Short on Cowboys
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Episode 4
| "Short on Cowboys" | |
|---|---|
| The Lowdown episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Macon Blair |
| Written by | Duffy Boudreau |
| Cinematography by | Christopher Norr |
| Editing by | Dane McMaster |
| Original air date | October 7, 2025 |
| Running time | 52 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Short on Cowboys" is the fourth episode of the American crime drama television series The Lowdown. The episode was written by co-executive producer Duffy Boudreau, and directed by Macon Blair, and aired on FX on October 7, 2025.
The series is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and follows self-styled "truthstorian" and bookseller Lee Raybon. As he struggles to form a steady relationship with his ex-wife and daughter, he begins to uncover a conspiracy revolving around a political candidate. In the episode, Lee tries to get close to Betty Jo to find more information, while Allen makes an investigation of his own.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.180 million household viewers and gained a 0.02 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, character development and twist ending.
Reading Dale's letters, Lee learns that his relationship with Donald was strained over the past few years. Dale's ranch was approached by two gunmen at night, who were forced to flee when Dale shot at them. Recognizing the cap they left behind, Lee concludes that Blackie and Berta were sent to kill Dale, and that Allen murdered them for failing to do so, after Dale had a heated argument with Donald a week before his death.
Samantha picks up Francis and informs a disappointed Lee that she is marrying Johnny. A mysterious loiterer sells Lee a drawing of Dale, while Elijah warns that Donald is suing the Heartland Press for publishing Lee's article, and that he could face a restraining order. Betty Jo realizes Lee is attempting to follow her, and takes him to breakfast instead. They open up to each other and spend a drunken night at a bar, before sharing a kiss and returning to the ranch. Meanwhile, Allen shares with his Alcoholics Anonymous group that he was saved from addiction by his boss, and learns that Bonnie and Phil were questioned by Lee.
At the ranch, Betty Jo explains that Dale had grown paranoid and was secretly gay, but was a loving father to Pearl. Dale's gun goes off while Betty Jo is playfully threatening Lee, who accidentally fires the gun himself when he picks it up. She reveals that Dale's breaking point was his argument with his brother, who let slip that Pearl was actually conceived from Betty Jo and Donald's affair. Lee sleeps with Betty Jo, but believes she is manipulating him, unaware Donald sees him leaving in the morning. Allen contacts someone for help covering up the skinheads' murder, but is soon shot in the neck by a one-eyed gunman. He attempts to drive away but crashes, dying in the process.
Production
Development
In September 2025, FX announced that the fourth episode of the season would be titled "Short on Cowboys", and that it would be written by co-executive producer Duffy Boudreau, and directed by Macon Blair.[1] This marked Boudreau's first writing credit, and Blair's first directing credit.[2]
Casting
The hitman that kills Allen at the end of the episode is played by Ty Mitchell, who previously worked with actor Scott Shepherd on the film Killers of the Flower Moon. Shepherd commented, "Ty was already a dear friend from hanging out in our downtime for that movie in Oklahoma, and so we were back in Oklahoma again [for this], and I was honored to be hunted by him."[3]