The third season of Tulsa King storms back with a gripping premiere, picking up right where the chaos of Season 2 left off. The finale had Dwight forging an uneasy alliance with Bill, ceding half of his earnings to avoid bloodshed, while Cal abandoned the game entirely after Ming’s violent spree went too far. But just when Dwight thought the storm was calming, the FBI raided Margaret’s house, dragging him into a cell where he faced a new enemy - Special Agent Musso. The Season 3 opener wastes no time in throwing viewers back into this dangerous balancing act, as Dwight’s freedom is compromised and every alliance is tested.
Musso’s Grip on Dwight
The episode begins with Dwight locked in a dark room, only to be confronted by Special Agent Musso. The first thing on Dwight’s mind is Margaret, and Musso assures him she is unharmed. But pleasantries vanish quickly when Musso reveals the real score: Ripple, the man Dwight killed decades ago, wasn’t just any thug, he was Musso’s informant. That killing cost Musso dearly, and he’s carried the grudge ever since. Dwight’s years behind bars did little to change the man, and Musso rattles off his sins: igniting a biker war in Tulsa, cutting down Chickie, Ming, and countless others, and pulling regular citizens like Bodhi, Tyson, and Mitch into a web of crime.
Musso makes his terms plain. Dwight is no longer a free man; he’s now a tool for the FBI. Whenever Musso calls, Dwight must act, whether the task is legal or not. Failure means jail not only for Dwight but also for his loved ones and allies. With no room for negotiation, Dwight is abruptly released, dumped back into Tulsa with more chains than before. His first reunion is with Bigfoot, who seems oblivious to Dwight’s absence. Strikingly, Dwight’s rugged look shows time has passed, perhaps months, perhaps a year, his once-sharp style now unkempt. Whatever the timeline, the leash Musso has clamped on him is unmistakable.
A New Threat Emerges
Dwight wastes no time seeking Margaret at her farm. He explains just enough about Musso to warn her off, effectively breaking things off to protect her from the looming storm. But peace is short-lived. A call comes from a man named Ray, who threatens Dwight’s grandchildren if he refuses to meet. With Goodie arranging the encounter, Dwight sits down with Ray, who pitches him an offer; the chance to claim his own territory in New York, a long-denied prize from the Invernizzi family. Dwight, firmly rooted in Tulsa and unwilling to bow to manipulation, rejects the deal. Ray’s veiled demand for a cut of Tulsa’s success only hardens Dwight’s resolve. Offended, Ray tries to press, but Dwight strides away.
The Distillery Deal
Meanwhile, Mitch is running Car City with Fred, though his heart clearly isn’t in it. His spirits lift when Cleo Montague, an old flame, returns to Tulsa. Cleo brings troubling news: her father, Theo, is planning to sell their family distillery to Jeremiah Dunmire, a rising Tulsa gangster. The sale feels less like business and more like coercion. Mitch, eager to help Cleo and rekindle their bond, pushes Dwight to consider buying the distillery instead. At the Bred 2 Buck Saloon, Dwight voices his fears to Margaret, insisting that she distance herself from the violence that’s coming. Steadfastly, Margaret refuses to abandon him; their conversation cements her role at his side, even if it means danger. Mitch then pitches the distillery idea. Though Dwight recognizes the risks, he agrees to think it over, aware that Jeremiah is no ordinary rival.
Jeremiah’s Shadow
The Montague estate becomes the stage for the next showdown. Dwight, joined by Mitch, Goodie, and Bigfoot, approaches Theo directly. Dwight’s intent is clear: he wants to negotiate fairly, offering security and shared profit. But Theo’s hands are tied. Jeremiah has already cornered him into an unofficial deal, relying on fear rather than contracts; his son Cole lurks at the yard sale, eyes sharp, ensuring Jeremiah remains informed. Dwight sees the truth; the Montagues are trapped, and breaking Jeremiah’s grip won’t be easy. Mitch is told a polite half-truth about progress, but Dwight privately admits the uphill battle. A spat between Cole and Mitch nearly boils over before Cleo diffuses the tension, but the rivalry between Dwight and Jeremiah is already simmering beneath the surface.
Bodhi’s Costly Mistake
Back at Even Higher Plane, business is booming under Joanne, Grace, and Bodhi. But Bodhi grows restless. Deliveries to Bill’s crew gnaw at him, especially since Bill was complicit in Jimmy’s death. Joanne insists Tyson and Grace accompany him for safety, and the trio heads out; their run hits a snag when the car dies en route. Dwight steps in, persuading a reluctant Bill to reroute the meeting to their stranded location. But when Grace hands over the payment bag, disaster strikes: Bodhi has mistakenly brought his comic book stash instead of the cash.
The Kansas City thugs erupt in anger, seizing Tyson and Grace as hostages. To fix the blunder, Bodhi rides with one of the enforcers back to Tulsa. But instead of playing it cool, Bodhi lashes out, beating the man in a fit of rage over Jimmy’s death and Dwight’s deal with Bill. Ultimately, he lets the thug take the money, but the damage is done. Bill, furious, complains to Dwight. Surprisingly, Dwight sides with Bodhi, excusing his outburst as justified grief. Still, the seed of rebellion has been planted, Bodhi’s loyalty is wobbling, and his thirst for vengeance could push him toward Jeremiah or another rival faction.
Jeremiah’s Ruthless Move
The episode crescendos with Dwight and Mitch meeting Theo once more. Dwight lays out a future where both families profit, contrasting it with Jeremiah’s chokehold that leaves the Montagues with nothing. Theo appears swayed, finally ready to turn away from Jeremiah’s intimidation. But this flicker of hope is extinguished almost instantly. Later that night, Jeremiah confronts Theo. Upon hearing that Dwight has made a better offer, Jeremiah coldly orders his men, including Cole, to kill Theo and torch the estate.
The screen darkens with fire and betrayal, setting the stage for a brutal turf war. Dwight’s sentimental streak guarantees he will avenge Theo, but Musso’s leash complicates every move; the battle lines are drawn: Dwight versus Jeremiah, with the FBI lurking overhead, ready to pull the strings.
Closing Thoughts
Episode 1 of Tulsa King Season 3 delivers a blistering start. Dwight is cornered from all sides by Musso’s manipulations, Ray’s threats, Jeremiah’s brutality, and Bodhi’s growing rebellion. Margaret’s loyalty provides him solace, but it may also be her undoing. With Theo dead and the Montague distillery up for grabs, the coming war promises to be Dwight’s fiercest yet. Can he outmaneuver Jeremiah while shackled by Musso’s demands? Or will the King of Tulsa finally be dethroned?
This opening chapter leaves viewers with one certainty that peace will never be an option for Dwight Manfredi.
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