Tulsa King Season 1 Blu-ray Review
“Tulsa King” is another winner from Taylor Sheridan.
After spending 25 years in prison for a murder rap for the Invernizzi crime family, Dwight Manfredi returns to New York with the hope of a promotion. Pete Invernizzi informs him that won’t be happening though and that he is being assigned to Tulsa, Oklahoma to start up a brand new criminal enterprise there. Dwight reluctantly accepts the offer and begins to hire on his own crew which includes a driver (Tyson), Bodhi (a weed dispensary owner), Armand (a ranch hand and former gangster), Mitch (a bar owner and former bull rider) among others. As Dwight begins to grow businesses and create new ones, he runs into trouble with a local biker gang The Black Macadams (led by the Irishman Waltrip) who have their own local criminal empire. Elsewhere in the 9 episode debut season are plots involving Dwight attempting to reconnect with his daughter Tina, Tina’s horrifying past, an FBI agent (Stacy) who has sexual relations with Dwight, a horse named Pilot, Pete’s son (Chickie) and his big ambitions and vendetta against Dwight, and Stacy’s investigations into both the bikers and Dwight.
The premise of this Paramount+ may sound implausible and a tad bit goofy (and it is), but Taylor Sheridan and showrunner Terence Winter’s series doesn’t take itself too seriously. In fact, there’s a healthy amount of comedy here that works in the show’s favor. “Tulsa King” is essentially a quirky fish out of water story that blends westerns and gangsters together all while exploring themes about age, family, and loyalty. Granted, there are storylines that don’t work or feel far too convenient for the sake of storytelling (see Stacy becoming involved with Dwight), but the breezy and compelling multi-genre series works as a drama, a gangster series, a dark comedy, and even as a western. It’s a nice change of pace from true crime series and biodramas to be sure.
Sylvester Stallone starring in a TV series was always intriguing from the get go, but it’s fascinating to see the actor take on this complex role. He’s playing a character of his age group and seeing how Dwight fits into the modern world after being in prison for so long is among the show’s strong suits (especially when he’s generally surrounded by younger characters). Speaking of the supporting cast, there’s a lot to like here with the ever hilarious Martin Starr (of “Silicon Valley” and “Freaks And Geeks” fame), Garrett Hedlund (always good to see the underrated actor in more roles), Jay Will (as the charismatic Tyson), and a host of veteran actors like Dana Delany, Annabella Sciorra, Max Casella and Domenick Lombardozzi (who are all excellent).
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. Grade: A-
Audio Track: Dolby TrueHD 5.1. Grade: A-
Extras:
* Paramount TV series ads.
* “Behind The Story” segments for each of the 9 episodes that feature set footage, episode clips, cast and crew interviews, and story and character discussions.
* “Haberdashery: Costume Design” featurette.
* “Outthink Your Enemy: Stunts” feaurette
* “Stranger In A Strange Land: Genesis” covers the conception of the series, the characters, the series, Oklahoma, and more.
* “Carpe D.M.: Stallone” is all about Sylvester Stallone.
* “Mercy And Malice: The Cast” revolves around the ensemble cast and their individual characters.
* “The Here And Now: On Location In Tulsa” centers around the Oklahoma location shooting.
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