Tulsa King Season 3, Episode 9 Review: Samuel L. Jackson’s NOLA King Makes a Bold, Stylish Debut

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WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Tulsa King season 3, episode 9.

The ninth episode of Tulsa King season 3, titled “Dead Weight,” delivers the highly anticipated debut of Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr., also called the NOLA King.

Just when things seemed slow for season 3 of Tulsa King, Jackson makes a dramatic entrance following the shocking end of episode 8. This is the first real spark the season has had since its beginning. Meanwhile, Russell, hired by Quiet Ray to eliminate Dwight, pays Dwight a visit. Instead of a confrontation, the two old friends share drinks and fondly remember their time in prison.

Okay, so the second-to-last episode of Tulsa King season 3? Huge improvement. Bringing in NOLA King really streamlined everything and made it way more engaging. Bodhi and Grace were still great as always, but once Jackson showed up, the whole show just clicked. The chemistry between him and Stallone was fantastic and honestly, it took the series to another level. It felt so much better with him around.

It’s really tough watching the Dunmire family struggle, especially now that Dwight’s taking his bourbon business nationwide – that federal permit from Agent Musso was a big step! Dwight’s been surprisingly strong this season, honestly, but even pairing him with the Tulsa and NOLA Kings as a team doesn’t seem to be enough to fix everything that’s gone wrong. I’m worried about where things are headed, even with the fun moments.

Samuel L. Jackson Steals The Spotlight In Tulsa King S3E9

Okay, so the latest episode of Tulsa King felt a lot like a flashback to when Dwight was in New Orleans. We got a little bit with Cleo and a tease about what’s going to happen with Dwight’s sister, but honestly, it was mostly Sly Stallone and Dermot Mulroney going at it, and that’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for! It feels like the show is finally focusing on what it does best – those two facing off. It was a really strong episode because of it.

Russell has shared his plans with Dwight to return to New Orleans and start a new series, which is anticipated in 2026. Both are feeling the heat from their superiors in New York and from Quiet Ray, which brings them together. While the season 3 finale won’t have major cliffhangers – we know Dwight will survive and Russell will be heading back to Louisiana as ‘NOLA King’ – the big question now is who else will join them on this new adventure?

Although I would have liked to see more exploration of Dwight and Russell’s history together, instead of Dwight’s usual thoughts on life and family, the introduction of NOLA King was fantastic. King is a highly effective hitman with a calm, confident presence reminiscent of Jules from Pulp Fiction, combined with the precise, ruthless approach of the assassin in David Fincher’s The Killer. He’s instantly engaging, believable, and undeniably cool.

Okay, so I’m pretty sure Dwight and Russell are going to pull everything together to rescue Joanne and take out Dunmire in the Tulsa King finale. I even think Cole might be the one to do it – he’s been seriously turning things around since confessing to Spencer about the bomb. Honestly, we all probably saw this ending coming, especially with what’s happening behind the scenes at Paramount+, but watching Stallone and Jackson share the screen? That alone would make a predictable storyline totally worth it. It’s just good to see them work together!

Tulsa King May Want To Emulate Mayor Of Kingstown In Season 4

Brian Douglas / Paramount+

Fans of Taylor Sheridan’s intense series, Mayor of Kingstown, were shocked by the season 3 finale. It completely changed the direction of the show, suggesting season 4 will concentrate on a smaller group of core characters and avoid storylines that don’t lead anywhere.

After four episodes of Mayor of Kingstown season 4, its storytelling choices have clearly worked well. Tulsa King could benefit from a similar approach when it returns for its fourth season. While no one enjoys seeing a character die, it’s a reliable way to build intense drama, create suspense, and deliver a powerful emotional experience.

Throughout its three seasons, Tulsa King has protected its main characters, and killing off one or two of Dwight’s associates during the final confrontation with Dunmire would be a powerful move. It would fuel Dwight’s desire for revenge and potentially revitalize the show. This is especially important because season four won’t have the benefit of Samuel L. Jackson’s character to boost ratings like he did in season three.

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2025-11-17 00:19