BASED on REAL PEOPLE: “Murdaugh: Death in the Family.” / “The Lowdown.”

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“Murdaugh: Death in the Family” (Hulu) true crime drama, based on the “Murdaugh Murders Podcast” by Mandy Matney, who investigated and blogged about the unfolding case and was often the first to reveal new information. 



       This series, although the intermittent dim lighting distracted me, is an interesting watch. The case was a popular headline drama in 2021. A prominent South Carolina lawyer was the prime suspect in the murder of his wife and son. 

       Insistent questions crowd my head about the guy's perplexing behavior or how the media coverage (including Ms Matney's) reported the murders and how the police investigation unfolded. Maybe those are not brainers? Anyhow, this series navigated those plot points but I am still wanting, of course.

       Never mind though. The life of this show is Jason Clarke's crafty performance.

       As Alex Murdaugh, Mr Clarke is an unforgiving face of small-town corruption, unmoving patriarchal glee in the house as husband and dad, and confused guilt as a murder suspect or perpetrator. Jason channeled all those with ease, restraint and control. 🎥💻📽


“The Lowdown” (Hulu) comedy crime thriller, created by Sterlin Harjo, and stars Ethan Hawke. Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the series features a man "who knows too much” and is loosely inspired by historian Lee Roy Chapman (1969 – 2015). Mr Chapman was a public historian, citizen journalist, activist, and artist whose research reshaped contemporary understanding of Tulsa, Oklahoma's racial history.


       In this oblique show from the same dude who brought us the “Reservation Dogs,” Mr Hawke is Lee Raybon, a “truthstorian.” But this little pulpy mischief isn't about a “contemporary understanding” of Tulsa's racial history. That's a heavy stuff for Sterlin to bother with. 

       “The Lowdown” concerns some mystery about a “sale” of Indian land and the mysterious death of a white man. But not too serious, okay? Etc etcetera. Meanwhile, the entire shenanigan is woven around Ethan's swagger and Pacino-inspired overacting. But still enjoyable to watch. This is an Ethan Hawke showtime, you dig? Plus Mr Harjo's Indian jokes work for a few laughs. 🎥💻📽

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