Hulu’s 8-Part American Crime Drama Is the Perfect Weekend Binge Before Its Return

There has been a significant amount of nostalgia for the Western genre recently, and it's often depicted on television in a very classic way. Even for shows like Yellowstone, which are ostensibly set in the present day, there is often little regard for how the tropes of Western storytelling have evolved to reflect contemporary society. FX's The Lowdown is a clever neo-Western, revisionist series that packages its deeper cultural commentary in an intriguing noir story. Although expectations for Sterlin Harjo's next series after Reservation Dogs were high, The Lowdown is a surprising, emotional, and relevant work that appears to be taking things up a notch with its highly anticipated second season.

The Lowdown has the benefit of a star and producer with tremendous passion for the material, as the series stars Ethan Hawke in a role that he has seemingly been preparing for his entire life. Given that Hawke is a beloved writer, cultural critic, and icon of mystery and neo-Western films, he was the perfect choice to play Lee Raybon, a journalist from Tulsa who describes himself as a “truthstorian.” Season 1 of The Lowdown focuses on Lee’s investigation into the death of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), whose brother Donald (Kyle MacLachlan) is in the process of running for governor. While Lee’s goal is to uncover a conspiracy that is critical to the cultural heritage of the state that he grew up in, he also finds an opportunity to connect with his daughter, Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), whose mother, Samantha (Kaniehtiio Horn), he has been separated from.

‘The Lowdown’ Is a Truly Modern Western

Even if it takes place in a more connected world, The Lowdown feels like a more intimate story in the vein of a classical Western because the environment that Lee is operating in is rather insular. Lee feels that it is his duty to serve the people of Tulsa and inform them about current events, which often gets him into trouble when he reports on issues that run afoul of the authorities. The show’s most brilliant decision was to imply that by being a writer, Lee has the same qualities as an enigmatic drifter from a more traditional cowboy story. Lee’s goal isn’t just to ensure justice, but to provide clarity for those who don’t have their rights protected otherwise. The first season of the show charts a fascinating arc for the character, depicting how he grows into his responsibilities. At first, Lee seems to enjoy annoying prominent figures like the construction head Frank Martin (Tracy Letts) and the racist ex-convict Allen Murphy (Scott Shepard), but he eventually discovers critical information about land that has been stolen from the state’s Indigenous population.

Harjo has clear ideas that he articulates with The Lowdown, but the series often ebbs and flows at its own pace, and doesn't collapse under the weight of its own importance in the way that many contemporary dramas do. The show is flexible enough to accommodate running jokes and cultural references (including an entertaining conversation about the films of Michael Curtiz), while also giving opportunities for actors like Peter Dinklage to guest star and maximize its potential. What The Lowdown does, which will likely be beneficial to its long-term success, is build an entire world of characters and history that feels like it could exist beyond the confines of the story being told. The case that Lee solves is only the tip of the iceberg, and there's a lot more narrative to explore in future seasons.

‘The Lowdown’ Has Some of the Best Acting on Television

The Lowdown is a smart show because none of the characters are turned into clichés, as there’s both good and evil within everyone. Perhaps the most surprising turn in the show’s first season was a moment in the finale that completely flipped expectations for Donald; even if Donald was involved in some corrupt activities involving his campaign, he is heartbroken to learn about the details of his brother’s death and resolves to honor his memory by turning over the land to those who rightfully inherited it. Even antagonists like Martin are often incompetent and selfish, which is far more interesting than if they were mustache-twirling villains. It’s also remarkable how the show transforms into a profound father-daughter story, as the terrific chemistry between Armstrong and Hawke feels completely genuine. While it is unfortunate that Armstrong won’t be continuing her role in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, it’s exciting to see what she will do in the future of The Lowdown.

The Lowdown represents an exciting opportunity for FX because it's a series that can’t be described as just one genre. There are dramatic moments, hilarious gags, perplexing mysteries, and a few instances of epic adventure, but the direction of the series seems to go with whatever Lee’s curiosity gets him into. Season 1 of The Lowdown definitively fills a void in the current television landscape, but it also suggests that there are more adventures in store for Lee as he tries to unpack what the “Wild West” really is in a contemporary setting. There’s a debate to be had about what the goals of The Lowdown are, but one thing that it certainly can be described as being is entertaining.