The Lowdown is, by necessity, a more limited undertaking [than Reservation Dogs] that nonetheless succeeds on its own terms. Like Rez Dogs, it’s kinetic. Both shows mix humor, philosophy, and principled outrage, riding the roller coaster of daily life in a world of stunning beauty and glaring injustice instead of conforming to any prepackaged TV format.

Though The Lowdown wears its influences on its sleeve—think Shane Black’s The Nice Guys, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, and pretty much any Coen brothers movie—it never comes off as derivative. That’s because it’s steeped in specificity, from the production design (you may want to pause scenes in the bookstore to read the spines of vintage paperbacks) to the world-building. Every character on the show feels realized, even if we only see them in glimpses.

Harjo and Hawke, also an executive producer, completely nail the vibe “The Lowdown” is going for. .... The destination of “The Lowdown” isn’t half as fun as the journey. .... Only five of the eventual eight episodes were screened for critics, so I can’t say where “The Lowdown” goes. I can state for a fact, however, that it’s a pleasure to watch it get there at its own leisurely pace.

Ultimately, “The Lowdown” emerges as a witty, soulful noir that’s as much about family as it is about conspiracies.

The Lowdown is also quite the showcase for Harjo’s creative vision. His world-building is lush enough to smooth over however you may feel about Lee’s rough edges, and his gift for seamlessly weaving together his expansive cultural appetites gives the show a kind of referential heft that feels inviting as opposed to alienating.

While there are a lot of crime-thriller references in “The Lowdown,” the virtues of the eight-part season (only five of which were available to review) are more about plausibility and performances. Also, propulsion.

Rather than trying to pad out its mystery, The Lowdown works toward one of television’s most worthwhile pursuits: establishing a setting and cast of characters that the viewer looks forward to spending time with. Like a good pulp paperback, the series draws you in with the confidence of its vision and the sense that wherever the plot may lead, it’ll certainly be a good time.