by Tim Gordon
Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone) continues to prove that experience and instinct are his greatest weapons, outmaneuvering his enemies with a mix of finesse, intimidation, and old-school discipline. Art of War marks a major turning point in the season as every player on the board begins to show their hand, and Dwight once again demonstrates that he is always three moves ahead.
The episode opens with a tense phone call between Dwight and Quiet Ray Renzetti (James Russo), who is still enraged over the fallout from their meeting in Hot Springs. Both men demand clarity, but neither is willing to concede. The pride and ego between them make compromise impossible. For now, a fragile truce exists, but this uneasy peace cannot hold for long. Dwight confides to his crew that Ray’s real play is to kill him, and he redirects their attention to the immediate problem: getting the seal lifted from the dispensary, no matter what it takes.
With Tyson Mitchell (Jay Will) branching out and learning new skills under Dennis “Goodie” Carangi (Chris Caldovino), Michael “Bigfoot” (Mike “Ca$h Flo” Walden) now serves as Dwight’s driver. Dwight pays a visit to Attorney General Sackrider (Tim Guinee), who is clearly terrified to be caught between Dwight and Jeremiah Dunmire (Robert Patrick). When the subject of the liquor license comes up, Dwight’s tone turns cold, reminding the AG just how dangerous it is to cross him. Recognizing that political leverage may be more effective than threats, Dwight turns to Margaret Devereaux (Dana Delaney) for help. She agrees to lean on her well-connected girlfriend, the AG’s wife, and uses their conversation to feed Dwight valuable intel that could turn the tide.
Meanwhile, tensions within the Dunmire family continue to boil. Cole Dunmire (Beau Knapp) vents his frustration about his father’s constant belittling to Spencer (Scarlet Rose Stallone), who still meets with Dwight’s adversaries behind his back. What began as manipulation has turned into something more complicated, as Cole’s feelings for Spencer deepen. His vulnerability, however, may soon become his biggest liability.
Elsewhere, Tyson and Goodie team up for a small-time hustle of their own. Using fake police badges, they plan to rob a local frat house of its drugs and cash. Spencer joins them, providing insider information. The con goes mostly according to plan, though Tyson’s face is nearly recognized by one of the students. They make off with the loot, but Tyson learns a harsh lesson when Goodie and Spencer keep most of the money and product for themselves. His growing ambition might make him valuable, but his inexperience still marks him as a student in Dwight’s world.
Back at headquarters, Dwight and Margaret orchestrate a risky scheme to corner both Cal Thresher (Neal McDonough) and the Attorney General in one move. Margaret arranges for Cal to meet the AG at Dwight’s casino under the pretense of a political discussion. The meeting is secretly recorded as Dwight and his crew watch from a back room. They bait the AG into heavy gambling, offering stacks of casino chips until he is hopelessly in debt. Cal recognizes the trap immediately and tries to pull the AG away, but it is too late. When the night ends, the AG owes Dwight $100,000 and, more importantly, his loyalty.
Jeremiah, unaware that he has just lost his most important ally, walks directly into the snare. When he crashes Dwight’s gathering, Dwight coolly references Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, reminding him that “when facing an enemy, always build him a golden bridge for retreat.” The message is clear: Jeremiah’s bridge just burned to ash. Later, Dwight sends him a copy of The Art of War with a single inscription written inside: “You lost.”
The blow sends Jeremiah into a rage. He confronts the Attorney General, only to discover that his ally has switched sides and now belongs to Dwight. In a moment of fury, Jeremiah attacks him and is immediately arrested. As he is dragged to his cell, he mutters, “Setbacks are necessary to gain perspective, to see the road to redemption with clear eyes.” His words sound less like wisdom and more like denial, the ramblings of a man watching his empire crumble.
Final Thoughts
For three seasons, Dwight has proven that he is always playing the long game. Twenty-five years behind bars sharpened his instincts and honed his patience, turning him into a tactician who thrives under pressure. In Art of War, he demonstrates that brains often outweigh brute force, using strategy, charm, and psychological warfare to crush his enemies without ever firing a shot.
Still, the cracks are beginning to show elsewhere. Cole’s resentment toward Jeremiah has reached a dangerous breaking point. Each insult from his father pushes him closer to rebellion, and it feels inevitable that the son will soon become the head of the Dunmire family, one way or another.
With the Attorney General now under Dwight’s control, the political road ahead appears clear, but nothing in Tulsa ever stays settled for long. Quiet Ray’s silence grows ominous, Musso (Kevin Pollak) continues to pull strings from the shadows, and Dwight’s delicate alliances are starting to fray.
With three episodes left in the season, Tulsa King is barreling toward all-out war. If Art of War proves anything, it is that Dwight Manfredi knows exactly how to win one.
