Revelations
- Donald’s late brother Dale (Tim Blake Nelson), who died under suspicious “suicide” circumstances, tried to leave land to his Native friend Arthur (Graham Greene, in one of his final roles).
- Donald’s associate Frank (Tracy Letts) secretly hired goons to threaten Dale, which led to Dale’s death, and later killed Arthur.
Lee's Decision and Impact
Despite uncovering this scandalous information, Lee chooses not to publish it in his final article on the Washburg family for a local magazine. Instead,
Lee uses his knowledge to persuade a grieving and guilt-ridden Donald to donate the land to the Osage Nation, creating a meaningful outcome.
Author's Summary
This finale shows how seeking truth can lead to powerful change beyond mere exposure, emphasizing justice and healing in Tulsa’s complicated history.
Would you prefer the tone to be more formal or conversational?