Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Tulsa King season 3, episode 10.The ending of Tulsa King season 3 was quite literally explosive, and it’s worth breaking down what happened to everyone and how Dwight and Jeremiah Dunmire’s war ended. Joanne Manfredi’s kidnapping at the end of Tulsa King season 3, episode 9 set the stage for the finale. Dwight and the rest of the cast of Tulsa King stormed Dunmire’s compound with help from an unexpected ally and got everyone home safely.
While it was a happy ending for Dwight and the gang, there were still a few moments from Tulsa King season 3’s finale that didn’t make perfect sense. It also had a few moments of important set-up for the already-confirmed Tulsa King season 4. All in all, it’s well worth taking a closer look at the finale of Tulsa King season 3 and some of the choices that got the show to this point.
Why Did Cole Dunmire Betray Jeremiah In Tulsa King Season 3?
Beau Knapp’s Cole smiling smugly at Garrett Hedlund’s Mitch in Tulsa King season 3
The biggest surprise of Tulsa King season 3’s ending came from Cole Dunmire, though it wasn’t a total shock. Cole, after learning that Jeremiah had kidnapped Joanne Manfredi, decided to betray his father. He told Dwight and the gang everything he knew about his family estate, and he proved instrumental in the assault to rescue Joanne. Cole’s actions also got his father killed, though, so it’s a bit confusing why he betrayed Jeremiah.
Cole’s betrayal of Jeremiah has been built up all season long. Even in episode 2, we saw signs of Cole’s upcoming change of heart. Every time we see Cole interact with Jeremiah, it’s negative. His father is physically and verbally abusive, demeans Cole at every opportunity, pushes him out of the family business, and was even reluctant to spare his life when Dwight captured him earlier on in the season.
Cole has also demonstrated his own strong sense of morality all season long. He defended Spencer from a rapist in the Bred2Buck parking lot, warned her and Tyson about the bombing in time to save everyone’s lives, and seemed generally upset by all the crimes Jeremiah forced him to commit. Cole betrayed Jeremiah for two reasons: he was sick of living in Jeremiah’s shadow, and he was sick of doing awful things for his father.
Why Dwight Still Owes Agent Musso In Tulsa King Explained
Kevin Pollak as Musso looking intensely at Dwight in Tulsa King season 3Brian Douglas/Paramount+
Another, less prominent, surprise from Tulsa King season 3’s finale came from Agent Musso. Dwight and Musso finished out their business concerning bombmaker Dexter Deacon after exchanging information about Deacon’s terror operation and federal liquor licenses for Dwight. However, even though their deal had been completed, Musso said that Dwight owed him and that he’d call when he needed him.
The simple reason Musso thinks Dwight owes him is that Dwight got the much better end of the deal. Musso wanted to capture Deacon alive, but Dwight tortured and killed him instead. He only got half of what he wanted, that being Deacon’s information. On the other hand, Dwight got incredibly valuable federal liquor licenses that required Musso calling in a lot of valuable favors from the highest rungs of government.
Upcoming Tulsa King Shows
Title
Expected Release Date
Tulsa King season 4
September 2026
NOLA King
2026-27
Even if it had been an even trade, however, there was always a chance that Musso wouldn’t just let Dwight go. His plan with Dexter Deacon didn’t go perfectly, but it wouldn’t have gone anywhere without Dwight. Dwight is simply too useful for Musso to just let him get away. He’s the perfect criminal informant and Musso has a mountain of blackmail against him, so he’s going to use Dwight as long as he can.
How Cal Thresher Won The Governor’s Race & What He’ll Do Next In Tulsa King Season 4
Cal Thresher (Neal McDonough) in front of a political podium in Tulsa King season 3Brian Douglas / ©Paramount+/Viacom / Courtesy Everett Collection
Another important moment that should impact Tulsa King season 4 concerned Cal Thresher. After a season-long uphill campaign, Thresher won the race to be the next governor of Oklahoma in what Margaret described as a landslide. Given how unpopular Cal was at the beginning, that was a bit of a shock, but there were some big factors that helped him win.
Margaret was the single biggest factor. Her political connections and campaign savvy helped turn Cal from an unlikable billionaire with a questionable past into an ideal candidate. Plus, the bombing at Thresher’s campaign rally helped him secure a more favorable public opinion, as any attempt on a politician’s life is like to do. Those factors, along with Dwight’s help coercing the Attorney General, made Thresher win.
Even though Dwight helped Thresher get into office, the future of their partnership doesn’t look very bright. Thresher told Margaret that he wanted to disregard Dwight now that he was in office, which could mean that Cal will be a villain again in Tulsa King season 4. At the very least, Thresher is probably going to be a very reluctant ally, and he could easily cause more headaches for Dwight in the future.
Russell Lee Washington Jr.’s Future Tulsa King Role Explained
Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr. in Tulsa King season 3, episode 9
The newest star to join Tulsa King, Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr., also has a bright future ahead of him. Even though he was only in two episodes before departing for New Orleans, we already have an idea of what’s in store for Lee. Since Jackson is leading his own Tulsa King spinoff, NOLA King, Lee is heading to New Orleans to start a criminal empire of his own, just like Dwight did.
Related
Samuel L. Jackson Just Showed How Tulsa King Can Make Even More Spinoff Shows
Samuel L. Jackson is set to lead the first Tulsa King spinoff show, NOLA King, but his debut in the Taylor Sheridan show also set up new spinoffs.
Tulsa King season 3 also gives us a great idea of how NOLA King will begin. Unlike Dwight, Lee used to live in New Orleans, which should mean he’ll have an easier time getting started and making important connections. He can also call on Dwight for help whenever he needs, given their very good friendship. Lee is also going to have to evade Quiet Ray’s hired killers, however, which should add a new layer of suspense to NOLA King.
The Real Meaning Of Tulsa King Season 3’s Ending Explained
Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi raising his glass in Tulsa King
Now that Tulsa King season 3 is over, we can definitively say what this season was truly about. Previous seasons have been about all manner of life lessons, from learning how to start over with nothing, to learning the importance of cooperation, and showing that Dwight could learn to be a better man. Tulsa King season 3 is about family and, more specifically, how we should treat them.
The main rivalry in Tulsa King season 3 was between Dwight and Jeremiah, and there was a clear difference in how they treated their families. Jeremiah belittled, abused, and berated Cole every chance he got. Dwight, on the other hand, was kind, understanding, forgiving, and protective of both Joanne and the rest of his gang. He dropped everything to save both Margaret and Joanne from danger, and he put it all on the line for the people he loves.
That’s why Dwight wins against Jeremiah: Tulsa King is showing us that we need to love and support our families and friends. If we don’t love and support them, like Jeremiah did with Cole, we can push them away and cause our own downfall. It’s like what Dwight said to Lee in Tulsa King season 3, episode 9: you have to find a family that you can rely on and that can rely on you.
Release Date
November 13, 2022
Network
Paramount+
Showrunner
Dave Erickson, Terence Winter