The first season of Tulsa King marked a successful debut for Paramount+, with Sylvester Stallone stepping into his first major TV role. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind Yellowstone, the series promised a unique blend of mobster drama and small-town chaos. However, the production of its second season has been anything but smooth. Behind-the-scenes turbulence, including the departure and eventual return of showrunner Terence Winter, left its mark on a season that struggles to deliver on its potential.
The Cult of the Invincible Stallone
From the outset, Tulsa King has been a vehicle for Sylvester Stallone’s larger-than-life persona. The second season doubles down on this, framing Dwight Manfredi as an almost mythic figure. Whether he’s outsmarting his enemies, navigating legal battles without breaking a sweat, or commanding loyalty from everyone around him, Dwight is portrayed as an untouchable hero.
Yet, this overindulgence in hero worship strips the character of depth. The show glosses over Dwight’s dark past as a gangster with blood on his hands, opting instead to present him as a charming, loyal, and morally upright leader. Even when his actions veer into questionable territory, the narrative seems determined to justify them. For instance, a scene early in the season has a character declare that they’re all part of a family with Dwight as their leader—a not-so-subtle nod to Stallone’s self-styled “General.”
Outdated Values and Missed Opportunities
Much of the tension in Tulsa King arises from its juxtaposition of modern society with Dwight’s old-school values. Unfortunately, these moments often feel heavy-handed and outdated. Scenes mocking progressive ideals or caricaturing modern institutions seem designed to highlight Dwight’s “traditional” worldview, but they come across as clumsy rather than insightful.
The series continues to lean into themes of revenge, honor, and resilience, but it does so at the expense of nuanced storytelling. Attempts to inject humor or self-awareness into the narrative—like Dwight’s interactions with his daughter Tina—are overshadowed by the show’s relentless focus on portraying him as infallible. Tina, for instance, remains loyal to her father despite the danger he brings into her life, a dynamic that could have been explored more thoughtfully but instead feels shallow and one-dimensional.
Supporting Cast in the Shadows
The supporting characters in Tulsa King largely exist to orbit Dwight, with little room for independent development. Figures like Bodhi (Martin Starr) are underutilized, while female characters such as Stacy (Andrea Savage) are either infantilized or framed as betrayers. These portrayals don’t just feel dated—they actively undermine the show’s potential for rich character dynamics.
The second season does attempt to inject emotion into its narrative, particularly in a brief but poignant exchange between Dwight and Tyson’s father. Yet moments like these are few and far between, overshadowed by a lack of meaningful stakes. By painting Dwight as invincible, the series robs itself of suspense or genuine conflict.
A Season Lacking Tension
Given its premise—a war over drugs, territory, and power—you’d expect Tulsa King to deliver nail-biting tension. Instead, the season feels oddly flat, with conflicts that are quickly resolved or dismissed. Even the addition of new adversaries, played by Frank Grillo and Neal McDonough, fails to inject much-needed energy into the narrative.
The finale’s cliffhanger does little to reignite interest after a meandering nine episodes. Whether the show’s struggles stem from Terence Winter’s departure, Taylor Sheridan’s overcommitment to other projects, or Stallone’s influence on the creative direction, the result is a season that feels unfocused and uninspired.
Final Thoughts
While Tulsa King Season 2 expands on its central themes, it ultimately falters in execution. By prioritizing Stallone’s persona over meaningful storytelling, the show sacrifices tension, character depth, and relevance. The result is a season that, while occasionally entertaining, fails to capitalize on the promise of its premise.
For fans of Stallone, Tulsa King may still offer enough charm to hold their attention. But for those seeking a compelling narrative or fresh take on the mobster genre, Season 2 falls short. The series is now available to stream on Paramount+. Whether you’ll want to buckle up for another season may depend on how much patience you have for its uneven storytelling.