Warning: Spoilers ahead! If you haven’t watched The Lowdown season 1 episode 4 yet, turn back now. For those ready to dive into the drama, buckle up—this episode delivered jaw-dropping twists that completely reframe Dale’s death investigation and the entire Washberg family mystery.
The fourth episode, titled “Short on Cowboys,” premiered on October 7, 2025, on FX, and it’s safe to say it changed everything we thought we knew about the Washberg brothers’ relationship and what really sparked their fatal conflict.
The Lowdown Season 1 Episode 4: Air Date & Streaming
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Episode Title | Short on Cowboys |
| Air Date | October 7, 2025 |
| Network | FX |
| Previous Focus | Dale’s death mystery |
| Episode Focus | Washberg family secrets & new twists |
| Key Development | Major conspiracy revealed |
Betty Jo’s Shocking Confession: Pearl’s True Paternity
Here’s where things get wild. Lee Raybon, our journalist protagonist, has been piecing together clues from Dale’s personal notes and letters, suspecting Betty Jo might have played a role in his death. After bungling a surveillance attempt—seriously, he’s terrible at tailing people—Betty Jo catches him red-handed and takes him out for lunch instead of calling the authorities. What happens next is pure television gold.
The two end up drinking heavily at a bar, and after several tequila shots, things escalate quickly. They kiss, go back to Betty Jo’s place, and continue their night. During their intimate conversation, Betty Jo finally opens up about the real reason Dale and Donald fought before Dale’s tragic death.
The bombshell? Pearl isn’t actually Dale’s biological daughter—she’s Donald’s! Betty Jo reveals she was in a committed relationship with Donald before their family objected to their union. When Betty Jo became pregnant, they decided to have her marry Dale instead, presenting Pearl as his daughter. For years, the secret held until Donald, during their explosive final argument, revealed the truth about Pearl’s paternity to Dale. This revelation was the real catalyst for their fight, not the disputed Indian Head Hills land everyone assumed was the issue.
Allen’s Shocking Death: A Larger Conspiracy Unfolds
Just when you thought the episode couldn’t get more intense, Allen’s storyline takes a terrifying turn. After three episodes of being presented as a major antagonist, Allen’s fate proves he’s merely a pawn in something much larger and far more sinister.
Allen, desperate to solve his skinhead problem, makes a mysterious phone call seeking help disposing of two bodies. However, instead of assistance, he receives a meeting location. Tragedy strikes at a traffic light when a silenced gunshot pierces his neck. Allen barely escapes but crashes his car moments later after additional shots ring out. He’s found dead by passersby, his life ending as meaninglessly as it was lived.
This chilling death exposes a significant gap in Lee’s investigation—he’s completely unaware of this larger conspiracy and potentially incapable of handling what’s really going on behind the scenes.
What This Means for The Lowdown Season 1
Episode 4 transforms the entire narrative. The investigation into Dale’s death becomes exponentially more complex, with multiple layers of family secrets now exposed. Donald’s motive for conflict escalates from a land dispute to discovering his daughter has been raised by another man for years. Meanwhile, Allen’s death suggests outside forces are manipulating events, raising crucial questions: Who killed Allen? What’s their connection to Dale? And how does this conspiracy connect to the Washberg family?
The episode brilliantly sets up future episodes, leaving viewers desperate for answers while expanding the mystery beyond a simple family murder into something far more dangerous and intricate.
Watch The Lowdown Season 1 on FX
Dive deeper into the mystery by streaming The Lowdown on FX and experiencing these shocking revelations yourself. Each episode peels back another layer of family drama and dark secrets.
For more updates on The Lowdown and other FX series, check out TechnoSports’ complete entertainment coverage and stay tuned for episode recaps, breakdowns, and exclusive insights into your favorite shows!
FAQs
Q1: Does Betty Jo have anything to do with Dale’s death?
A1: Betty Jo’s confession reveals she wasn’t directly involved in Dale’s death. However, her secret about Pearl’s true paternity was the real trigger for Dale and Donald’s fatal argument. While she didn’t kill Dale, her decades-long deception provided the emotional ammunition that sparked the confrontation between the brothers.
Q2: Who killed Allen in The Lowdown episode 4, and why?
A2: The episode doesn’t explicitly reveal Allen’s killer’s identity or full motivations. However, it’s clear Allen was disposed of by someone connected to a larger conspiracy he unknowingly became part of. His death suggests external forces are manipulating events in the Washberg case, making the investigation far more complex than a simple family murder.
