Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 5. It’s been a whirlwind of a time for Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone) and crew in Tulsa King’s third season. They’ve gained new partners (the Montagues, yay!), new enemies (Dunmires, booooo), and new business ventures (rare bourbon comin’ atcha) — but their new partner was burnt alive by their new enemies in the premiere. They’ve uncovered a 50-year-old rare stash of bourbon worth millions, had it all entirely stolen, and got every barrel back, all in the span of one episode. A dozen crises later, the Montague Distillery is finally open for business. Dwight should expect retaliation, of course, because Jeremiah (Robert Patrick) isn’t one to take a loss or back down from a fight. For now, however, Dwight’s in full celebration mode and anticipating a bit of a boozy victory lap. Bodhi (Martin Starr) and Grace (McKenna Quigley Harrington) succeeded in their plan to pull in buzz for the Fifty, with numerous publications attending their launch party. Bigfoot (Mike “Cash Flo” Walden) can sculpt ice! (Nomenclature update: an ice association makes him a Yeti, not Bigfoot, but I digress.) Cut to Dwight leisurely lounging in bed with Margaret (Dana Delany), and he asks her how things are going with “the man with X-Ray eyes.” He means Carl Thresher (Neal McDonough), of course, and she laughs the pettiness off. Margaret suggests Thresher should attend the distillery opening, a win-win of sorts for both gentlemen, despite Dwight’s trepidation. Cut to Vince (Vincent Piazza) calling Bill Bevilaqua on behalf of Quiet Ray (James Russo), who would like a follow-up on his chat with Bill at the end of Episode 4. Bill hates being pressured and only respects straightforward dealings, so he wraps the call by telling Vince, “If Quiet Ray has an issue with Dwight, Quiet Ray should call Dwight. That’s the right thing to do, not this dumb conversation.” For at least a moment, there appears to be honor among thieves — well, mobsters.
Dwight Gives Tyson a Pep Talk in ‘Tulsa King’ Season 3 Episode 5

Scarlet Rose Stallone in Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 5Image via Paramount+

Back at the home of everyone’s favorite Dixie psychopaths, Cole Dunmire (Beau Knapp) approaches Jeremiah, desiring retaliation for Dwight taking him hostage and recovering the Fifty. “You get the boys together, about eight or so. We might be cracking some heads or something along those lines… when you notify the men, you can run along ’til I need you,” he says dismissively. Jeremiah also meets with the Attorney General to inform him that there’s an event that “shouldn’t be occurring.” He wants the AG to crack down on Dwight Manfredi, mostly because he’s “taken a good time in my life and turned it into a bad one.” Jeremiah makes it clear he underwrote the AG’s campaign and demands the AG send an inspector to shut Manfredi’s event down, or “if you don’t, it’s gonna get really bad for them. And you.” Now, with Tyson (Jay Will) and Dwight prepping to head to the event, the former asks Dwight what his “sauce” is, the secret to landing someone as much of a catch as Margaret. “Humor and breath mints,” Dwight retorts. Back at Dwight’s bar/casino, the Bred-2-Buck Casino & Cabaret, Cole is chatting up Spencer (Scarlet Rose Stallone), the barista whose abusive beau he chased off prior. He’s pleased to find out the man never returned, commenting, “I did something right,” and insinuating he may consider moving away… it really seems like Jeremiah’s indifference to his possible execution has left a mark. Spencer welcomes Cole back any time. Elsewhere, Tyson drives Dwight to the event, asking Dwight about his “definition of a man.” After a little banter, Tyson cuts to the chase, musing, “What am I all about, man? What’s my value here?” He’s thinking about how his father gives, but he takes, and about his recent mistakes with the crew. “How could I be so stupid, so weak, to be played like that?” Dwight responds, “You were stupid and weak, but that happens; that’s how learning is done, by mistakes.” Dwight gets serious, telling Tyson he shouldn’t be so hard on himself, and that he doesn’t “need to ‘man up,’ ’cause you’re a man to me.” A little more of a pep talk, and Tyson has his groove back.
Dwight Keeps Getting Interrupted in ‘Tulsa King’ Season 3 Episode 5

Dwight’s finally arrived at his big event, and Joanne (Annabella Sciorra) welcomes Dwight to the distillery with open arms. He compliments her capacity for interior decorating, and Bodhi begins to explain the calculations around their profitability. Dwight is informed that Bill Bevilaqua (Frank Grillo) is around, and takes his leave to have a private conversation. “We have some serious sh*t happening, Dwight,” Bevilaqua says, explaining that Vince has been calling about the bourbon operation. “You and me, we’re in business together, so what’s your plan for dealing with these animals?” Dwight says to give it time, and Bill chides him for being so casual. “Quiet Ray wants me to turn on you, capisce?” What’s worse, one of his spots was raided. “I don’t care about Quiet Ray or the feds,” Dwight says, “or any threat, real or imagined… this is f*cking big for me. This could be the greatest opportunity of my life.” Bill reminds him that, if there’s a war, and they lose, there’s no opportunity, leaving Dwight pondering how “fortune favors the bold” before leaving. Dwight gets an immediate call from his bomb-making contact… the bomb is ready, but must be picked up immediately. Dwight doesn’t want to leave the launch party, but he receives a call from Special Agent Musso (Kevin Pollak) telling Dwight he’s been listening in and to take the meeting. Dwight has other plans, but confirms a meeting with the bomber at his casino/saloon. En route, Dwight has another heart-to-heart with Tyson, this time with an edge. “People don’t get what they deserve; they get what they attract.” Tyson clarifies whether he’s talking about karma, but Dwight rants further. “You think this life you’re trying to live here is so special, and powerful, and real, well, there’s gonna come a dark check that’s due.” Well, that’s ominous! At the casino, Dwight rendezvouses with the Watchmaker, who explains that he digs deeply into any prospective clients and admires that Dwight spent 25 years in prison, before explaining that he needs details about the target and its size… and that he wants a hefty sum up front. Dwight names Jeremiah Dunmire, gets up, and goes to his safe to pay in cash. “You’re not a fed, are you?” the Watchmaker says on the way out. “Just kidding,” he winks. “Poor joke.” Back at the event, Mitch clocks Bill’s men standing guard in force. He asks the KC mobster, “Your boys look like they’re about to do something stupid.” Bill asks what he means. “You looking to start a war, Bill?” Mitch inquires. Bill says he’s just protecting his investment. Before Dwight arrives, a smug, crooked inspector named Leery arrives, throwing his badge around, and the team has to accommodate him.

Bigfoot looking at Dwight who has his back to the camera in Tulsa King.Image via Paramount+ 

Carl Thresher arrives with Margaret, and she heads out to look for Dwight (still en route). He seems panicked at the thought of dealing with the public without her (he wants to be Governor?), but she heads out nonetheless. The inspector heads down to the barrel room housing the 50, Goodie (Chris Caldovino), and Bigfoot in tow, making up infractions as he goes along. Mitch tells Cleo (Bella Heathcote) to say something to the gathered booze-loving masses. Elsewhere, the visiting inspector peers at the base of a stack of barrels to examine “an infestation,” when Bigfoot ducks behind the barrels. “There’s more than enough crap right here to stop the proceedings,” the inspector says, prompting Goodie to ask him what it’s going to take for him to look the other way. Leery states he’ll be reporting the attempt to bribe a state official, and Bigfoot pushes a barrel that triggers a few falling right on Leery’s head. It’s a gruesome sight, and the corrupt official doesn’t make it. “What the f*ck?” Goodie proclaims. At the distillery’s debut, Cleo tells the crowd how touched her father would be. “He fought tooth and nail to keep his craft alive, to maintain his integrity, to defend his work and his legacy until his final breath.” Mitch has joined Bigfoot and Goodie in looking at the dead inspector, and plans to attribute it to him fumbling in the dark, alone… a simple accident, backed by a lack of witnesses. Elsewhere, Jeremiah Dunmire angrily confronts the Attorney General about where the inspector is. Assuming foul play, Dunmire plans to bring the entirety of his muscle. At the launch, Dwight finally arrives with Tyson, and he’s proud. He toasts Bigfoot, Mitch, and Goodie, none the wiser about the trouble they’ve gotten into. Thresher finally recognizes the presence of Bevilaqua, notes it’s not a good look for a prospective Governor to be seen with known regional gangsters, and bounces. Cue sirens, and the AG, Dunmire, and an entire posse pull in to interrupt the launch.
Jeremiah Crashes Another Shindig in ‘Tulsa King’ Season 3 Episode 5

Beau Knapp in Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 5Image via Paramount+

Dunmire takes advantage of the chaos to speechify to the gathered journalists. He shouts how Dwight has “basically stolen what is mine… this bourbon was cooked up by a formula that I created with this girl’s papa,” and that the night belongs to him. At Jeremiah’s command, Cole takes an axe to a barrel of the Fifty as Spencer looks on in disapproval. Literally everyone draws weapons… Bevilaqua’s men, Dunmire’s crew, and sheriffs (but not Dwight’s posse — he makes a lot of enemies for a man with very little security). Dunmire orders his thugs to disperse and tells Dwight that the Attorney General is a “good friend” who “sees it all from my side,” bragging about how he ruined the launch and that’s all anyone will write about. (It’s the oldest trick in the book: Dunmire called the cops to interrupt a party because he wasn’t cool enough to be invited.) After he’s left, Joanne says that their reputation is ruined, to which Dwight turns around to address the morose crew. “Now, if you think we lost, that means you think he won. That’s never gonna happen.” He sends everyone home, tells them that they’ll come back stronger than before. Mitch, Goodie, and Bigfoot take Dwight discreetly to the barrel room to see the squished inspector, and Dwight tells them they can’t get rid of him. They’ll let Bodhi unknowingly discover it in the morning and call it in, pretending it was an accident. Cut to Dwight sitting alone, at home, in the dark, just to get a knock at the door. It’s Bevilaqua, who is concerned with Dwight’s disappearances, and Bill’s people caught Dwight’s meeting with the Watchmaker. Bill chides Dwight. “You’re greedy,” he says. “You want a bigger piece, you don’t want to share.” Bill asks if he’s “talking to somebody he shouldn’t,” and Dwight angrily asks if Bill’s accusing him of being “a f*cking rat,” putting a gun to Bill’s chest. “I didn’t say those words, you did,” Bill calmly replies. “You gonna pull the trigger?” He asks Dwight to think about it this way: “the shoe’s on the other foot… my foot, you’re seeing what I’m seeing, and I wasn’t giving you answers… what would you do? You kill me?” He says, “I know you would, no hesitation. But I didn’t,” and leaves. Later, at a stoplight, Bill’s vehicle is swarmed by two SUVs full of federal agents armed with assault rifles. Who has been targeting Bill? Will the Montague Distillery recover? And how will Dwight retaliate, now that Dunmire has disrupted his all-important event? Will he end up using that bespoke bomb to destroy Dunmire’s home like he burned down the Montagues’? We’ll find out!

Release Date

November 13, 2022

Network

Paramount+

Showrunner

Dave Erickson, Terence Winter

Directors

Allen Coulter, Benjamin Semanoff, David Semel, Guy Ferland, Joshua Marston, Kevin Dowling, Lodge Kerrigan, Jim McKay

Writers

Joseph Riccobene, David Flebotte, William Schmidt, Taylor Elmore, Tom Sierchio, Regina Corrado, Stephen Scaia, Terence Winter

Pros & Cons

We’ve seen Jeremiah Dunmire be intimidating, but we finally see the extent of his political reach, adding successful layers to the problems he poses for Dwight and co.
A lot of well-written character development happens in this episode, both in Tyson’s continued self-discovery and regarding Dwight’s ambitions for a legal empire.
While Episode 4 moved too fast through issues, this episode took a more careful pace, and it paid off by adding unresolved tension and allowing richer character work.

There isn’t a lot of finality in this episode, which was more devoted to spinning new plates than to resolving existing crises.