IR TV Review: THE LOWDOWN - EPISODE 8 (“The Sensitive Kind”) [FX]

The idea of resolution simply comes down to perspective. With the final episode of "The Lowdown" entitled "The Sensitive Kind", the danger of the previous episode seems to change in favor of countenance. It is not a bad idea but it gives a more novelistic approach to the series though, unlike "Task", it doesn't undergo any radical transformation. It simply goes to the fact that people will be people (although it is also making them see through a different light). Tim Blake Nelson recurs in a flashback as Dale Washberg to indeed show that he is the heart of the series, despite being dead throughout. The climactic elements of the end of the previous week gives way to better thoughts, though with the violence previous, it is surprising that it wouldn't go out with more of a bang. The interesting play of Keith David as Marty is a nice change up especially for the final showdown of sorts between Lee (Hawke) and Donald Washberg (Kyle MacLachlan) because the show again shows people being people.

While there are idiosyncrasies it does integrate to how people would react, even if they are trying to assert power. It is intriguing though that they don't push the possibility of what might happen versus what does happen. Now granted there are integrations to a real life story with "The Lowdown" but the idea of dramatic license could have been played more for the finale. The reality is that Lee is going to keep being Lee despite the fact that he is instinctual in some ways and clueless in others. The final moments between him and his daughter speak to a reality where he might see her and yet not see her, champion her in her dreams but yet still be ignorant in others. The real interesting progression (and almost odd perspective -- almost Lynchian in a way), is the final credit call for Betty Jo. It totally makes sense and yet feels inherently tongue-in-cheek. B

By Tim Wassberg