The Lowdown Season 1 Episode 4 Ending Explained – The Washberg Family’s Secrets Finally Exposed
FX’s The Lowdown continues to peel back layers of deceit and small-town secrets, and Episode 4 (“Short on Cowboys”), which aired on October 7, 2025, delivers the show’s biggest revelations yet. What began as a quiet investigation into a mysterious death now explodes into betrayal, forbidden love, and murder — all centered around the tragic Washberg family.
Here’s a full breakdown of the shocking ending, including what really happened between the Washberg brothers and how a secondary storyline takes an unexpected, deadly turn.
What Happened Between the Washberg Brothers
The fourth episode finally unravels the mystery behind the Washberg brothers’ feud, shifting the show’s focus from land disputes to something far more personal. Investigative journalist Lee Raybon discovers that Dale Washberg’s death wasn’t driven by money or property — it was fueled by family betrayal and buried truth.
After digging through Dale’s letters and notes, Lee suspects that Betty Jo, Dale’s widow, might have more to hide than she lets on. His attempt to tail her leads to an awkward yet revealing encounter — one that changes the course of his investigation.
Following a night of heavy drinking and emotional conversation, Betty Jo finally confesses the truth: the real reason Dale and his brother Donald Washberg were fighting wasn’t about land ownership at all. It was about Pearl, the daughter everyone believed was Dale’s.
In a stunning revelation, Betty Jo admits that Pearl is actually Donald’s biological daughter, the result of a romance she shared with him before her marriage to Dale. When their families disapproved, she was pushed to marry Dale to cover up the pregnancy. For years, the secret remained hidden — until Donald revealed the truth during a heated argument shortly before Dale’s death.
This emotional confession reframes the entire series’ premise. Dale’s death now seems less like a random tragedy and more like the climax of decades-long deceit and family manipulation.
Betty Jo’s Revelation and What It Means
Betty Jo’s confession also brings a new vulnerability to her character. For much of the series, she was portrayed as a guarded, possibly manipulative figure. Episode 4 softens that image. Her guilt and exhaustion are palpable as she explains how years of lies destroyed both brothers — and may have led directly to Dale’s death.
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In the morning after their emotional night, Betty Jo insists to Lee that she has no intention of exploiting or blackmailing the Washberg family. She clarifies that the Washbergs aren’t wealthy — they’re emotionally broken, not financially powerful.
This twist changes the show’s tone from a standard whodunit to a deeper psychological drama, one about love, shame, and the devastating cost of family secrets.
Allen’s Death – A Shocking Side Plot Twist
While Lee’s investigation and Betty Jo’s confession dominate the episode’s emotional core, another subplot reaches a brutal conclusion.
After several episodes of erratic behavior, Allen — one of the series’ darker, more violent figures — meets a violent end. His scenes depict a man on the edge, attending Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, reflecting on his past crimes, and seeking redemption.
But his downfall comes swiftly. In a tense closing sequence, Allen makes a desperate call to an unknown contact, asking for help disposing of the two bodies he killed earlier in the season. Instead of help, he’s betrayed.
As he waits at a red light, a silenced gunshot pierces his neck. In a panic, Allen tries to escape but crashes his car as the shooter fires again. Passersby find him dead — a grim end for a man who once seemed poised to become the show’s primary antagonist.
Allen’s death underscores how The Lowdown operates: no one is safe, and no character’s arc is predictable. His abrupt exit also suggests that a larger conspiracy is at play — one that even Lee Raybon might not be equipped to handle.
The Bigger Picture – Lee’s Investigation Takes a Dangerous Turn
By the end of Episode 4, Lee has made significant progress in understanding Dale’s death, but he’s also unknowingly stumbled into deeper danger. Betty Jo’s confession provides emotional clarity, but Allen’s murder hints at an unseen network of violence surrounding the Washberg family’s secrets.
Lee’s curiosity, once his strength, may now be his downfall. The more he uncovers, the clearer it becomes that Dale’s death is connected to a larger web of corruption and power — one that reaches beyond family drama and into the heart of the town itself.
Themes and Symbolism
Episode 4 cements The Lowdown as more than a mystery — it’s a commentary on how truth corrodes relationships just as much as lies do. The revelation of Pearl’s paternity symbolizes the damage of generational deception. Meanwhile, Allen’s death represents the futility of violence and how easily pawns are discarded in a world built on power and secrets.
The episode’s title, “Short on Cowboys,” reflects its theme perfectly — everyone wants to play the hero, but there are no true saviors in this story, only survivors.
Performances and Direction
Alicia Witt (as Betty Jo) delivers a career-defining performance, balancing vulnerability and moral ambiguity. Her scenes with Garrett Hedlund (Lee Raybon) feel raw and charged with regret, creating some of the series’ most emotional moments.
Director Scott Frank continues to maintain the show’s signature noir tone — dusty visuals, deliberate pacing, and sudden bursts of violence that hit like a sucker punch.
FAQs About The Lowdown Season 1 Episode 4
1. What is the biggest reveal in Episode 4?
Betty Jo reveals that Pearl, long believed to be Dale’s daughter, is actually Donald’s, explaining the brothers’ deadly feud.
2. Who killed Allen?
The identity of Allen’s killer remains unknown. The murder implies a larger criminal network that may connect to Dale’s death.
3. Does Lee Raybon know the full truth?
Not yet. He’s only beginning to grasp the depth of deceit in the Washberg family, but Episode 4 suggests he’s dangerously close to uncovering too much.
4. Will Pearl learn about her real father?
The episode doesn’t confirm it, but the revelation seems inevitable — and could ignite even more drama in future episodes.
5. Where can I watch The Lowdown?
The Lowdown airs on FX and is available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
Conclusion
The Lowdown Season 1 Episode 4 is a turning point that redefines the series. By shifting from mystery to personal tragedy, it delivers one of the show’s most emotionally charged episodes yet. With the truth about the Washberg brothers finally revealed and Allen’s shocking death shaking the narrative, the stage is set for even darker twists ahead.
What did you think of Betty Jo’s confession and Allen’s fate? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on InvestRecords.com!