The Tulsa King finale, “Jesus Lizard,” wraps up with Dwight Manfredi back on top, saving the day like it’s second nature.
Honestly, as someone who’s been riding along with Dwight (Sylvester Stallone) since Tulsa King Season 1, it’s both satisfying and frustrating.
Dwight breezes in to rescue Joanne, teams up with Samuel L. Jackson’s Lee, and finally puts Dunmire in his place after Cole spills the kidnapping secret.
I won’t lie, when Jackson showed up and said, “Let me have the teddy bear on the top row, please,” I actually cheered in my living room.
I love Dwight’s swagger as much as anyone, but compared to Taylor Sheridan’s other hits like Mayor of Kingstown or Landman, Tulsa King felt like it stumbled a bit this year.
Still, knowing Season 4 is coming, I’m clinging to hope that the show will tighten up its storylines and give us the chaos we secretly crave.
What Went Wrong With Tulsa King Season 3 Finale
Tulsa King Season 3 often felt like it tried to juggle too many storylines and ended up dropping several along the way.
Characters I cared about seemed to fade into the background, while other arcs received uneven attention.
Watching Dwight achieve victory after victory was satisfying, but it also left me wishing the show had thrown him a real challenge for once.
For fans who invest in every twist and character beat, the lack of follow-through in certain storylines was disappointing.
I found myself leaning forward in frustration, muttering to my screen, “Are we really just going to leave this hanging?”
Missing Arcs That Tulsa King Needs to Address
Bevilaqua and Cleo Montague are prime examples of how Tulsa King dropped the ball this season.
Bevilaqua was last seen in Agent Musso’s custody in Tulsa King season 3 episode 6, then completely vanished, leaving his fate unexplored.
Cleo, whose father owned the distillery and was burned alive by Dunmire (Robert Patrick) on Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 1, appeared sporadically, mainly to check on Mitch, and otherwise disappeared.
Considering the trauma she endured and the potential for revenge arcs, this was a huge missed opportunity in Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 10.
Personally, I kept thinking about what could have been, and I know many fans felt the same.
Tulsa King Season 4 needs to make these characters’ journeys meaningful, or it risks leaving the audience feeling shortchanged.
Tulsa King Season 3 Finale’s Lack of Real Tension
Even the much-anticipated showdown with Dunmire failed to deliver the edge-of-your-seat tension it should have.
Dwight, Mitch, and the crew purchase illegal weapons in broad daylight with little consequence, and Cole conveniently betrays his father, handing Dwight the keys to victory.
Watching it unfold, I couldn’t help but think, “Where’s the real danger?” It’s hard to get invested when the threat level feels so muted.
If Tulsa King wants to keep us on the edge of our seats in Season 4, it needs to make victories earned rather than handed to Dwight like a participation trophy.
Samuel L. Jackson’s NOLA King Steals the Spotlight
No conversation about Tulsa King Season 3 would be complete without talking about Samuel L. Jackson.
His character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., brought an energy and swagger that injected life into the later episodes.
That one line on Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 9, “Let me have the teddy bear on the top row, please,” instantly became a fan-favorite.
Watching Jackson and Dwight interact, trading strategy and wit, reminded me why crossovers in the Sheridan universe are so effective.
I don’t know about you, but I could watch them argue for hours if it meant getting more of that dynamic energy on screen.
Tulsa King Season 4 has a golden opportunity to build on this pairing and take the show to the next level.
Tulsa King Season 3’s Side Plots That Deserved More
Several supporting arcs deserved far more attention than they received this season.
Quiet Ray, arguably the most compelling villain of the year, barely made an appearance before the episode ended.
Bodhi and Grace’s romance fizzled before it even started, while the spotlight on Spencer and Cole felt random and unnecessary.
These underdeveloped threads left me, and I’m sure many of you, wishing for more cohesive storytelling.
Season 4 has the chance to fix these issues, but it needs to approach the narrative with sharper focus and a sense of purpose that Tulsa King Season 3 often lacked.
What Tulsa King Season 4 Should Focus On
Looking ahead, Tulsa King Season 4 needs to hit a few key targets. Storylines should be more streamlined, with fewer abandoned subplots and tighter pacing.
Dwight’s victories need to carry real weight, so we can feel the consequences and triumphs instead of watching them glide by.
Supporting characters should be given arcs that matter, adding depth to the world rather than fading into the background.
The show needs a steadier tone, so we’re not jolted from campy to grim mid-episode. Personally, I’m especially excited to see what Thresher will do as Tulsa’s new Governor.
His rise could challenge Dwight in ways we haven’t seen before, and Margaret’s subtle interest in him only adds to the tension.
Tulsa King Season 4 has a chance to fix the missteps of Season 3 and deliver the payoff fans have been waiting for.
Despite its flaws, Tulsa King remains a series I genuinely enjoy. Now, I want to hear from you.
Are you hoping Thresher becomes the ultimate antagonist? Do you think Dwight will finally face a defeat that actually hurts him where it hurts?
And how excited were you when NOLA King entered the scene?
Drop your theories, frustrations, and wild predictions in the comments.
I’m ready to debate and see who has the craziest take. Let’s get talking because I can’t be the only one shouting at my TV here.
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