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Tulsa King Series – Order, Context & Why Stallone Rules Oklahoma

Dad-focused series review for Tulsa King: watch order, themes, and why Sylvester Stallone’s first major TV role is a total triumph. Includes links to individual season reviews.

Sylvester Stallone as Dwight Manfredi in a sharp suit standing on a Tulsa street

🎬 Tulsa King Watch Order & Overview

Let’s be honest: when we heard Sylvester Stallone was doing a TV show where he plays a mobster sent to Oklahoma, we were already in. But Tulsa King turned out to be so much more than just a gimmick. It’s a gritty, funny, and surprisingly soulful crime drama that fits perfectly into a busy parent’s schedule.

Created by Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone) and run by Terence Winter (The Sopranos), the show follows Dwight "The General" Manfredi. After keeping his mouth shut for 25 years in prison, he’s released only to be unceremoniously exiled by his mob family to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Instead of retiring, he starts building a new empire with a ragtag crew of locals.

Why is this essential viewing? Because Stallone is absolutely magnetic. He brings a lifetime of movie-star charisma to Dwight, mixing menace with a gentlemanly code and a fish-out-of-water confusion that is genuinely hilarious. It’s violent, yes, but it’s also about regret, fatherhood, and trying to build something real when the world has moved on without you.

Below, you’ll find our reviews for each season, automatically listed in order. But first, here’s why this show deserves your limited free time.

Tulsa King: Season 1 [Blu-ray]

Own the start of the saga. The physical release looks crisp and includes great behind-the-scenes features on Stallone’s TV debut.

Tulsa King: Season 1 [Blu-ray]

🧭 Why This Series Matters (For Busy Parents)

Tulsa King is the definition of "Dad TV" in the best possible way. It doesn’t demand you keep a wiki open to track 50 plot threads like Game of Thrones. It’s straightforward, character-driven storytelling that you can sink into after a long week.

  • Respects Your Time: Episodes are typically tight—around 35 to 45 minutes. You can easily knock one out before bed without staying up until midnight.
  • The Tone Mix: It hits a sweet spot between crime thriller and workplace comedy. One minute Dwight is choking a guy out with a phone cord, the next he’s confused by a dispensary’s legal weed menu or giving life advice to a young cowboy. It’s fun, not exhausting.
  • Rewatchability: Because it relies so much on Stallone’s charm and the chemistry of his crew, it’s a great "comfort crime" show. It’s not so dark that you feel drained after watching.

If you grew up watching Stallone, seeing him deliver a performance this layered—funny, vulnerable, and terrifying—is a genuine treat.

📺 Recommended Watch Order & Entry Points

The series is a linear story, so you absolutely need to start at the beginning.

  1. Season 1: The essential introduction. You see Dwight land in Tulsa, meet his driver Tyson, the weed shop owner Bodhi, and the rest of the crew. It sets the table perfectly.
  2. Season 2: Continues the story as Dwight faces new threats from rival gangs and legal troubles. It’s a bit rockier than the first season but deepens the world.
  3. Season 3: The payoff. The stakes get higher, the crew is fully formed, and Dwight feels like he truly owns the town.

Our Advice: Just start with Episode 1. The pilot does such a good job establishing the premise that you’ll know within 20 minutes if you’re on board. (Spoiler: You will be.)

👨‍👧 Family & Age Suitability

This is strictly for adults. Do not let the "comedy" tag fool you—this is a mob show.

  • Violence: Frequent and brutal. Shootings, beatings, stabbings. It’s not horror-movie gore, but it’s realistic crime violence.
  • Language: Constant strong language. Dwight and the crew speak like mobsters. F-bombs are the punctuation of choice.
  • Themes: Drug dealing, extortion, murder, and adult relationships.
  • Age Rating: We recommend 16+ at a minimum. This is a show for after the kids are asleep.

That said, for parents, there are some resonant themes about reconnecting with estranged children and the pain of missing out on your family’s life while you were "working" (or in Dwight's case, in prison). It hits home in unexpected ways.

🎯 Final Thoughts on the Series

Tulsa King succeeds because it doesn't take itself too seriously, but it takes its characters very seriously. It’s a show about outcasts finding a place to belong, led by a legend doing some of his best work.

If you like Yellowstone for the modern western vibes but wish it had more mobsters and jokes, this is for you. If you love The Sopranos but want something a little breezier and less existentially crushing, this is also for you.

It’s a perfect Friday night pour-a-drink-and-relax show.

Paramount+ Subscription

Stream every season of Tulsa King along with other Taylor Sheridan hits like Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown.

Paramount+ Subscription
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Dwight Manfredi wearing sunglasses and a suit, looking out over a Tulsa landscape

#1Tulsa King Season 1 Review – The General Lands in Oklahoma

8 / 10
Tulsa King Season 1 is the show we didn’t know we needed. Stallone is perfect as the fish-out-of-water mobster, bringing heart and humor to a role that could have been a cliché. The supporting cast is excellent, the pacing is brisk, and the balance of violence and comedy is spot-on. It’s not redefining the genre, but it’s executing it with incredible style. If you want a fun, gritty crime show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is it. Rating: 8/10.
Release Year: 2022

“After 25 years in prison, Dwight Manfredi expects a hero’s welcome. Instead, he gets a plane ticket to Tulsa. Season 1 of Tulsa King is a masterclass in star power, with Sylvester Stallone delivering a performance that is equal parts menacing and hilarious. Watching him assemble a crew of misfits—from a weed shop owner to a cab driver—is pure entertainment. It’s a show about second chances, old-school codes in a modern world, and the undeniable charisma of its lead. A must-watch for dads.”

🛒 Watch on Paramount+🛒 Tulsa King Season 1 Blu-ray
Dwight Manfredi facing off against Cal Thresher in a tense boardroom meeting

#2Tulsa King Season 2 Review – Growing Pains in the Heartland

7 / 10
Tulsa King Season 2 is a mixed bag. On one hand, you have Sylvester Stallone continuing to crush it as Dwight Manfredi, and the addition of Neal McDonough as a rival businessman is inspired. On the other, the plot wanders into less interesting territory (wind farms? really?) and some character arcs feel stalled. It’s still a very entertaining watch—especially for the banter and the bursts of violence—but it doesn’t quite hit the highs of Season 1. Good, not great. Rating: 7/10.
Release Year: 2024

“Season 2 of Tulsa King aims bigger, bringing in heavy hitters like Neal McDonough and Frank Grillo to challenge Dwight’s growing empire. While the performances are top-notch, the story feels a bit scattered, juggling legal troubles, wind farm schemes, and mob wars. It’s the classic 'sophomore slump'—still fun because of the characters we love, but missing the tight focus of the debut. A solid 7/10 that sets the stage for better things.”

🛒 Watch on Paramount+🛒 Tulsa King Season 2 Blu-ray
Dwight Manfredi sitting at the head of a table, surrounded by his loyal crew

#3Tulsa King Season 3 Review – The King Takes His Throne

8 / 10
This is the season we were waiting for. Everything clicks in Season 3. The writing is sharper, the pacing is relentless, and the emotional beats land with real weight. Stallone gives his best performance of the series, balancing the menace of a mob boss with the warmth of a grandfather. The relationships built over the last two seasons finally pay off in big ways. It’s violent, funny, and incredibly satisfying. The best season of the show, hands down. Rating: 8/10.
Release Year: 2025

“If Season 2 was the growing pains, Season 3 is the maturity. Tulsa King finds its perfect rhythm, balancing the mob war stakes with the character moments we love. Dwight Manfredi is no longer an outsider; he’s the king of Tulsa. With a tighter script, higher stakes, and a crew that finally feels like a family, this is the season that cements the show’s status as a modern classic. A satisfying, binge-worthy crime drama.”

🛒 Watch on Paramount+🛒 Tulsa King Season 3 Blu-ray

Disclaimer: This review and its visuals were created with the help of AI. Some links may be affiliate links – we may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.