Ethan Hawke’s new crime series on FX, The Lowdown, continues its first season with a tense new episode. The story follows an eccentric reporter in Tulsa, Oklahoma, digging into the secrets of a powerful family. Episode 5, titled “This Land?”, is scheduled to air on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET on the FX network. For cord-cutters, the episode will be available for streaming on Hulu the next day, October 15.
Where to Watch The Lowdown Episode 5
The release schedule for The Lowdown follows a weekly pattern. New episodes debut on FX on Tuesday nights and move to Hulu for streaming the following Wednesday. This pattern holds true for the fifth episode.
You can watch Episode 5, “This Land?” on:
- FX: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET.
- Hulu: Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
The first season is planned for a total of eight episodes, with the season finale set for November 4, 2025. The first four episodes are already available to stream on Hulu.
The Story So Far: What Led to Episode 5
The Lowdown stars Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a self-proclaimed “truthstorian” and bookstore owner who investigates local corruption in Tulsa. His current focus is the powerful Washberg family, particularly Donald Washberg, who is running for governor. The series is loosely based on the life of real-life Oklahoma journalist Lee Roy Chapman.
The previous episode, “Short on Cowboys,” saw Lee have a wild night with Betty Jo, the widow of Donald’s brother, Dale. Before they got intimate, Betty Jo revealed a major family secret. She confessed that she and Donald were lovers, but the family married her to their gay son, Dale, to maintain appearances. She also revealed that Pearl, who was thought to be Dale’s daughter, was actually fathered by Donald. The brothers were fighting over Pearl in the days before Dale’s death, which was officially ruled a suicide.
What to Expect in Episode 5: “This Land?”
The official synopsis for the upcoming episode is brief but ominous: “Lee spends a day with his worst enemy.” This sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation. The identity of this enemy is the central mystery heading into the new episode.
Given the events of Episode 4, this enemy could be several people. Donald Washberg is an obvious candidate, as Lee’s investigation directly threatens his political campaign and family reputation. Lee’s passionate night with Betty Jo could also have made an enemy of Donald, who was seen watching Lee sneak out of her house. Furthermore, Lee’s digging has already put him in the crosshairs of other dangerous figures, like the contractor Allen Murphy.
The director for this episode is Macon Blair, with the script written by Olivia Purnell.
Meet the Cast of The Lowdown
The series features a strong ensemble cast led by Ethan Hawke. The main characters include:
- Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, the passionate and conspiracy-prone journalist.
- Keith David as Marty, a private investigator who has been following Lee.
- Kaniehtiio Horn as Samantha, Lee’s ex-wife.
- Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Francis, Lee’s daughter.
- Jeanne Tripplehorn as Betty Jo, Dale’s widow and a key source for Lee.
- Kyle MacLachlan as Donald Washberg, the gubernatorial candidate from the powerful Washberg family.
The show also features notable supporting roles from actors like Tim Blake Nelson, Peter Dinklage, and Tracy Letts.
A Critically Acclaimed New Series
Since its premiere, The Lowdown has been met with positive reviews from critics. The series holds a very high rating on review aggregator sites, with many praising Ethan Hawke’s performance and the show’s unique blend of crime, comedy, and neo-noir style. The series was created by Sterlin Harjo, the co-creator of the acclaimed FX series Reservation Dogs, and it is set in the same fictional universe.
Also Read: The Lowdown Episode 4: The Secret That Shattered the Washberg Family
