Tulsa King: The Antihero Problem and How to Fix It

The Uniqueness of Tulsa King

Tulsa King, a crime drama series on Paramount+, sets itself apart from the neo-Western ambiance of other Taylor Sheridan shows. The series follows Sylvester Stallone as Dwight 'The General' Manfredi, a mafia capo who, after being released from prison, is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma to establish criminal operations. What makes Tulsa King stand out is its departure from the typical Western setting, distinguishing it from Yellowstone and other Sheridan series.

Sylvester Stallone in Tulsa King

While Tulsa King may not have the same Western ambiance as Yellowstone, the two series share some similarities, both good and bad. One glaring similarity is the presence of a flawed antihero character, a problem that plagues both Tulsa King and Yellowstone.

Sylvester Stallone and another man with guns pointed off-camera in Tulsa King

The Problem of Antiheroes in Tulsa King and Yellowstone

One of the significant issues that Tulsa King and Yellowstone have in common is the portrayal of their main characters as flawed antiheroes. Both Dwight 'The General' Manfredi in Tulsa King and John Dutton in Yellowstone are depicted as antiheroes, but their development falls short of creating compelling and morally complex characters.

John and Beth Dutton side eye someone across the room in Yellowstone

The antiheroes in Tulsa King and Yellowstone are not fully realized in a way that challenges the audience's perception of right and wrong. Unlike iconic antiheroes like Tony Soprano from The Sopranos and Walter White from Breaking Bad, the characters in Tulsa King and Yellowstone lack the depth that makes them morally ambiguous and difficult to root for.

Sylvester Stallone as Dwight looking serious in Tulsa King

Addressing the Antihero Problem in Tulsa King

The struggle with antihero characters in Taylor Sheridan's series stems from the reluctance to fully condemn their actions. While the characters are introduced as morally ambiguous, the shows fail to confront and hold them accountable for their problematic behavior. This results in a lack of reflection and higher stakes, ultimately hindering the development of compelling antiheroes.

Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser and Kevin Costner in Yellowstone

In Yellowstone, the failure to fully condemn John Dutton's actions despite his villainous behavior reflects a pattern in Sheridan's storytelling. However, there is hope for Tulsa King, as the upcoming seasons can rectify this issue by delving deeper into the General's darker nature and presenting him as the true villain he is. By embracing the complexity of an unlikable main character, Tulsa King can elevate its storytelling and character development.

Mitch and Dwight outside the Bred 2 Buck in Tulsa-King