Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Back in the Saddle

The second season of Tulsa King picks up right where the first season ended, with Dwight Manfredi (played by Sylvester Stallone) being taken into custody for bribing ATF agent Stacy Beale (portrayed by Andrea Savage). However, his time behind bars is brief, as Dwight is scheduled to appear in court the next morning.

A classic Dwight move—mixing his street smarts with a bit of compassion. It’s intriguing how he quickly takes Harlan under his wing, offering survival tips in exchange for the information about the energy scam. Dwight’s knack for assessing people and situations seems to be in full swing. The fact that he’s also handling prison conflicts by taking out the attacker shows his blend of strategic thinking and tough-guy persona.

Harlan’s situation with the wind farm scam adds a layer of complexity. It’s a smart plot device to introduce a new character with a high-stakes background, potentially leading to future schemes or alliances. I’m curious to see if Harlan’s story will intertwine with Dwight’s larger plans outside of prison, especially if Harlan’s knowledge or connections might be leveraged in some way.

Dwight’s reaction to the $3 million bail is classic—he’s used to dealing with high stakes, but even he seems taken aback by the amount. Tina stepping in to use her mortgage as collateral adds a personal and emotional layer to the situation. It not only highlights her commitment to her father but also reinforces the stakes for Dwight.

The fact that Tina is willing to risk her home shows the depth of their family bond and the seriousness of Dwight’s situation. It also suggests that Dwight’s actions have significant repercussions on those close to him, reinforcing the theme of personal sacrifice and family loyalty.

Dwight confronting Stacy face-to-face after their fraught history was a powerful scene. His approach, mixing intimidation with a genuine acknowledgment of her impact on him, reflects his complex character. It’s clear that, despite his criminal background, Dwight has a deep sense of respect and values honest interactions, even if they’re wrapped in his own brand of intimidation.

Stacy's reaction, moving from fear to a sort of stunned respect, adds depth to her character as well. Dwight’s honesty about feeling something because of her actions and his acknowledgment of her being used by the ATF give the scene a poignant, human touch. It’s also intriguing that

Dwight is trying to understand and respect her in a way that’s unusual for someone in his position.

This interaction could set the stage for interesting developments in the courtroom and in Dwight's relationship with Stacy. It suggests that Dwight’s respect for her might influence his legal strategy or how he handles her in the future. It also adds a layer of personal stakes to the legal conflict between them.

Chickie Invernizzi (Domenick Lombardozzi) in Brooklyn is alerted to the potential threat from other gangsters and families sensing a power vacuum, which could lead to challenges to his leadership of the family. Vince Antonacci (Vincent Piazza) is eager to confront their adversaries.

Meanwhile, at the casino, Goodie (Chris Caldovino) receives a call from Jerry Izzo (Joseph Riccobene), the individual who informed Chickie about the power vacuum. However, when Goodie answers the call, he finds Chickie on the other end. Chickie explains to Goodie that because he remained in Oklahoma, there is a perception circulating that he is vulnerable. To dispel this notion, Chickie makes Goodie listen as he fatally shoots Jerry in the head.

The developments in this episode are setting up a lot of intriguing dynamics and potential conflicts. Dwight’s push to “up their game” and bend the rules like politicians shows his ambition to elevate his operations, moving beyond mere street-level crime to something more sophisticated and potentially more profitable. The conversation about the fine line between being a businessman and a criminal reflects a deeper exploration of the moral ambiguities in their world.

Bodhi’s new marijuana store and his use of advanced security and technology mark a significant shift towards high-tech operations in the criminal world, contrasting with Dwight’s more traditional methods. Dwight’s plan to leverage government subsidies to complete Harlan’s wind turbines and use them to power their hydroponic weed farm demonstrates his vision for creating a more sustainable and lucrative operation.

Margaret Deveraux’s charity event introduces a new layer to Dwight’s social and business interactions. Her invitation and the sponsorship by Cal Thresher, a major figure in the medical marijuana industry, suggest potential opportunities for alliances or partnerships. It’s also likely that Dwight’s presence at the event could lead to new connections or conflicts, especially given Thresher’s prominent role in the marijuana business.

The intersection of these plotlines—the push for more sophisticated criminal operations, high-tech marijuana ventures, and potential new alliances—could lead to a complex web of relationships and conflicts.

Dwight’s decision to tell Manny to leave the charity event underscores his focus on maintaining a polished image in front of influential people. Given the high stakes of mingling with wealthy and powerful individuals, Dwight knows that any misstep could have significant repercussions. Manny’s behavior, especially given his personal turmoil and debt, is seen as a liability in this context.

Manny’s situation adds a layer of personal drama and complexity to the story. His drunken state and emotional confession reveal his struggles and make him a more sympathetic character, despite his mistakes. It’s clear that he’s dealing with a lot—family issues, financial problems, and his debt to Dwight.

Dwight’s reaction to Manny is pragmatic but also highlights his no-nonsense approach to business and personal issues. While he shows no patience for Manny’s problems in this setting, it’s evident that he’s still a part of a broader web of personal and professional connections that could impact future events.

Manny’s departure from the event might also set up future conflicts or storylines, especially if his personal and financial issues come back into play. It will be interesting to see how Dwight’s decision to cut him off affects Manny’s trajectory and how it influences Dwight’s relationships with others in his circle.

The tension between Dwight and Cal Thresher is palpable. Cal’s direct confrontation with Dwight, labeling him as a pretender and an opportunist, highlights the brewing conflict between their interests in the marijuana business. Cal’s warning and Dwight’s response set the stage for a high-stakes rivalry. Dwight’s confidence in feeling threatened suggests he’s prepared to escalate things if necessary.

Bill Bevilaqua’s reaction to Cal’s call shows that the power dynamics in the criminal world are more intricate than they might initially appear. Bill's annoyance indicates that Dwight’s increasing prominence in the region is rubbing some people the wrong way, particularly those who see his expansion into their territory as a direct challenge. Bill’s dissatisfaction could be a precursor to more significant conflicts or alliances.

The headline of the Tulsa Star Journal, with Dwight’s picture and the dramatic “The Mob comes to Tulsa” tag, adds a layer of public scrutiny and media attention to Dwight’s activities. This kind of press coverage can increase the pressure on Dwight and potentially complicate his operations by drawing more attention from law enforcement, rival gangs, and the general public.

Overall, these developments set up multiple layers of conflict and tension: Dwight’s face-off with Cal, Bill’s discontent, and the added pressure from media attention. Each element introduces new challenges and potential for intrigue.

How do you think these escalating tensions will influence Dwight’s strategies and relationships with other characters going forward?

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