by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
There are some Hollywood show runners, directors, and producers who become must-see viewing by audiences. Directors for movies that I will go see no matter what include Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, and Rian Johnson. With TV, it’s a little more tricky than that, as they usually have a creator or show runner who is calling the shots. The closest I can think of was Ryan Murphy or Mike Flanagan. Taylor Sheridan is becoming one of these show runners, and his stuff is becoming must-see television.
It’s easy to understand why Taylor Sheridan shows are successful. To me, they’re like soap operas for dudes. There’s crime, drama, violence, and a colorful cast of characters. Tulsa King has all of these in spades, and is anchored by a dynamic and complicated character named Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone).
The story of Tulsa King starts with Dwight’s release from prison after serving 25 years for murder. Once released, Dwight is promptly banished from New York to Tulsa. It’s not exactly clear why Tulsa was chosen as the place for his banishment, but his task is clear: Make the most of the opportunity. In Tulsa, Dwight partners up with a few different characters, including Bodhi (Martin Starr), a marijuana dealer, Tyson (Jay Will), a taxi driver turned personal driver for Dwight, Manny (Max Casella), a former associate now living in Tulsa, and Mitch (Garrett Hedlund), an owner of a bar where Dwight becomes a regular.
Say what you will about Stallone as a performer, but Tulsa King is his best performance since Creed. This is a completely unleashed Stallone, one in which I feel like he got to say whatever he wanted, and the directors just yelled cut when they thought they got the right take. It’s easy to pinpoint Dwight as a typical mobster who is looking to make the most of his banishment to Oklahoma. Although he is all of those things, Dwight also has nuance to him that you don’t see with other mobster characters like this. He knows the life he’s been in isn’t great, and he is starting to make the most of his situation. He cares a lot about the people around him, and he manages to build a family out of the people he meets in Oklahoma. His estranged family still means a lot to him, and he’s filled with a lot of regret about how he’s treated them.
Starr, Will, Casella, and Hedlund also do some career-best work. I especially like Hedlund, whose performances I don’t normally give props to. Mitch is a fascinating character — he’s an ex-convict and ex-rodeo star who drops everything he has going for him to work with Dwight. I’ve always been a fan of Starr, and this role is against his type. He’s hardened and is generally a straight man. He still manages the smart Alec comment, but he still plays a strong character. I haven’t seen much of Casella, but how he and Dwight become entangled together is equal parts funny, strange, and amazing. Will is a cautionary tale. He’s someone who’s seduced by the life of free-flowing money, and the allure of making a name for himself. His parents struggle with his decision, and they’re worried that he’s squandering his potential on a life that could lead to his destruction. Tyson is the character that I’m most concerned about and most intrigued about moving forward, because he’s the one with the most to lose.
There is one character I’m on the fence about and that’s Stacy (Andrea Savage). She meets Dwight during his first few nights in Tulsa, and they become friends quickly. She has a traumatic backstory and is struggling with the weight of life events like her job and her divorce. She makes a lot of self-destructive choices. I’m puzzled by how out of sorts Stacy is, and am wondering what the angle was. Savage’s performance is good and her chemistry with Stallone is great, but I just wondered what she was doing as a character.
From a story standpoint, Tulsa King is filled with a lot of conveniences and random things working out for Dwight that probably shouldn’t have. Yes, a lot of issues with the show are solved with violence, so if that is something that triggers you, think hard about whether this is something you want to watch. However, things just work out for Dwight as a character, which at times is a little frustrating. The New York mafia Invernizzi family has stereotypical mafia bosses, all of whom are violent, demanding respect, loud, and rude. I did enjoy how Dwight makes the most of his situation in Tulsa, and how he manages to make a family out of this group.
The main conflict comes from a local biker gang led by Caolan Waltrip (Ritchie Coster). As the leader, Caolan is terrifying and smart. He’s well-connected and untouchable in all the necessary places. He’s also extremely violent and has a short temper. Caolan clashes with Dwight because he is moving in on his territory. Coster is great with his performance, which is not an easy task considering he goes toe-to-toe with Stallone. Although this story is a secondary plot, it becomes a primary plot later on when Dwight’s business venture is threatened in Tulsa. I wasn’t a huge fan of how it ended, but I still found it engaging and entertaining.
Tulsa King is a textbook definition of guilty pleasure. The violence and drama make for a fun, intriguing show. The ending of the season is a kick in the teeth because as you think it’s going to be a semi-happy ending, the rug is pulled completely under you. It hopefully will set up an interesting Season Two. Stallone is outstanding in the role, and the supporting characters are amazing. Taylor Sheridan has another hit on his hands, and I’m gunning for a Yellowstone crossover event in the future. Until then, I’m excited for more in Tulsa, and to see what Dwight makes of his new situation.
Score: 7/10
Tulsa King is currently streaming on Paramount+
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