Pop Culture Happy Hour – "The Lowdown" (Sept 30, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Linda Holmes and Glenn Weldon, joined by guest cultural critic Soraya Nadia McDonald, dig into FX's new series The Lowdown, created by Sterlin Harjo (co-creator of Reservation Dogs). The show is described as a modern-day Western noir comedy starring Ethan Hawke as Lee, a scruffy, obsessive Tulsa "truth-storian" and used bookstore owner who moonlights as an exposé writer. The team explores the show's compelling characters, its unique Oklahoma setting, the strong ensemble cast, and the intricate blend of genre, tone, and “vibe” that make The Lowdown one of 2025’s most interesting new series.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Series Premise and Opening Impressions

• The Lowdown follows Lee (Ethan Hawke), a freelance investigative reporter-detective in Tulsa “with a knack for sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong – and getting that nose punched.” (Glenn Weldon, 00:50)
• The story kicks off with Lee investigating the city’s elite, notably a corrupt gubernatorial candidate (Kyle MacLachlan) who's entangled with his dead brother’s wife (Jean Tripplehorn).
• The narrative is propelled by the mystery of a prominent death, breadcrumbs of clues, and Lee’s dogged determination to “get the truth out about various things.” (Linda Holmes, 04:25)

2. The Ethan Hawke Effect: Lee as “Truth-storian”

• Ethan Hawke’s portrayal immediately grounds the show:
  • “I am prepared to acknowledge that Ethan Hawke is my favorite actor right now... He is so incredibly tuned in to who this guy is.” (Linda Holmes, 04:25)
  • “He gets himself in trouble constantly, but he really is trying to get the Truth out…” (Linda Holmes, 04:25)
• Lee offers a wry self-description:
  • “I read stuff, I research stuff, I drive around and I find stuff and then I write about stuff. Some people care, some people don't. I'm chronically unemployed, always broke. But let's just say I am obsessed with the truth.” (Ethan Hawke as Lee, 03:42)

3. Show’s World-Building and Vibe

• The Oklahoma setting is both gritty and affectionate, with an atmosphere described as “sun-baked grunge,” “flat and brown and dry and unrelentingly bright.” (Glenn Weldon, 09:55)
  • “You keep wanting to tell these characters to put on sunblock. I mean, my God.” (Glenn Weldon, 09:55)
• “Vibe” is discussed as the show's defining feature:
  • “Vibe is gonna be a very big word with this show. But that's just because the vibe of it is so good.” (Linda Holmes, 06:19)
• The Lowdown draws on influences like Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, Larry McMurtry, the Coen Brothers, and even Walter Mosley (who has a writing credit for an episode).

4. Sharp Writing and Memorable Lines

• Dialogue is a highlight, packed with punchy, offbeat phrases and banter:
  • “There's one character who's a real estate age who someone refers to as a cooch mouse.” (Soraya Nadia McDonald, 07:53)
  • Characters Keith David and Killer Mike drop the line: “There’s nothing worse than a white man who cares.” (Soraya Nadia McDonald, 08:03)
  • Lee’s dry wit, when bartering: “I'll give you $1,000 for those shades, this hat, and a brief makeup tutorial.” (Ethan Hawke as Lee, 05:47)
  • Lee is often put in his place: “When he's talking about this expose... he’s like, it's a real page turner. It's only two pages.” (Soraya Nadia McDonald, 13:33)

5. Balancing Serialized and Episodic Storytelling

• The show masterfully balances season-long arcs with self-contained episodes:
  • “They're also very good at making an episode that stands as an episode…” (Linda Holmes, 11:41)
  • Notable for strong guest-star turns, e.g., Peter Dinklage as an old friend: “They have built such a rich relationship between those two guys... seasons of television have not built as much between two characters as they build in a single episode.” (Linda Holmes, 12:19)

6. Character Dynamics and Relationships

• Lee’s flawed centrality: “Lee obviously thinks he’s the coolest guy in the room... But he’s also light years from being the coolest guy.” (Glenn Weldon, 10:08)
• His daughter Frances (Ryann Kyra Armstrong) provides emotional complexity—not a mere plot device but a well-written, vivid presence:
  • “He loves his daughter very much... She sort of wants to be part of what he’s doing a little bit... They have a good relationship. That he really means.” (Linda Holmes, 14:05)
• The parent-daughter dynamic is nuanced:
  • “Frances has had to learn that she can’t count on her dad for emotional stuff, but she can count on him for fun adventure…now she is meeting him on his terms.” (Glenn Weldon, 15:16)
• Lee’s scruffy, awkward persona is contrasted with colorful, frequently exasperated supporting characters: “He always looks like he smells.” (Soraya Nadia McDonald, 13:58)

7. Rich Ensemble and Tulsa as a Character

• An ensemble of scene-stealers includes Keith David (as Lee’s mysterious ally), Killer Mike, Jean Tripplehorn, Michael Hitchcock, Tim Blake Nelson, Tisha Campbell, Tracy Letts, and more.
  • “...as soon as you hear [Keith David’s] voice, you just can’t help yourself. You just gotta lean in a little more.” (Soraya Nadia McDonald, 20:19)
• The cast is age-appropriate, face-forward, and intentionally unpolished, contributing to the show’s authenticity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Let's just say I am obsessed with the truth." – Ethan Hawke as Lee ([03:42])
• "Vibe is gonna be a very big word with this show. But that's just because the vibe of it is so good." – Linda Holmes ([06:19])
• "There's nothing worse than a white man who cares." – Keith David & Killer Mike ([08:03])
• "He always looks like he smells." – Soraya Nadia McDonald ([13:58])
• "Desperation made flesh. He is like, what if vaping were a person?" – Glenn Weldon on Lee ([10:08])
• "Frances has had to learn that she can't count on her dad for emotional stuff, but she can count on him for fun adventure... She’s gonna have to meet him where he is." – Glenn Weldon ([15:16])
• "It's home. It's loving." – Glenn Weldon, on the series' mixed affection for Tulsa ([10:08])
• "It's not primed for Instagram... It's gritty, but it's funny." – Soraya Nadia McDonald, on the show's style ([08:40])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:50] – Series premise outlined by Glenn Weldon
• [03:42] – Ethan Hawke’s introductory monologue as Lee
• [04:25] – Linda Holmes on what makes the show "affable"
• [05:47] – Lee’s disguise and comedic beats
• [06:19] – "Vibe" discussion takes centerstage
• [07:53] – Memorable dialogue: “cooch mouse” and “there’s nothing worse than a white man who cares”
• [09:55] – The look, feel, and “sun-baked grunge” of Tulsa
• [10:08] – Dissection of Lee’s character and awkward charm
• [11:41] – Serialization vs. episodic storytelling strengths
• [13:33] – Lee’s haplessness and comedic dialogue
• [14:05] – Father-daughter relationship grounded in love
• [15:16] – Frances as a fully-realized character, not a plot device
• [16:40] – Praise for the deep ensemble cast
• [17:37] – Hawke’s banter with Michael Hitchcock’s rival character
• [19:26] – Mention of Walter Mosley’s episode and the show's literary DNA
• [20:19] – Soraya on the magnetic presence of Keith David

Tone & Takeaway

This episode is filled with humor, warmth, and sincere critical admiration. The conversation is informal and lively—peppered with laughter and agreement, but not without sharp, thoughtful analysis. The hosts revel in the show’s mixture of world-weary grunge, character-driven comedy, and literary gravity—tying back influences from noir writers to modern prestige TV, while celebrating the show’s originality and the sheer fun of watching Ethan Hawke, the ensemble, and Sterlin Harjo’s made-for-Tulsa oddballs. If you crave the intersection of mystery, small-town grit, and off-kilter quirkiness, The Lowdown is, as the team says, a great hang.