Reviewer Rating: 4.4/5.0
4.4
In King of Tulsa Season 2 Episode 9, unlikely alliances and shifting loyalties set the stage for a battle against a greater threat.
Strategic thinker Dwight Manfredi teams up with Bill Bevilaqua and Cal Thresher to take on a new adversary—a move that’s both surprising and dangerous.
As these men come together and the rift in their relationship deepens, the episode takes us through a rollercoaster of trust and betrayal.
The addition of Native American allies, led by the mysterious Old Smoker, brings another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. Taylor Sheridan, known for his profound portrayals of Native American characters, gave the episode a unique feel that elevated the story.
As past tensions bubble beneath the surface, it becomes clear that this alliance is both fragile and powerful, making every interaction fraught with the potential for explosive outcomes.
But if you thought “Triad” was just about competition and alliances, there’s more.
As Dwight’s loyalty to his makeshift family is tested, so is Tyson’s – and the lines between choice and coercion become blurred.
This review breaks down the episode’s key moments, uneasy alliances, and what this latest twist could mean for Dwight’s crew as they prepare for a tumultuous finale.
Sometimes you must join forces with unlikely allies to take on greater threats
In King of Tulsa Season 2 Episode 9, Dwight Manfredi, Bill Bevilaqua and Cal Thresher formed a The restless “Triad” come to destroy dangerous enemies. This temporary truce is full of surprises, intertwined with intrigue, chaos and a strange friendship.
But as the episode ends and Chicky heads to Tulsa, the alliance feels tenuous. Of course, it won’t be that simple for rival factions to put aside their differences and work together.
The episode opens with a funeral – a serious reminder of what’s at stake. Here, the Native American tribe joins forces with Dwight, Bill, and Carl to add depth and layers to the story.
The appearance of Old Smoke (Graham Green) hints at a potential long-term collaboration with a story that’s just getting started. Green’s presence connects Tulsa King to Taylor Sheridan’s ongoing depictions of Native Americans Yellowstone and its prequels.
Hearing Old Smoak refer to Dwight as “Da White” is priceless – a humorous moment in the tense narrative.
An alliance with the Native American tribes made sense on multiple fronts, including their own financial security relative to Dwight and his allies.
Yet even with so much at stake, the lines remain blurred—as is Bodhi’s ambivalent stance on Jimmy’s fate. After Jimmy’s local friends come to pay their respects, Bodhi gains a glimmer of forgiveness, although he is haunted by guilt.
Meanwhile, Manny approaches the border with a bag of cash, but decides to go to Dwight, hoping for mercy and forgiveness.
The editing builds suspense here, with an unexpected twist as Manny arrives on Dwight’s doorstep. His decision to return marked a possible turning point – one I didn’t see coming, but in hindsight it all makes perfect sense.
The proceedings are methodical, almost playful, with Dwight’s conversations with Joanne casting a shadow over his post-prison choices.
Their bromance is a highlight here, with Joanne grounding Dwight as he grapples with decisions that only seem to lead to darkness.
Deal with complex situations and hidden agendas
In a way, Dwight is ready to go after Bill, just as Bill himself realizes he has to stop things before everyone is consumed by chaos.
Dwight may think he’s reached a dead end, and Manny’s appearance isn’t the rescue he was hoping for – but Manny’s information offers a way forward, holding the key to a fragile alliance.
It’s fascinating to see how Manny (who’s usually not the bravest of guys) brings Dwight, Bill, and Carl together to give himself a glimmer of mercy.
It was also a revelation to see Carl’s close connection to Margaret Ranch. He had hoped to convince Margaret to intervene in Dwight’s affairs, a strategy that might have seemed hopeless—but Carl didn’t know Dwight as well as we did.
For Dwight, violence is a last resort, not a first resort. The launch of this program felt like a paradox—one that seemed destined to collapse, but somehow held together.
And then there’s Manny’s audacity, even though he’s anything but fearless, who visits Jackie and sets the whole thing in motion.
I was shocked by the cruelty of his brazen insinuation that Margaret Ranch was an ideal ambush location. Manny’s action didn’t make any sense at the time, but it emphasized the chaos at the heart of the episode.
Tactical ambushes and uneasy celebrations
As Jackie and his crew approach the ranch, there is an almost surreal calm before the storm.
They tiptoe toward the barn, only to encounter three of Dwight’s allies and an unexpected army of Native Americans in a perfect ambush – a scene worthy of the Dutton family’s experience.
It’s a creepy, satisfying twist that ends with Dwight giving Tyson the weapon to kill Jackie. Tyson was once a reluctant member, but he crossed the line, made his first kill, and fully integrated himself with Dwight and his crew.
The act was a sobering moment. Tyson’s family just welcomed him back, and now, with blood on his hands, his bond with Dwight and the crew is unbreakable.
That’s the kind of connection the Duttons expect from their brand of ranchers — a loyalty that’s both powerful and limited. Tyson’s nameless initiation makes me uneasy. While this was purposeful, it felt calculated and manipulated to make him a pawn in this cruel game.
Where should we go from here?
As the episode ends, we have an unexpected sense of dread.
Chicky’s arrival is particularly important, providing Dwight with the opportunity to reunite with the Invernizzi family. But Dwight’s world has changed, and it’s hard to imagine him reintegrating into society after everything that’s happened.
Would this alliance still have happened if it had been Kiki on Dwight’s doorstep instead of Manny?
Joanne’s role in Manny’s redemption and Underworld’s success is also noteworthy. Without her, this project might have been ruined before it even started. It’s an explosive penultimate chapter that leaves a lot of questions as we head toward the finale.
Will Dwight finally be given the wiggle room to turn this shaky alliance into a more permanent one?
Bill’s grudging respect for Dwight suggests he’s open to a more collaborative future. Carl, on the other hand, now knows his place, but where does he go from here?
The question of whether this is the last we’ll see of death and betrayal remains unanswered, but one thing is clear: the ending promises more ramifications to come for this uneasy trio.
Share your thoughts on this incredible episode below, and don’t forget to join me to discuss it all after King of Tulsa Season 2 Episode 10.
Watch The King of Tulsa online
