Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 2 Review: The Fifty

Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 2, “The Fifty,” proves once more that the strongest belief Manfredi holds is that of family. While Joanne has been around since the beginning of the show, this season sets the tone for her to be at the center of the action.

The voice of reason behind a very temperamental brother, Joanne knows what the game is about and isn’t afraid to take control. She is also not intimidated by the men who show up pretending to know more than she does (cough Bevilaqua cough), because she knows how to stand her ground. She also does her research, putting her one step ahead of everyone else.

Joanne’s involvement with Manfredi’s business is more public this time around. Her connection to the weed store seems to be pushed to the back burner when she becomes the distillery’s boss. If we are honest, Manfredi wouldn’t be able to handle all his simultaneous businesses without his sister by his side.

The connection and loyalty Manfredi feels to his people, his family, are what set him apart from an enemy like Jeremiah Dunmire.

Only two episodes into the season, viewers and Manfredi can tell how crazy for power Dunmire is. Manfredi says it himself, Dunmire’s actions make him sick. This is an incredible statement coming from someone who wasn’t afraid to kill the competition. But Dunmire goes a step too far, making Manfredi disgusted with the game he knows too well.

Manfredi’s only blood relative in the business is Joanne, but Dunmire has involved his son, Cole, in his game. Unlike Manfredi, Dunmire doesn’t care about Cole or his associates. For him, what matters most is the money and the power.

This is made extremely clear on Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 2, “The Fifty,” on two occasions. The first one is when Cole returns home from trying to kill Mitch. He failed and got a wound to prove it. Instead of taking care of his son, Dunmire disapproves of his actions and burns his wound.

The second one is when he tells Manfredi he will come for everyone he loves. Manfredi states that the money doesn’t matter, but if Dunmire hurts his people, he will pay for it.

Even though with only two episodes Dunmire has proven to be the worst enemy we’ve ever had to watch Manfredi fight, his lack of caring and connection might be his downfall. Manfredi’s people are willing to fight for him because they know he cares. Can Dunmire say the same about his people?

One quick glimpse at Tulsa King will make any viewer realize it’s a crime drama. However, a closer and more attentive look reveals that the humor written into every word is the soul of the show.

The incessant and at times unnecessary cursing, along with the sarcastic comments, are at the core of what brings the show to life. This is specifically because those little details make the characters feel more real.

But it is also in those sarcastic comments and familial banter that the viewer can appreciate the tight bond this group of misfits has. They can joke around with each other because at the end of the day, they know when the bullets start flying, they will have each other’s backs.

As tired as Bodhi might be of the dangers of the business, he is glad this particular Italian brought the breadsticks to the game, if you know what I mean.

Tulsa King Season 3 is setting out to be a very intense season. It seems Oklahoma isn’t ready for the war that is about to break out between Manfredi and Dunmire.

But in the meantime, it is nice to see that Tyson’s parents still care about what happens to him despite the incident with his father. Even though Tyson believes he knows what is best, there’s still a lot for him to learn.

The fact that he tells his dad that brands and labels are what make him someone in the world tells us he is far from being mature enough for the game he is trying to play. And it is important that his father points out he isn’t there because of the labels, but because his mother cares about him.

Stray Thoughts

• Armand still being a problem that Goodie needs to deal with will probably bring more trouble down the road. Especially now that New York has called Bevilaqua, and he has promised to call them back.
• Cole saving Spencer outside the bar might lead to the connection that either puts an end to Dunmire’s empire or helps him beat Manfredi.

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Tulsa King airs Sundays on Paramount+.

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