In the fifth episode of FX‘s The Lowdown, amateur investigator Lee Raybon finds his personal life and dangerous investigation colliding with the arrival of an old friend. The episode, titled “This Land?”, sees Lee and his former business partner, Wendell, uncovering a suspicious land deal that appears to connect directly to gubernatorial candidate Donald Washberg. Their investigation leads them to a company called White Elk LLC and straight into the crosshairs of armed men, proving the conspiracy is more dangerous than Lee imagined.
A Chain of Violence and a New Mystery
The episode continues to explore a connected string of murders. It is established that men named Blackie and Berta first tried to kill Dale Washberg. After they failed, a man named Allen killed them for their failure. Now, Allen himself has been gunned down in broad daylight. While the original victim, Dale, did not seem to know his killers personally, his death set off this violent chain of events. The shadow of Donald Washberg looms large over the killings, though the full extent of his involvement remains unclear.
Lee’s teenage daughter, Francis, is the one who brings him the news of Allen’s death, having cut class after seeing it on the news. Lee becomes concerned about how deeply involved his daughter is becoming in his risky investigation and tells her it is too dangerous for her to be a part of it.
The Complicated Return of Wendell
Lee’s solitary mission is interrupted by the arrival of his old friend, Wendell, played by Peter Dinklage. Wendell has come to Tulsa for their annual “Jesus Day,” a ritual to memorialize a friend who died from an overdose. Their friendship is strained, built on a history of shared pain and current resentments. Wendell immediately serves as a critical mirror for Lee, warning him that his selfish actions are going to get someone hurt, specifically Francis.
Wendell warns Lee that he’s going to get Francis hurt by being selfish. He reminds Lee that he was supposed to check on their friend Jesus the day he died.
Despite his cynicism, Wendell is drawn into Lee’s investigation. When Lee mentions he is struggling to locate a piece of land called Indian Head Hills—a plot that was central to the argument between Dale and Donald Washberg—Wendell boasts he can find it in under two hours.
Uncovering a Shady Land Deal
The two men embark on an intelligence-gathering tour across Tulsa. Their first stop is the Skiatook Municipal Courthouse, where Wendell charms a clerk into giving them an old atlas. Using it, they locate Indian Head Hills and drive out to the remote plot, only to find a “No Trespassing” sign posted by White Elk LLC.
Their discovery is almost interrupted when a truck pulls up and armed men with machine guns get out, forcing Lee and Wendell to hide. The threat is real, and Wendell is finally convinced Lee is onto something major.
They take their findings to a resourceful real estate agent, Vicky, who uncovers the details of the deal. She reveals that White Elk LLC is selling the Indian Head Hills land to another company called One Well for four times its market value, with no other bidders involved. Lee immediately recognizes this as a potential scheme to launder a bribe to a future governor.
A Tense Ritual and Personal Confessions
At the end of the day, Lee and Wendell hold their annual “Jesus Day” ritual in an abandoned parking lot, sitting around a bucket fire where they ironically burn books. They trade a photo of their late friend and confess what they are most ashamed of.
“I’m a mess,” Wendell says. Lee admits, “I, too, am a mess.” He confesses he has put Francis in danger and is going to lose his bookstore.
This rare moment of honesty reveals the deep loneliness and brokenness both men carry. Their friendship, while shaky, is still rooted in this shared history of loss and failure.
Betty Jo’s Peril and a Political Speech
Meanwhile, Donald Washberg’s wife, Betty Jo, finds herself in danger. Donald confronts her after seeing Lee leaving her house, accusing her of helping the journalist. In a fit of rage, he puts his fist through her kitchen cabinet before leaving with a gun. Frightened, Betty Jo wisely decides to go into hiding with Lee’s help.
Donald, meanwhile, is busy shaking hands at a meeting of The 46, a group of powerful men. A speech is given by Frank, who complains about sovereign Indian tribes, telling the all-white audience, “it’s not about race.” After the speech, Frank pressures Donald, telling him, “My buyer’s getting impatient,” hinting that there is a bigger, more powerful player behind the scenes than even Donald.
A Cliffhanger Confrontation with the Enemy
The episode builds to a dramatic climax. After helping Betty Jo plan her escape, Lee is suddenly arrested by the same cops who have been harassing him. Instead of taking him to jail, they deliver him to a chaotic and violent house party teeming with police and skinheads. People are revving chainsaws, lighting fires, and firing machine guns into the air.
Lee is pushed and pulled through the nightmarish crowd, with everyone seeming to know who he is. At the end of this hellish journey, under a gazebo lit a sinister red by explosions, he finally comes face-to-face with Donald Washberg, setting up a tense cliffhanger for the next episode.
Also Read: The Lowdown Episode 5: Lee Faces His Worst Enemy in New Episode
