'The Lowdown' Creator Sterlin Harjo on the Bittersweet Finale and Tulsa's Lessons for America
SPOILER ALERT: This piece discusses the plot and conclusion of “The Sensitive Kind,” the Season 1 finale of “The Lowdown,” now streaming on Hulu.
Lee Raybon, the 'Truthstorian'
Journalist and bookstore owner Lee Raybon, played by Ethan Hawke, calls himself a “truthstorian.” The self-made term captures his mission: uncovering Tulsa’s hidden stories and confronting its buried past. For Lee, truth-telling is a moral obligation rather than a profession.
The Washburg Family’s Dark Secret
In the finale, Lee discovers evidence that a white supremacist church concealed a corrupt land deal to bribe gubernatorial candidate Donald Washburg, portrayed by Kyle MacLachlan. The scheme traces back to Donald’s late brother, Dale, a reclusive man whose apparent suicide masks a deeper tragedy.
Dale intended to leave his property to his Native friend Arthur, a role performed by Graham Greene in one of his last screen appearances before his death in September. However, Donald’s associate Frank, unaware of the true stakes, sent hired men to pressure Dale—an act that ended in Dale’s death and later Arthur’s murder.
A Moral End Instead of an Exposé
Although Lee has all the facts, he decides against publishing the story. Instead, he convinces a remorseful Donald Washburg to transfer the disputed land to the Osage Nation. By turning truth into justice rather than scandal, Lee fulfills his mission in a more profound way.
“Lee uses knowledge not for destruction, but for restoration — a lesson America could stand to learn from Tulsa.”
Working with Ethan Hawke
Sterlin Harjo praised Ethan Hawke’s portrayal of Lee Raybon, noting the actor’s rare ability to “break your heart while making you laugh.” Harjo credits Hawke for grounding the story’s complexity in empathy and quiet humor.
Author’s summary: Sterlin Harjo’s finale for “The Lowdown” transforms investigative drama into an act of redemption, bridging personal guilt and collective healing through Tulsa’s untold truths.