If Tulsa King has taught us anything, it’s that Dwight Manfredi’s world is never black and white it’s painted in shades of blood, bourbon, and betrayal. Episode 8 ended with one of the most explosive moments in the show’s history, both literally and figuratively. The grand hotel went up in flames, and while everyone managed to survive, the blast wasn’t just physical, it ripped through alliances, exposed lies, and left a trail of suspicion that will define the coming episodes.
With only a few chapters left in the season, Episode 9 is poised to shift gears dramatically. Expect the fallout from the bombing to reshape Tulsa’s power map, while Dwight’s latest move, kidnapping Deacon and recording his confession, could turn friend into foe faster than a trigger can be pulled.
1. Dwight in Control or Is He?
For the first time in a while, Dwight appears to have the upper hand. Deacon’s confession gives him leverage not only over Musso but also over the law enforcement circle that’s been closing in on him. However, if history has taught us anything, it’s that power in Tulsa King is always temporary.
Musso, humiliated and furious after Dwight’s stunt at the warehouse, won’t take kindly to being outplayed. His obsession with catching Deacon alive has already crossed professional boundaries. Now that Dwight holds both Deacon and the recording, Musso might take desperate measures to get what he wants legally or otherwise.
There’s a high chance Episode 9 could open with a tense standoff between Dwight and Musso. Will Dwight offer the confession in exchange for Bill’s release? Or will he double down and use Deacon as a bargaining chip for something even bigger, complete immunity or protection for Montague Distilleries? Knowing Dwight, he’ll negotiate with the precision of a mafia general, but one wrong move could turn his temporary victory into disaster.
2. Deacon’s Fate Hangs by a Thread
Deacon may have survived Dwight’s torture session, but he’s not out of danger yet. Trapped inside Montague’s bourbon cellar, possibly half-dead and buried under Lawrence Montague’s coffin, his survival depends entirely on how valuable Dwight still finds him.
In Episode 9, we might finally see what Dwight intends to do with him. Will he hand Deacon to Musso in exchange for freedom, or will he keep him alive as insurance against future threats?
There’s also a darker possibility; Deacon could escape or be rescued by Jeremiah’s men. If that happens, it could set off an all-out war between Dwight and Jeremiah. Both men have already drawn blood, but with Deacon caught in the middle, the next encounter might end with no survivors.
3. Jeremiah Plots Revenge
After aligning with Deacon in Episode 8, Jeremiah has crossed a line that can’t be undone. The hotel bombing wasn’t just an act of revenge it was a declaration of war against Dwight’s empire. But with the plan failing and his new ally possibly captured, Jeremiah may now find himself cornered.
Fans are speculating that Jeremiah won’t back down. He’s a man who thrives on control, and Dwight has stripped that from him piece by piece. Episode 9 could see him regrouping, maybe even reaching out to other rivals or criminal factions to take Dwight down once and for all.
Cole, Jeremiah’s son, remains the wild card in this equation. His quiet act of rebellion, leaking the bomb information, saved dozens of lives. If Jeremiah finds out, he might see it as a betrayal, creating a father-son conflict that could add emotional weight to the next episode. Could Cole defect to Dwight’s side, realising his father has become the real villain? The stage is perfectly set for that twist.
4. Margaret Faces a Choice
The explosion has rattled Margaret to her core. For all her composure, the near-death experience at Thresher’s fundraiser was a wake-up call. She’s been walking a tightrope between her business alliance and perhaps emotional attachment to Dwight and her ambitions tied to Thresher’s political rise.
Thresher’s chilling warning that Dwight could drag her down may now echo louder than ever. In Episode 9, we might see Margaret pulling away from Dwight, at least publicly, to protect her reputation. But knowing her complexity, she could just as easily surprise everyone, choosing to stand beside Dwight when everyone else is turning against him.
Fans have been divided about her loyalties for a while, and Episode 9 could finally answer whether Margaret truly believes in Dwight or if she’s been using him as much as he’s been using her.
5. Thresher’s Political Fallout
The bomb going off during his fundraiser has made Thresher the center of national attention. In politics, scandal and sympathy often walk hand in hand, and Episode 9 could show Thresher trying to capitalize on the tragedy to boost his campaign.
But behind the scenes, his fear of Dwight may deepen. After all, every major catastrophe in his orbit seems to lead back to the same man. Expect a confrontation between Thresher and Dwight, one that could either forge an uneasy alliance or ignite another dangerous feud.
6. Tyson, Goodie, and the Tulsa Street Scene
While the main story explodes at the top, the streets of Tulsa are still alive with smaller fires. Tyson, Spencer, and Goodie’s reckless drug ventures have already drawn unnecessary attention. Now that they were indirectly connected to the bombing through their information leak, it’s likely the feds will start sniffing around.
Episode 9 could see Dwight reigning them in, perhaps harshly. But Tyson’s actions, saving lives by warning Dwight, might also earn him newfound respect. If Dwight views him as more than just a protégé, we could see Tyson rising in the ranks, filling a bigger role in Dwight’s operations.
7. The Calm Before the Next War
By the time Episode 9 rolls around, everyone will be holding their breath. The hotel bombing has united some enemies and exposed fragile alliances. Dwight’s growing list of adversaries, Jeremiah, Musso, and possibly Thresher, is bound to collide.
Dwight, once again, sits in the eye of the storm; part savior, part sinner, and fully in control… for now. But in Tulsa, control is a fleeting illusion. And if there’s one thing we can expect from Episode 9, it’s that every decision Dwight makes will come with a cost, one that may finally push him to his breaking point.
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