The Lowdown Episode 1 opens in Tulsa with a vibe that feels raw, funny, and a little haunted. Things get really dark very quickly but in that we also discover the humor of The Lowdown that echoes throughout the episode. Ethan Hawke plays Lee Raybon, a used bookstore owner who proudly calls himself a “Truthstorian.” This is not clean-cut detective TV – it is punk rock noir with a heartbeat and a hangover. He vapes, sleeps in his office, and moves like a retired frontman trying to survive a domesticated job. He is very good at sniffing out trouble, but he refuses to fully play by polite rules. The result is a premiere that mixes conspiracy, community, and comedy with surprising confidence.
Intro – Tulsa, A Body, And A Truthstorian
Episode 1 begins with the suspicious death of Dale Washberg, brother of gubernatorial candidate Donald Washberg. On paper it looks like a suicide. Lee Raybon is not convinced. His curiosity and his stubborn streak push him directly into the Washberg family’s orbit — a dynasty with money, power, and a grip on Oklahoma politics. Donald’s polished campaign, Dale’s tragic end, and Betty Jo Washberg’s role in the family all form a backdrop that feels as dangerous as it is familiar.
Tulsa is more than a stage for this story. It shapes every move, every conversation, every secret. The city’s history and community run through the mystery without slowing it down. That mix sets a tone for a season that promises sharp entertainment while keeping one eye on deeper truths.
Ethan Hawke’s Lee looks like he should not be trusted with much more than alphabetizing paperbacks. He vapes, naps in his office, and carries himself like a punk rocker forced into a desk job. But when it comes time to press the powerful, he hits hard. He looks rough. He thinks fast. He does not stop.
The Good – Ethan Hawke’s Shaggy Sleuth And A Living Tulsa

Ethan Hawke plays Lee like a retired frontman who traded a mic for a paperback and still refuses to tuck in his shirt. The performance is loose and funny, but it hides a real precision. Lee sees through people. He fails in public. He gets up anyway. The running gag of him catching hands works because it lowers the myth. The bruises make him human and keep the tone playful. It fits the show’s small scale and scrappy energy.
The setting gives the story weight. Tulsa is textured and specific. You feel community spaces. You feel history in small details, including a pamphlet signed by Martin Luther King Jr. The script points at who built wealth and who was robbed. It also pokes at who wants to rewrite the record. Lee’s curiosity turns those ideas into fuel for the case, not just background noise.
Keith David appears like a perfectly timed chord. He says just enough, then lets silence do the rest. The tease is effective. It signals bigger forces without blowing the mystery open. Killer Mike’s short scene lands in the same lane. It is quick, memorable, and adds flavor without becoming a distraction.
Visually, the premiere leans on grain and shadow. It is not glossy. It is lived in. The soundtrack backs that feel with choices that match the region and the mood. A ghostly beat slips in around a note-reading moment and gives the episode a light supernatural shimmer. It is playful, not heavy. That choice keeps the tone flexible and fun.
The Bad – Bold Choices And Open Questions

The pilot puts Tulsa’s Black history in frame with care, which will spark real debate about perspective. Some viewers may wish a Black lead sat at the center of this story. That is not a knock on Hawke. It is a fair question given the themes in play. The show hints at this tension and seems ready to engage it over time. We will see if it follows through.
Lee’s Confederate flag tattoo is another bold swing. On this character it reads as layered and provocative. It invites conversation. It can also jar on first contact. The tattoo plants a thorn that the season will need to address with clarity. If the writing keeps that thorn purposeful, it could deepen the character. If not, it could hang as noise.
The mystery withholds a lot in episode 1. That strategy works here since the humor and the world carry you. Still, patience has limits. The season will need to pace reveals so the tease stays tasty. Keith David’s character is a great example. The appetite is there. The payoffs need to follow.
Performance And Tone – A Scrappy Blend That Clicks
The Lowdown Episode 1 proves you can chase truth, crack jokes, and still respect the city that holds the secrets. What sells the premiere is tone control. The show jumps from sharp jokes to quiet menace without feeling confused. It keeps scenes short. It lets silences breathe. It trusts the audience to connect dots. Hawke’s timing helps. He can throw away a line and make it land. He can also take a punch and make it funny without undercutting the stakes. That balance is rare. It is also repeatable if the scripts stay this clean.
Verdict – A Shaggy, Sharp Start Worth Following
The Lowdown Episode 1 lands with confidence. It is funny, grounded, and specific. Ethan Hawke’s Lee Raybon is a truth chaser who refuses to look the part, which is exactly why he works. Tulsa is not wallpaper. It is a partner. The show threads community, history, and conspiracy without losing its sense of humor. The bold choices invite conversation. The craft backs them up.