Coming off the back of several underwhelming episodes, the final episode in Taylor Sheridan’s Tulsa King season 2 had some big boots to fill. Although the finale doesn’t quite succeed in leaving an indelible mark on the medium of television, one thing that this episode, and the show in general, has got continuously right is Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight.
While Dwight has proven to be a lot more humane than some other notable gangsters in fiction, which helps his character to stand out, the finale does briefly touch on his coldness, proving why he is the rightful king of Tulsa.
The Finale Briefly Sheds Light on Dwight’s Ruthlessness in Taylor Sheridan’s Tulsa King
Although Reconstruction did tie up a lot of loose ends, a lot of it was pretty underwhelming, whether it be Thresher’s exit or Chickie’s death. Even though the New York mafioso getting shot mid-sentence was arguably the most shocking bit of the episode, given that his character had little development over the course of the season, it didn’t exactly hit hard.
On the flip side, it did showcase Dwight’s coldness as a gangster, as he didn’t even flinch at the sight of Chickie getting killed by Bill. Moreover, this further implies that Sylvester Stallone’s mafia boss might’ve been involved in Bill’s plan to take Chickie out, as the New York gangster has long been a hindrance for Dwight. As for Bill, it was hinted that he was aware of the fact that Chickie killed his father, which might’ve pushed Frank Grillo‘s character to potentially plan Chickie’s fate with Dwight.
If true, this further adds to Dwight’s competence in the criminal underworld, which is reasonable given his decades-long experience.
Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Isn’t the Next Tony Soprano
Despite being a potential criminal mastermind, Sylvester Stallone‘s Dwight isn’t comparable to another mafia icon, Tony Soprano. Terence Winter, who is responsible for helming both the shows, once detailed that, unlike Tony, who was prone to sociopathic tendencies, Dwight, at heart, is much more reasonable.
He shared (via Screen Rant):
I think Dwight, at heart, is a rational, reasonable guy. He’s not a bully. I mean, a lot of mob guys in real life are bulls in china shops. I think Dwight in general, will be respectful to people until he feels that they don’t deserve that, and then the other shoe drops. He’s thoughtful in the sense that he actually thinks about the world. He’s had plenty of time in prison to reflect on his choices.
With the second season ending on an enthralling cliffhanger, it’ll be interesting to see how Dwight’s story unfolds in the next potential addition to the show.