Reviewer Rating: 4/5.0
4
Tyson was very lucky.
For now, Tyson remains a free man in conscience. He is not yet a killer. Teaming up with Dwight meant that possibility was always within reach, but now, he’s free of that guilt.
How long will this dynamic last amid such chaos?
Dwight’s loyalty runs deep – but at what cost?
The King of Tulsa Season 2 Episode 8 solidified one of Dwight Manfredi’s most powerful traits: loyalty. Dwight’s brand of loyalty is more than just lip service—it’s a core part of his identity.
“Under New Management” shows how he treats his crew like family, with Tyson being a great example of that.
Dwight saw something in Tyson from the beginning and maintained a close relationship with Tyson despite his youth and inexperience. But loyalty isn’t free, and Dwight made Tyson understand what it meant to be part of his inner circle.
Dwight didn’t sit idly by when Tyson made a reckless move that could have disastrous consequences.
In any other “family,” this kind of immature decision-making would be Tyson’s end, but Dwight operates differently.
Dwight makes sure Tyson understands the seriousness of his actions without abandoning him.
Particularly interesting is the contrast between Dwight’s team and the traditional mafia structure, where one mistake could result in a hit.
Dwight treats loyalty with a fairness that is rare in organized crime dramas. However, his dedication to Tyson and the rest of the team was limited.
If this continues to happen, we may see Dwight navigate a balance between supporting and allowing dangerous behavior—a balance he must master if he wants to survive in this chaotic web of alliances.
Of course, Dwight’s loyalty to the family he’s found doesn’t come without a price. His daughter Tina is withdrawing from his life, and he argues that this is to protect her from the chaos of his world.
However, it’s clear they have unfinished business and their strained relationship feels like a missed opportunity.
Tina’s character has such deep potential – she has courage and determination that would make her an ideal ally for Dwight, or at least a source of meaningful conflict.
But as it stands, the show seems intent on keeping its distance from her. Is this the last we see of Tina? I can’t help but wish there was more, especially considering how thin the Tulsa Kings’ female cast is.
Where are the women of the King of Tulsa?
Here’s the elephant in the room: Where are those busty women in “The King of Tulsa”?
Look at a show like “Yellowstone,” where Beth Dutton was the star, or “1883” and “1923,” where Dutton’s women held the line and shaped the narrative just as much as the men. Even in the female-led series Lioness, the focus on women is poignant and complex.
But in Tulsa, it’s a different story. Women are nothing more than set pieces and it’s really confusing.
We have Stacy, whose motivations seem to change with the wind; Manny’s wife Clara, who is written as a strong woman but is largely marginalized; and Tina, who is always one step away from the action.
The irony?
tulsa kings We could have benefited greatly from seeing a character with the same ruthless determination in Beth Dutton or the moral complexity of Dwight’s sister Joanne. But instead, we’re left with a “boys club” setting that doesn’t add anything fresh to the genre.
Even the FBI angle, which could have introduced a strong female antagonist or ally, defaults back to the male agent facing off against Dwight.
Imagine if a woman led the charge, taking advantage of her female connection to Dwight, just like Stacey did, taking advantage of his vulnerabilities.
The show is actually calling for a female character who is as layered and ambitious as a male.
A tangled web of betrayal and power struggles
Now, let’s talk about the power struggle that tore Dwight’s world apart.
Vince in New York focuses on Chickie’s side, Chickie gives advice to Dwight, and Bill gets upset over Cal’s mess with Jackie Ming Feel bloody.
This leads to chaos and at least one life has been lost. Rest in peace, Jimmy.
Each character is trying to pull the strings, but no one seems to understand how tangled the web has become. Of course, Dwight is caught in the middle, and he manages to keep his head above water.
Tyson thought Bill ordered the attack on Dwight, but it turns out the evil Jackie Min is behind the mayhem. Jackie is a wild card, unlike the other gangsters in Dwight’s world.
There’s a softer, more human side to most of these men, and that’s part of Tulsa King’s work – it’s gritty but with a hint of vulnerability in the characters. Where’s Jackie? He is ruthless and has no regard for other people’s principles of survival.
His presence brings a colder, more brutal element to the series, throwing everything off balance and putting everything we hold dear in danger.
He’s not just another villain; he’s a villain. He ruins the whole dynamic of the show and it makes me wonder how much longer he can keep going.
The ending keeps us guessing
Tulsa King seems to up the ante with every passing episode, and this one is no different.
Constant betrayals and shifting alliances keep you guessing, and it feels like we’re heading toward an explosive showdown.
Dwight faces threats from all directions – New York, Tulsa, and even within his own team.
If these people could swallow their egos for a moment, they might be able to find a way forward, but as it stands right now. Does the conversation between Carl and Bill suggest that this might be possible?
Manny’s latest heist at the casino is just another wrench in an already dysfunctional machine, so much so that the episode leaves us with one question: Who will come out on top?
Dwight’s position is more precarious than ever, and every choice he makes risks alienating everyone else in his life.
Watching him try to navigate this maze of betrayal and ambition, I can’t help but wonder who will be by his side when the dust settles.
The show keeps us on our toes, and just when we think we’ve got a handle on things, there’s another twist.
With everything going on, it’s safe to say that wherever Tulsa King takes us next, it won’t be boring.
Watch The King of Tulsa online
