by Tim Gordon
Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone) finds himself surrounded by threats on all sides in a tense, fast-moving episode that tightens the noose around his empire. Between the looming pressure from Jeremiah Dunmire (Robert Patrick), the unpredictable Quiet Ray (James Russo), and Bill Bevilaqua’s (Frank Grillo) mysterious disappearance, “Bubbles” shows the cracks forming in Dwight’s control.
The episode opens with Dwight confiding in his sister Joanne (Annabella Sciorra) about Bill’s growing suspicions. He admits that he has become entangled with Musso (Kevin Pollak), though Joanne remains skeptical of his choices. Meanwhile, chaos erupts at the distillery when the body of the inspector is discovered. The authorities close the operation indefinitely, dealing a devastating blow to Dwight’s Montague 50 launch. As the police depart, Cole Dunmire (Beau Knapp) drives by, watching ominously from the shadows.
Determined to regroup, Dwight gathers his crew to discuss their next move for the Montague 50 bourbon. He insists they go old-school and keep distribution under the radar, eventually aiming for national reach. Mitch Keller (Garrett Hedlund) and Cleo Montague (Bella Heathcote) are sent on a road trip to secure transportation through one of Dwight’s old contacts. Meanwhile, Goodie Carangi (Chris Caldovino) alerts Dwight that Bill has gone missing, prompting Dwight to suspect interference from New York. He reaches out to Quiet Ray, arranging a sit-down in Arkansas to clear the air.
The meeting between Dwight and Quiet Ray begins as a respectful, old-world conversation between two seasoned mobsters. Both arrive precisely on time, adhering to the unspoken rules of the life. However, Vince Antonacci’s (Vincent Piazza) presence immediately irritates Dwight. Quiet Ray demands eighty percent of Dwight’s bourbon profits in exchange for peace, while Dwight counters by asking for information about Bill’s whereabouts. Before they can reach a truce, Cole and his men ambush the meeting with gunfire, turning an uneasy negotiation into open warfare.
Elsewhere, Mitch and his crew break back into the distillery and successfully retrieve the Montague 50 stock before the authorities can confiscate it. Bodhi Geigerman (Martin Starr) receives an unsettling call from Bill’s men in Kansas City, who report that their boss never returned home. The team grows increasingly uneasy as suspicions mount.
On their road trip to Shreveport, Mitch and Cleo’s banter turns introspective. Cleo admits that she envies Mitch’s blind faith in Dwight, prompting him to recount how the two first met. “The Lord works in mysterious ways,” Mitch says with a grin as he finishes the story. Their journey takes a dangerous turn when a highway patrolman pulls them over and reveals that he works for Cole. Mitch and Cleo fight him off, leaving him battered on the roadside before continuing toward their destination—a Pentecostal church that secretly doubles as one of their new distribution hubs. In a rare moment of honesty, Cleo confides that “Tulsa never ends well for her,” hinting at a fatalistic acceptance of her fate.
Back in Tulsa, Jeremiah berates Attorney General A.G. Sackrider (Tim Guinee), belittling his son Cole for his failures and cowardice. Sackrider reveals that he planted a tracking device on Dwight’s vehicle, giving Jeremiah another advantage. Furious, Jeremiah challenges Cole to prove himself once and for all by eliminating Dwight at any cost.
Meanwhile, Dwight and Tyson Mitchell (Jay Will) share a quiet drive, reflecting on loyalty and survival. Cole’s men attempt to ambush them, unaware that Bigfoot (Mike “Ca$h Flo” Walden) has been following closely behind as backup. When the trap is sprung, Bigfoot swiftly neutralizes the threat, allowing Dwight and Tyson to escape unharmed. Cole is left humiliated, his frustration growing as his father continues to demean him.
In a shocking reveal, Musso is shown holding Bill captive, suggesting that the federal agent intends to blackmail the Kansas City boss much like he has done with Dwight.
Elsewhere, tragedy strikes when Armand Truisi (Max Casella) is found dead in a motel, an apparent suicide. Goodie delivers the news to Dwight, who is visibly shaken. Dwight tries calling Quiet Ray, but the call goes unanswered as Neil Young’s “Big Change” plays over the closing montage, underscoring the heavy sense of loss and foreboding.
Final Thoughts
Throughout this season, Dwight has found himself at the center of an increasingly dangerous web of enemies, with each week adding a new layer of betrayal and chaos. Instead of resolving his conflicts, he seems to be accumulating them, one bad decision at a time.
Bill spent the entire episode in captivity under Musso’s watch, setting up what could become a pivotal alliance or another layer of deceit. What exactly does Musso want from him, and how far is Bill willing to go to survive?
Jeremiah’s cruelty toward Cole continues to escalate, pushing his son closer to a breaking point. If Cole snaps, his revenge could be catastrophic for everyone involved.
Finally, Dwight’s tenuous understanding with Quiet Ray appears shattered beyond repair. With four episodes remaining, the stage is set for an explosive final stretch. Every side is armed, every ally is uncertain, and the walls are closing in on the General.
