One of the treats of the fall of 2025 was the discovery of The Lowdown, a new mystery series set in Oklahoma. It follows Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a self-titled Truthstorian who plies his craft at investigative journalism to the stories of the region. He has an unorthodox method and a strange way about him.
All those things helped make his story endearing. He wrapped up his investigation for season 1, but now he’s back and ready for a new mystery. That’s what he stumbles into while being honored in the season 2 premiere, “Rupidoop.”
A major award
As we open this new season, Lee is contemplating some big things. He has a new lady, Vicky (Abbie Cobb), and they’ve hit it off. They like the same music. They have a good vibe. And Lee, nervous about the night’s events, decides to take a big swing. He suggests they get married. He’s clearly misread the room, and Vicky responds as you’d expect. But she does offer a Taro reading, and it turns out that Lee is about to receive a new offer.
It doesn’t take long for him to launch into something new. He’s being honored as the Tulsa Citizen Journalist of the Year. He arrives at the ceremony, a little high and a little over served, and wanders up to make a speech. It’s too long, too rambling, and too critical of other journalists. In other words, it’s quintessentially Lee. And that would be fine, except for one thing.
Lee invited his family, namely his daughter Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), to see his presentation. She arrives in time to see his speech and quickly heads out after. She’s embarrassed, and it’s too much.
The following day, when she comes to see Lee, she tells him as much. He protests that it wasn’t that bad, but Francis wants her father to be better. Seeing that he hurt her is something he is left to mull over. But, he has other problems, too.
A new case
In addition to getting a major award, the ceremony turned out to be a great spot to pick up something new. During a meet-cute at the bar, he connects with Ginger (Betty Gilpin). She’s a public defender and she’s on edge. She thinks two guys are following her. Lee doesn’t think much of it at first.
When he heads to the bathroom, he spots a couple guys (Shane McRae and Austin Amelio) who don’t seem like they belong. He later sees them heading out after Ginger. So, Lee follows her, and she uses him for cover. He offers to help, but she isn’t that open to it.
The following day, Lee tracks Ginger down at her office. She’s again hesitant to get him involved. But finally, she confesses that she’s worried about a former client in jail who has gone missing. Lee decides to check it out. He checks in and meets with the man (PJ Vegas), but it turns out he’s a plant.
The misdirect throws Lee off his game. He drops Ginger’s name and becomes flustered. As he exits, one of the men from the ceremony (McRae) is hanging around his van. He’s actually a guard named McMann, and he offers a not-so-subtle threat.
When Lee catches up with Ginger, she’s more than a little flustered. She ushers him out, worried that he’s made things worse. As Lee is preparing to leave, he hears a shot ring out. He heads back, and it turns out the other man tried to approach Ginger’s house and caught a bullet instead. Ginger is safe, but it’s clear there is more going on.
A visitor
Meanwhile, we open the episode with a man walking down the highway. He’s older. He appears to be a bit confused about the date and what he’s doing, but he’s bound for Tulsa. And he says his name is Lee Raybon (Tommy Lee Jones).
As the episode comes to a close, the cops pull up at Lee’s shop. They are in a joking mood, and they say they have someone who knows him. It’s Lee Raybon, Sr., Lee’s father. And Lee doesn’t look pleased to see him.
Sterlin Harjo has a talent for writing these kinds of stories. There’s drama and there’s intrigue, but there’s also humor and time for an exploration of the local culture. That’s a gift, and it’s the mix that makes this show engaging. The other piece of that is Hawke, who continues to be pitch-perfect in this role. I’m ready for a new adventure.
The Lowdown airs Wednesdays on FX. Check back next week as we recap the season on Show Snob.
Add us as a preferred source on Google