The Lowdown Season 1, Episode 1 begins with Dale Washberg writing a suicide note in his study. He hides the note inside a Jim Thompson book titled Texas by the Tail and places it on a bookshelf filled with other Thompson novels. Dale is briefly interrupted by a noise outside but finishes the note and then apparently takes his own life shortly after.

Lee Raybon, a journalist and bookstore owner in Tulsa, is unconvinced that Dale's death was a suicide. He suspects foul play and decides to investigate further. Lee attends Dale's estate sale, where he tries to gather clues about the circumstances surrounding Dale's death. His investigation is motivated by his recent article exposing corruption involving the Washberg family, which has made him unpopular in the community.

Lee takes a stolen Brainard sketch to Ray, an antique dealer, to sell it. Ray offers $1500 but refuses to pay because the sketch was stolen. Lee's real purpose is to convince Ray to return to Dale's estate and buy more of Dale's books. Ray contacts Vicki to arrange the purchase of the Thompson novels for the same $1500. Lee gives Ray the check, but Ray tears it up, indicating a complicated business relationship between them.

Lee visits a run-down beauty shop where the Tulsa Beat newspaper operates. He meets the editor, Killer Mike, who focuses on exposing small-time criminals but lacks resources to challenge powerful families like the Washbergs. Lee promises Killer Mike an article on the Bootboys, a gang suspected of human trafficking. Killer Mike gives Lee an empty gun for protection and a $200 advance, warning him not to be reckless.

Back at his bookstore, Hoot Owl Books, Lee gives half of the advance to his clerk. The clerk's cousin, Waylon, a parolee, wants a job as security. Lee, strapped for cash, agrees to let Waylon work in exchange for a place to sleep and a job to report to his parole officer. Waylon's presence provides Lee with some muscle, though Waylon's demeanor is somewhat clownish.

Lee's personality is shown as self-aggrandizing and lacking a filter, but he is also compassionate, as seen when he brings food to a homeless man sleeping outside his bookstore. He is determined to expose corruption, racism, and criminal activities in Tulsa, including white supremacists like Berta and Blackie. Lee's relationship with his daughter Francis is a key emotional element; she admires him and joins him on stakeouts, providing a softer side to his otherwise abrasive character.

Lee meets with Frank Martin, a local real estate magnate involved in shady dealings. Lee confronts Frank with his plan to expose him, using finger guns as a theatrical gesture. After the meeting, Lee steals a Joe Brainard painting from a country club hostess by bribing her, relishing the moment as a personal victory. This act underscores Lee's complex character--part crusader, part showman.

Throughout the episode, Lee uncovers clues that suggest Dale's death was not a suicide but connected to the Washberg family's corruption. His investigation puts him in danger, especially as he digs into the activities of white supremacists and other criminal elements. Despite warnings, Lee becomes involved with Dale's widow, Betty Jo, deepening the conspiracy and raising the stakes personally.

The episode ends with Lee continuing his investigation, aware that his pursuit of truth is making him a target in a town rife with corruption and danger. His determination to expose the Washbergs and their allies sets the stage for the unfolding drama.

The ending of The Lowdown, Season 1, Episode 1 ("Pilot") shows citizen journalist Lee Raybon uncovering initial evidence of a cover-up surrounding the death of a strange man from a powerful family, setting the stage for deeper investigation and conflict.

In detail, the episode concludes with Lee Raybon, a determined bookstore owner and amateur investigative journalist in Tulsa, piecing together clues that suggest the official story about the mysterious death is false. Throughout the episode, Lee's dogged pursuit of truth leads him to confront influential figures, including a local real estate magnate named Frank Martin, who appears involved in shady dealings. As the episode progresses, Lee's interactions reveal his complex character--he is self-aggrandizing and sometimes reckless, but motivated by a genuine desire to expose corruption. The final scenes show Lee sharing his suspicions with his daughter Francis, who supports his efforts despite his flaws. The episode closes on a tense note, with Lee realizing that his investigation will put him in danger but also that he is committed to uncovering the truth no matter the cost. The fate of Lee at this point is unresolved but clearly poised for escalating conflict. Francis remains a supportive presence, and the powerful family connected to the deceased man remains an ominous force in the background, hinting at future confrontations.

No other main characters reach a definitive fate by the end of this first episode, as the story is just beginning to unfold. The episode's ending emphasizes Lee's role as an underdog fighting against entrenched power, setting up the central conflict of the series.

Yes, The Lowdown Season 1, Episode 1 does have a post-credit scene. After the credits, there is a sequence featuring scenes from upcoming episodes of the series. This includes snippets of tense and mysterious moments such as a character preparing to wear a wire, references to family betrayal, armed confrontations, and hints of deeper conspiracies involving the Washberg family and other players. The tone is suspenseful and sets up the intrigue for the rest of the season.

Lee Raybon is unconvinced that Dale Washberg's death was a suicide and is driven to uncover the truth behind it, which leads him to attend Dale's estate sale and dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Lee steals the Brainard sketch from a supper club and takes it to Ray's antique store, where Ray offers $1500 for it. Lee's real intention is to convince Ray to buy more books from Dale's estate, which Ray does by purchasing the Thompson novels for the same amount. Lee then returns the check to Ray, who tears it up, completing the business efficiently.

Waylon is the cousin of Lee's clerk at Hoot Owl Books. He wants a job working security and needs a place to sleep and a job to report to his parole officer. Lee, cash-strapped but needing muscle, hires Waylon to watch the bookstore, providing him with a job and shelter.

Lee learns that Allen Murphy, a contractor, was once a convict with ties to Nazi gangs in prison. After his release, Murphy polished his reputation and formed ties with Akron but maintained connections with Blackie and Berta, who were involved in illegal activities. Murphy also makes a thinly veiled threat to Lee, indicating awareness of Lee's investigation and his dangerous past.

Lee is portrayed as self-aggrandizing, lacking a filter and possibly hygiene, but fundamentally well-meaning. He is committed to taking down bad actors like Nazis, corrupt politicians, and shady corporate interests. His relationship with his daughter Francis humanizes him, showing a softer side beneath his self-indulgent traits. Despite his flaws, Lee is determined and courageous in his pursuit of justice.

The TV show "The Lowdown," Season 1, Episode 1 (2025), is rated TV-MA, indicating it is intended for mature audiences and is not family-friendly. It contains moderate violence and gore, severe profanity, and mild sexual content and nudity. The episode includes scenes with physical violence such as characters receiving black eyes, a busted nose, and bloody mouths, as well as kidnapping and witnessing deaths. There are also threats made against a teenage character and her family, and the depiction of a suspicious death involving a gunshot, which may be upsetting or intense for children or sensitive viewers. Additionally, there is mild use of alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and some frightening or intense moments.

In summary, the show features content that could be objectionable or upsetting for children or sensitive people, including:

• Physical violence and injury
• Kidnapping and death scenes (not graphically shown but implied)
• Threats to family members, including a teenager
• Severe language/profanity
• Mild sexual content and nudity
• Mild substance use
• Some intense or frightening scenes

Because of these elements, "The Lowdown" is not suitable for family viewing or younger audiences.