12/15
Non-descript character: Where do you worship?
Story
After being released from prison after 25 years, New York Mafia boss Dwight “The General” Manfredi is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sylvester Stallone’s first starring role in a television series. Dwight “The General” Manfredi: I don’t really go to church. The opening credits sequence shows several photographic and painted views, as well as Oklahoma landmarks imposed on the New York City landscape: A statue of Sioux Indian Chief “Touch the Clouds” wearing a war bonnet and bone choker necklace (breastplate) imposed on top of the Brooklyn Bridge Statue of the Golden Driller imposed on the Statue of Liberty The Western Gateway arch of Route 66 imposed on a major Manhattan “Avenue”.
which are intersected by smaller numbered streets
In New York City, in the borough of Manhattan, there are several numbered “Avenues”. Featured on CBS News Sunday Morning: Episode #45.7 (2022). I figured this would be a fun show. We’ve grown accustomed to thinking that anything with Stallone in it these days would be a comedy, and Tulsa King delivers a fair amount of humor.
The characters are genuinely likable across the board
But Taylor Sheridan isn’t going to create a simple parody of a mob story and use Stallone as punchline and punchline. The show has promising depth despite the lighthearted premise of a former mobster big shot forced to start over in a new city after a long prison sentence. Some comedy ensues when a New York mobster finds his way to Tulsa to establish his turf using his “old world” ways. While it’s not uncommon to root for a “bad” guy as a protagonist, his candor and old world common sense values appeal to those of us looking for something refreshing amid today’s social absurdity.
Stallone gives an excellent performance
The irony in the message is that it takes a thug who bows to no one to destroy and expose superficial social hypocrisy. This is the same formula that made Yellowstone a hit, and Sheridan knows that’s what many of us want. Before becoming a caricature of his later roles that brought the Rocky and Rambo franchises to the ground, his acting and screen presence made these roles iconic. It’s good to see him back on screen in a role that feels right for him, and to leverage some of that cheeky personality to add depth to his character and the show, rather than undermine it.
Overall, a highly entertaining show that I look forward to, and a great addition to the Paramount+ portfolio
Check out our recap of “Yellowstone” Season 5, Part 2, “Squid Game” Season 2, and more of the most anticipated new and returning series coming to TV and streaming.
