The Lowdown Recap: Dale’s Double Life

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A while ago, Betty Jo told Lee that the argument between Dale and Donald Washberg wasn’t actually about the land they were fighting over. She believed it stemmed from deeper issues – their rivalry, Pearl, and how a successful sibling can make another feel inadequate. Even when we found out last week that Indian Head Hills was involved in a strange real estate deal that could solve the Washbergs’ money problems, I still thought Betty Jo was being honest about what she understood to be the real reason for the conflict.

I was thrilled when Betty Jo, in the final moments of “Old Indian Trick,” proved to be just as clever as the men surrounding her. After learning from the talkative Lee about a hidden version of Dale’s will that would cut her and Donald out of the inheritance, she didn’t simply react with surprise. Instead, she proactively contacted Frank Martin, a somewhat questionable business partner of her late husband’s brother. This wasn’t a panicked response; it was a deliberate move to a backup plan – forming an alliance with someone influential who had a lot at stake.

While this episode has some major plot twists – including the discovery of a second will – it lacks the exciting tension of previous episodes of The Lowdown. Those earlier episodes thrived on the playful conflict between Lee and whoever he involved in his schemes. This week, Lee teams up with Deidra, a bookstore worker who mainly just finds him a bit uncool. Their exploration of Indian Tulsa includes a shop where Lee buys a somewhat awkward suede jacket from a friendly seller, and a community center where he’s jokingly called “Custer” – but it’s all in good fun. Lee is so self-conscious about being white in these situations that he stops being his usual assertive and inquisitive self. Consequently, everyone is nice to him, and his day is surprisingly smooth – which unfortunately makes for less compelling television.

This week, Donald has a much more dramatic storyline. After a disastrous cookout where he brought Lee, he lets the investigator go – but not before punching him for being with his girlfriend, Betty Jo, and threatening him with potential police interference. While trying to convince Lee to stop investigating Dale’s death, Donald accidentally reveals a new clue. He claims Dale committed suicide because he was involved with a gay Native American artist living on the streets. Even if Lee hadn’t just received a sketch of Dale from someone matching Donald’s description, he wouldn’t have listened. Warnings only motivate someone like Lee, who is eager to add “Mystery Indian. Maybe gay?” to his murder board with string and a pushpin.

With the Lee issue resolved, Donald resumes campaigning. Marty now acts as both his driver and security. Their first stop is a small, rural church called “One Well,” which also happens to be the name of the company offering the Washbergs a large amount of money for Indian Head Hills. Donald doesn’t notice this connection and isn’t even surprised that Pastor Mark—played by actor Paul Sparks—hasn’t invited any members of his congregation to the event. As Donald’s new head of security, Marty lets the candidate ride in the pastor’s camouflage-covered off-road vehicle, even though it has a rifle mounted nearby.

Mark is deliberately showing Donald around the One Well property, which has a view of Indian Head Hills, and it’s becoming clear why. Mark is the person who’s been pressuring the Washbergs, and the money he’s offering Donald isn’t just a simple bribe. He desperately needs the land to create a base for a group of recently released skinheads – men like Allen – who will help him take control. He’s planning to build a haven for violent, racist extremists on the same land that made the Washbergs powerful in Oklahoma. By doing this, he intends to fund Donald’s campaign and put the Washbergs back in a position of influence. Essentially, a vote for Washberg is a vote supporting white supremacy.

Later in the episode, Frank confronts Mark at the church, angry that Mark contacted Donald directly. Donald is now hesitant about the deal, but he was skeptical from the start – even when Frank questioned him about it last week. Like Donald, Frank doesn’t realize things have changed. Mark leads Frank to the burial site where he disposes of those who betray the One Well army – including Blackie, Berta, and Allen. He does this with his armed followers present, including Jimmy, who openly murdered Allen. Mark is no longer simply trying to purchase the land.

Frank, panicked and scared, rushes home to call Trip, hoping to stop the deal with the unstable pastor. However, Trip is actually funding the entire operation. Trip tells Frank they’re in a fight for the future of the country, and Frank seems out of his depth, like someone unprepared for this level of extremism. I doubt Frank will survive this without being discarded by Mark. Mark needs Trip’s money and Donald’s property, but he has no use for someone who can’t get things organized.

Lee spends the day visiting places in Tulsa with strong Native American connections – places where white people are tolerated but not necessarily welcomed, like the Indian store, community center, and a housing project. He’s trying to find Chutto, who Donald thinks played a role in Dale’s suicide. Deidra eventually gives Lee the lead he needs – Chutto is known within the Native American community, and his picture is even sold at the Indian store. However, Lee realizes showing up at the store as a white man looking for souvenirs would draw unwanted attention. So, he pays Deidra extra to go with him, hoping to appear as someone taking a guided cultural tour.

Sending Deidra to investigate alone would have saved Lee money. While Deidra skillfully gathered information, Lee was busy playing a game at the local Indian center. She eventually discovered that Chutto lived at an apartment complex called Whispering Pines. When Lee arrived, it was Chutto’s grandfather, Arthur (played by the well-known First Nations actor Graham Greene shortly before he passed away), who answered the door. Due to dementia, or perhaps simply because he couldn’t distinguish faces, Arthur confused Lee with Dale, a man he believed to be dead. Arthur’s confusion made him question his own memories, leading him to wonder if this was Dale after all, or if his grandson had been mistaken about Dale’s death.

Lee begins questioning Arthur about his connection to Dale, but Chutto (Mato Wayuhi) unexpectedly returns home and throws Lee out. This is surprising, given that Chutto originally approached Lee. On the porch, Chutto explains he met Dale while drawing portraits near a gay nightclub. Dale admired Chutto’s work but was too shy to go inside, and asked Chutto to draw him. This is the first time on The Lowdown we’ve seen a memory of Dale from someone else’s perspective. Chutto describes Dale as odd, but quieter and less open than how Dale usually presents himself.

Dale and Arthur formed an unlikely friendship. They discovered they had a lot in common, often spending time playing games and reminiscing about when Oklahoma was mostly open ranchland. Arthur eventually shared a surprising connection: his family had originally owned the land that became the foundation of the Washberg family’s wealth. It turned out Nathaniel Washberg had taken the land unfairly – he’d killed Chutto’s great-great-grandfather and forged the deed using the man’s thumbprint. Touched by Arthur’s story of loss, Dale changed his will to return his share of the land to Arthur and Chutto. He asked Arthur to keep the new will safe, and it’s remained hidden in the old man’s drawer ever since.

Lee is shocked by what this group is involved in and tells them to get lawyers. Chutto, however, anticipates problems with the will, and Donald will definitely challenge it – Betty Jo might as well. Dale didn’t intend to cause family conflict; he simply wanted to resolve his feelings of guilt about the land. Donald claims Chutto influenced Dale’s change of heart, but if Donald knows Dale was grappling with this issue regarding the Indian Head Hills property, it’s probable Betty Jo is aware of it too.

Early in the episode, Betty Jo tells the receptionist at the upscale Sunyata wellness retreat that she’s fleeing for her life. Lee suggested Sunyata as a safe haven, hoping the police – specifically Donald Washberg and his team – wouldn’t be able to find her. Betty Jo, stylishly dressed, claims someone is trying to kill her. The receptionist seems doubtful, but it’s hinted that many Sunyata guests are running from their own problems, though perhaps not in such a literal way. The retreat seems to cater to white women seeking a fresh start and a way to regain control of their lives.

Lee helped Betty Jo escape a difficult situation, and now he’s offering her a way to move forward. He contacted her on a hidden phone after she left Chutto’s, which will likely lead authorities right back to him – exactly what he was trying to prevent. Betty Jo then called Frank, who might reach Trip, who will then inform Mark about a problem at Whispering Pines that needs to be resolved.

Mark is quick to use Jimmy to handle problems, and Trip appreciates having someone like Mark to do the unpleasant tasks for him. However, Mark believes true power doesn’t come from connections or money – it comes from having the courage to live by your own rules, no matter the cost. Trip and Donald may not realize it yet, but they’re now essentially working for Mark.

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2025-10-22 05:56