[Editor’s note: This analysis includes spoilers for the finale of The Lowdown.]

Sterlin Harjo’s television series are remarkable for their profound sense of location. Both Reservation Dogs and his latest series, The Lowdown, prominently feature Oklahoma, Harjo’s home state, as an integral character of the narratives. In Reservation Dogs, which Harjo developed with Taika Waititi, the made-up town of Okern (shot in Okmulgee) is vibrantly alive. Here, four teenagers experience the trials of growing up while they grieve a lost friend. Starting from the first scene where they hijack a truck of Flamin’ Flamers, to intimate glimpses into their family lives and community spaces like the local church, the portrayal is immersive. Over three seasons, the young characters evolve from wanting to flee their town to cherishing their cultural roots and community. Harjo continues this thematic exploration in The Lowdown, which concluded its inaugural season on November 4. 

The Lowdown, while distinct in its narrative, pays a genuine tribute to Harjo’s Native American heritage. The show, like Reservation Dogs, features instantly relatable settings and a consistent visual style, thanks to talents like production designers Brandon Tonner-Connelly and art director Andy Eklund. In this series, Lee Raybon (played by Ethan Hawke, who also appeared in a critical episode of Reservation Dogs) is a so-called “truthstorian” who frequently finds himself in hot water while investigating corrupt figures in Tulsa to support his daughter and seek justice. His journey also involves solving the apparent suicide of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), after Lee exposes his family’s secrets. Through this mystery, Harjo delves into themes of communal healing and the power of shared histories. 

Apart from television, Harjo has explored these deeply personal themes through films set in Oklahoma like Four Sheets To The Wind (2007), Barking Water (2009), and the thriller Mekko (2015), which follows a recently released prisoner in Tulsa reconnecting with his past and his community. In his series work, Harjo intensifies his examination of Indigenous history and its modern implications. In Reservation Dogs, this is portrayed through elements of surrealism and the communal mourning of a friend. The Lowdown shifts focus slightly to explore the displacement of Indigenous peoples in urban settings, culminating in a poignant season finale.

In the episode titled “The Sensitive Kind,” the mystery of Dale’s death is finally unraveled when it’s revealed that he was coerced by two skinheads, manipulated by his wife Betty Jo (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and Frank Martin (Tracy Letts), a bigoted construction company owner. This revelation shows how deep-seated corruption aimed to prevent the rightful transfer of land back to its Indigenous owners. As the plot unfolds, the gubernatorial candidate Donald Washberg (Kyle MacLachlan), upon discovering the truth about his brother’s death, announces the return of the land to the Osage Nation, highlighting the state’s dependence on recognizing tribal sovereignty. This act, while possibly politically motivated, underscores the series’ reflection on the enduring legacies of Indigenous trauma and kinship.

The finale, “The Sensitive Kind,” also showcases the community’s role in guiding key events, as Lee’s friends and allies play crucial parts in uncovering the truth. This narrative choice emphasizes the theme of community that is central to both Reservation Dogs and The Lowdown. As Harjo mentioned in an interview with The New York Times, his goal is to authentically represent his perception of home through his work. Though there’s no confirmation on when The Lowdown will return, Harjo’s upcoming projects promise to further explore these compelling themes.