Critic’s Rating: 3.25 / 5.0
3.25
Did Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 8 fire you up for more — or leave you scratching your head?
The finale was a curious mix of thrilling twists and head-scratching moments.
If I had to pick a theme, it would undoubtedly be “negotiation” — but for all the deals being made and broken, no one seemed to walk away with exactly what they wanted.
Instead, we were left with a storm of upheaval, a jolting ending, and more questions than answers.
And yet, isn’t that exactly why we keep coming back? Tulsa King doesn’t do neat, tidy resolutions — it does chaos.
Dwight’s dream of achieving peace and stability?
That was obliterated before it even had a chance to take root.
What unfolded was less of a finale and more of a dramatic reshuffling, scattering characters and alliances across the board.
Chickie, a constant presence since Tulsa King Season 1 Episode 1, exited the stage in a shocking and bloody fashion, paving the way for Bill Bevilaqua to emerge as a more significant player.
Elsewhere, Joanne stepped up to run the weed shop, Bodhi embraced his role as the grow operation mastermind, and Mitch leaned into his civilian life with a gloriously bad commercial for “Mitch Keller’s Car City.”
The vibe was part “changing of the guard,” part “trial by fire.”
But before we get to the fallout, let’s look at how we got here.
The episode kicked off with Dwight claiming Cal’s empire — a moment that could have gone sideways fast but didn’t.
Neal McDonough’s Cal tried to pull the same tough-guy act he’d used on Jackie Ming, but Dwight wasn’t buying it.
In one of the more unexpected turns of the episode, Cal conceded defeat without resorting to violence or making such a fuss that it was used on him.
It was a surprisingly low-key exit for a character played by McDonough, who’s known for going out in a blaze of glory.
But in a way, it was fitting. Dwight didn’t need to fire a shot — his presence alone was enough to make Cal walk away with a smile (and his life).
Of course, not everyone was so easily dealt with. Enter Bill, who made a bold play for 50% of Dwight’s business. His reasoning? They’d both suffered losses, and his crew had helped take down Jackie Ming.
It was a gutsy move, but Dwight wasn’t in the mood to give away half of his empire. Still, Bill walked away with a solid 25% — a win that seemed fair, if not entirely satisfying. That is, until Chickie showed up.
Chickie’s desperation was obvious, but he didn’t lean hard enough into it to save his life.
Freshly booted from his own crime family, he tried to claw his way back to the top by pitching Bill a three-way partnership that would ultimately overthrow Dwight and expand their operations.
But Chickie underestimated Bill’s ambition — and his ruthlessness.
In one of the most shocking scenes of the finale, Bill puts a bullet in Chickie’s head mid-negotiation, earning the 50% stake in Dwight’s empire for himself.
It was a defining moment for Bill, proving him a dangerous player and someone worthy of involvement in Dwight’s operation.
And then, just when it seemed like the dust was settling, the raid happened.
The finale, which lasted just 35 minutes, packed a lot into a short runtime, but the closing moments were the most surprising.
Shadowy figures in unmarked uniforms stormed Margaret’s home, taking a hooded Dwight away to a mysterious location. Their cryptic message — “You’re working for us now” — was enough to send shivers down your sprint.
But who are they? Is it the FBI? A rogue government agency? Something else entirely? The lack of identification deepens the mystery, leaving us with plenty to speculate about in the long wait for Season 3.
There are a few theories worth considering. Stacy, for one, has every reason to return for revenge on Dwight. Their relationship imploded spectacularly, and her sudden disappearance from the story feels unresolved. Could she be the one pulling the strings?
Then there’s Margaret. That shell casing she pocketed at the ranch seemed insignificant at first, but her sly smile suggested otherwise. Was it a calculated move or just a moment of idle curiosity? Either way, she’s not off the hook.
And let’s not forget the broader implications of that raid.
Dwight’s world has always been one where danger is just around the corner, but this feels like a new level of threat. Was it really someone from FBI headquarters who asked the local jurisdiction for their files on Dwight?
Whoever is in change, as a result, Dwight is no longer just a mobster carving out a niche in Tulsa — he’s a pawn in someone else’s game. The question is: who’s playing, and what’s their endgame?
I’ll admit, I was hoping the finale would give us a clean break from the New York drama and open the door for new adventures in Tulsa. Instead, Dwight seems more trapped than ever.
And as much as I hate being right, the people in his orbit are clearly in more danger than ever before. It’s frustrating, sure, but it’s also classic Tulsa King. This show thrives on chaos, and the finale served it up.
Still, there’s plenty to look forward to. The shifting dynamics between Dwight, Bill, and the mysterious new power players promise to shake things up in Season 3.
How can this all play out, especially with the newly reshuffled chess pieces? And what about the rest of the crew — Joanne, Bodhi, Mitch? Their new roles open up intriguing possibilities, but they also paint bigger targets on their backs.
So, what’s your take?
Did the finale live up to your expectations, or were you hoping for something different? And who do you think is really behind the raid?
Drop your theories in the comments — I’m dying to hear your thoughts.
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