The Lowdown's Finale Brilliantly Upends the Characters’—And Audience’s—Assumptions
Sterlin Harjo's Tulsa-set neo-noir, The Lowdown, concluded with violence, humor, and several compelling twists. The finale, titled “The Sensitive Kind,” aired Tuesday on FX and centered on two main questions.
Key Questions at the Heart of the Finale
- How did Dale Washberg die? This question was expected to have a straightforward answer.
- Is Lee Raybon a righteous crusader for truth and justice or a dangerously delusional white savior? This question proved more complex.
Harjo, the creator of Reservation Dogs, challenges the simplistic labels of hero and villain through the character of Lee Raybon, played by Ethan Hawke. Lee emerges as a complex blend of both archetypes rather than fitting neatly into either.
Unexpected Revelations
One of the bigger surprises for both Lee and the audience was discovering that the man Lee saw as his adversary was no more malicious than Lee himself. This revelation deepens the show's exploration of morality and perspective.
Opening Scene and Symbolism
The finale starts with a flashback that feels almost like a fantasy. Lee is in his bookstore reading Walter Tevis’ novel The Man Who Fell to Earth, while Dale (played by Tim Blake Nelson) browses the shelves.
“The Sensitive Kind” isn’t just a song by J.J. Cale featured in this episode through an Eric Clapton cover, or the headline on Lee’s cover story about Dale; it was also the original working title for the show.
This layered title and the opening scene underscore themes of sensitivity and perception that run throughout the finale.
Author’s summary: The finale of The Lowdown skillfully subverts simple moral roles, revealing the complex humanity of its characters and challenging viewers’ assumptions through unexpected twists.