‘The Lowdown’ Finale: Creator Sterlin Harjo on Lee’s Decisions and Robert Plant’s Influence
The FX drama The Lowdown, filmed in Tulsa, concluded its first season in November. The finale, titled “The Sensitive Kind,” ties together a series of grim events — multiple murders, a brutal attack by a white supremacist group, and the accidental death of an elderly Native man, portrayed by Graham Greene, at the hands of protagonist Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke).
These dark themes reflect the noir influences that shaped creator Sterlin Harjo’s approach. Yet, unlike the typically bleak conclusions of classic noir, Harjo crafted an ending that grants the heroes some measure of triumph, though not without personal sacrifice.
Lee’s Moral Crossroads
Throughout the series, Lee relentlessly investigates the corruption surrounding Oklahoma governor candidate Donald Washberg (Kyle MacLachlan) and the mysterious death of his brother Dale (Tim Blake Nelson). As the finale unfolds, Lee prepares to reveal the truth in a final exposé. However, he shifts direction after confronting Donald face-to-face.
Instead of exposing Donald, Lee strikes a deal — to return Washberg family land, which Donald intended to sell to a white supremacist group called One Well, back to an Indigenous nation in Oklahoma.
Creative and Musical Inspiration
Sterlin Harjo revealed that a song by Robert Plant influenced a key scene in the finale, shaping Lee’s emotional and moral journey. That moment anchors the story’s delicate balance between justice and redemption.
Author’s Summary
Harjo’s finale combines noir’s shadows with a rare sense of hope, as Lee Raybon’s choice restores land and integrity in a world steeped in corruption and loss.