Critic’s Rating: 4.25 / 5.0
4.25
Dwight Manfredi was downright heroic on Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 3. The state of Oklahoma, Cal Thresher, and Bill Bevilaqua are no match for The General.
Yeah, Dwight’s a criminal, but how can you not root for him when things go so wrong just because the guy is a success?
Sure, there is a lot to celebrate, but “Oklahoma vs. Manfredi” also builds an increasingly firm foundation for a rat in his organization. It’s a little scary!
The Trial
Let’s just jump into the meat of the episode because it might be the least significant development. Who would have guessed that?
Yet, as people join forces to either bring down Dwight or pump themselves up, that’s where we stand.
The trial, though, played out beautifully for Dwight.
Mock Trial
It’s worth mentioning the mock trial because it was so funny. I thought the show jumped right into the actual trial, but then he sounded a bit off-kilter.
Of course he was using his team as a potential jury. He relies on them — for better or worse.
Dwight: Hey! Is everyone fuckin’ high here?
Bodhi: What did you expect? You chose to have a mock trial in a weed shop.
Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 3 was particularly high on laughs, and the mock trial set the tone for the whole hour.
The Trial
Dwight may have gone through the legal process before and spent enough time behind bars to earn a law degree if he wanted to, but that doesn’t mean he’s an expert on the law.
There were objections and judge interjections, but none of it mattered. Dwight needed only one witness — ATF Agent Stacy Beal.
The Case Rests on Stacy Beal
Dwight’s approach to questioning is anything but formal or what the court expects. But it’s rather refreshing not to try tricking a witness. Dwight spoke right to Stacy’s heart.
The entire case rested on her shoulders as much as his, and he was right: It’s very important for the jury to know what happened.
His way of questioning made her comfortable on the stand, whether she wanted to admit it or not. While she didn’t admit to friendship, she did admit they confided in each other. She also took a bullet that was intended for him.
Dwight’s meandering line of questioning got to the fact that he might have wanted to do something nice for her, not in exchange for anything else, let alone a million dollars.
Is there a law that says it’s a crime to want to do something nice for somebody, even if they are an agent?
— Dwight
Blaming Dwight
Stacy may have stopped drinking and managed a complete personality makeover as we discussed for Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 1, but she still blames her plight on Dwight.
She asked for a transfer, and she got it — to Anchorage.
Maybe don’t ask for something if you’re going to pout about it afterward. Why DID she ask for a transfer, anyway? The ATF seemed fine with her sticking around. She wanted to leave out of an irrational fear of Dwight.
She considers both of their lives failures, but he disagrees. He also chided her for pretending that she was happy about his win.
But as she walked out that door on Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 3, I believed more than ever that she’d reconsider her choices so far and join forces with Dwight. Am I the only one who sees (or wants) that?
The Verdict
This is Sylvester Stallone’s show, so of course, he wasn’t going back to prison.
The judge called Dwight out on his exuberance when he was cleared, but that’s also a fresh take on a trial, where people tend to sit there like statues when they’re found guilty or innocent.
Dwight knew exactly who was pulling the attorney‘s strings, and seeing Cal’s reaction to the verdict was most excellent. He’s making moves on Manny, but Dwight is free, and Margaret told Cal to pound salt. That’s two wins.
Cal Makes Makes More Trouble for Dwight on Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 3
Manny’s Divorce
Things are going south for Manny.
Clara gets the house and the kids in his divorce while he gets supervised visits. She’s right about everything, given how things went down in his kitchen, but I can’t help but think that instead of blaming himself, he’s blaming Dwight.
And it is partly Diwght’s fault. Before he got out of prison, Manny was a happy, well-adjusted man. Not so much anymore.
All of this puts him in a precarious place and makes him ripe for turning on Dwight. Enter Cal Thresher.
Cal Flexes His Muscles for Margaret
Watching Cal flex his muscles was so embarrassing!
He bragged about being able to buy two horses and offered sympathies about Dwight. Cal thought Margaret and Dwight were an item. She wondered why he was so interested, and that’s when the real pain started.
Cal’s approach was anything but smooth. He pointed out they had known each other for a long time. When he asked, “What IS the problem anyway,” she pulled no punches. He’s just not for her. It’s been a long time, and he’s just figuring that out?
That riled him up and set the course for Cal’s continuing journey against the “greasy slimeball in a pinky ring.” Margaret’s response? “Honestly, there’s more class in that pinky ring than in your entire body.”
Making matters worse, she closed the door on Cal by asking him to talk with Armand from now on, putting Manny right in his crosshairs.
Manny Fell for the Cash
Sure enough, Cal made a call to pull Manny into his orbit, and instead of talking with Dwight about what he was going through and asking for help, he walked straight into Cal’s trap.
Manny shared his history but didn’t paint an exact portrait of his relationship with Dwight.
He owes $18 grand in child support and an undisclosed amount to Dwight. Yes, Manny sussed out that he was only there because of Cal’s ‘hard-on’ for Dwight, but when someone opens a draw and hands you $30 grand, it’s hard to look away.
Accepting that cash is as good as turning on Dwight. If it was another time and not before exiting the building after Goodie called him out back, Dwight might have thought a bit longer about Manny’s package of cash, evening their score. Alas.
Regime Change
Bevilaqua and Chickie conspired with Goodie about Bill paying a visit to Dwight on Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 3. In doing so, Goodie almost outed himself by really overreacting to a joke Mitch made about robocalls.
Chickie thinks it’s time for a regime change, and he wants Goodie to take over Oklahoma. But that’s unlikely to happen.
There are some very sour grapes being stomped because Dwight knows the key to success — his treatment of others. I’m sticking with that. He’s utterly unique in that regard.
Belivaqua’s Visit
Well, that visit didn’t go as Bill planned.
Bill was shocked that Pete never mentioned his business before sending Dwight to Tulsa, especially since their arrangement dates back years.
But Dwight paid that no mind. Tulsa is his now. Nothing really belongs to anyone unless they’ve got the balls to take ’em, and Dwight is swinging his around.
Bill wasn’t deterred, but he demanded a piece of whatever Dwight had cooking, starting with the club. Dwight pointed out the obvious — until Dwight proved he could make something from nothing, Bill (and anyone else) didn’t pay any attention to Tulsa.
Dwight: I say this with all due respect because I know what you’re capable of, but I’m not trying to build anything here; I am building something here. And I really don’t have anything to offer you, Bill, except a plate of spare ribs for the ride home — our speciality
Bill: You got a sense of humor.
Dwight: Sometimes.
Bill: I don’t.
Dwight: Yeah, well, I’m sure you got other qualities.
Chickie Puts a Hit on Dwight
Did Chickie put a hit on Dwight and ask Goodie to set it up, or was Dwight just supposed to get a beatdown? I was a little lost on that one, but either way, how can Goodie stick around after that?
Mitch was already on notice after an awkward exchange with Goodie, and the antics behind the Bred-2-Buck would have to give him further pause.
Even Dwight looked a little confused about being called out back.
But then Goodie took a different approach. Was Goodie playing both sides and saw an opportunity to step up for Dwight, or did he choose that route to prove his allegiance to Dwight while still in Chickie’s pocket?
Goodie is playing with fire. How long before he gets burned?
Wesley, the Vice Chair of the Homeowner’s Association
Look out, world, Dwight is moving to the suburbs! Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 3 took the man out of the city. Poor Wesley had no idea what he was in for with his new neighbor.
Dwight’s garage door was open for over 20 consecutive minutes. The drivers blocked the mailbox, too. The first offense is $100. There is an appeals process, but most people choose not to go that route.
His trash receptacles were overflowing — they had just moved in! The lids had to be entirely closed because it was unsightly. If Dwight’s restraint and humorous approach to Wesley isn’t proof that he is different from the competition, then what is?
It’s garbage; it’s supposed to be unsightly. That’s why people throw it away, Wesley.
— Dwight
The look on poor Wesley’s face when he discovered who he had been playing with was just as good as Cal’s angry reaction to the verdict. That neighborhood is going to change quite a bit now that the Manfredis are in town.
The Eames Chair
I would give my eyeteeth for an Eames chair! But I can’t mock Dwight’s desire for a classic Barco lounger, either
Dwight: Form follows function. Have you ever heard that expression? I don’t know what form this thing is following, but it’s not functioning for me, that’s for sure. I don’t see myself in this chair just drinkin’ a beer.
Tina: Well, I’ve never seen you drink a beer in my life.
Dwight: That’s beside the point. And you never know.
Mitch Gets His Groove On
If others on Tulsa King hope to stab Dwight in the back and take over his enterprise, Mitch wants to work with Dwight to lift them both up.
He’s serious about buying the car lot, and they even joked about names — Dwight Manfredi’s Autorama or The General Motors.
Mitch is eager to take things to the next level. He’s got a very good plan that includes hedging their bets against a small loan. Meeting him when he arrives in Tulsa could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to Dwight.
I enjoyed his chat with Goodie about writing lyrics and how, depending on his mood, they flow freely or get plugged up — happy lyrics take forever, but when it rains, it pours.
The girls are going to be talking about Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 3! When we talked with Garrett Hedlund, we asked if we’d see some more of his music, and he didn’t disappoint. Mitch was singing his heart out and dancing like no one was looking.
Remember when I mentioned Tina and Mitch possibly being an item? Tina took special notice of Mitch as he entertained. They really might get a little thing going!
Dwight Sealed the Deal
Dwight got the happiest ending, though. He wound his case, and Dwight and Margaret took things to the next level.
But it’s impossible not to worry about people in his orbit. Cal and Chickie have been working overtime to bring down Dwight, and while Bill was still considering working with Dwight when he left their meeting, I think we can say that ship has sailed with the gift at his front door.
How are you all enjoying the season so far? Why not share your thoughts in a comment below? I’d love to know what’s on your mind.
Watch Tulsa King Online
