Tulsa King Season 3 is fixing a major problem with this character's death

Tulsa King | Image via: MTV Entertainment Studios
Tulsa King | Image via: MTV Entertainment Studios

Tulsa King has always had a habit of combining dark humor with unexpected outbursts of violence. It can be thrilling at times, whereas at other moments it can feel rushed. A major grievance that fans and critics expressed was the manner in which the show dealt with the death of its characters.

Once an important person had passed away, the narrative tended to change way too fast, like changing a channel. These instances were more of plot devices than actual losses. Tulsa King Season 3 changes that pattern.

The demise of Jimmy “The Creek" is not a fast cut. Rather, the series delves into how his absence impacts all the people around him. The characters respond differently, their decisions and allegiances change due to the incident. The scenes are more tense and emotional, making his death really count.

This style makes the narrative more powerful. When a show makes a death more than a surprise, it truly adds some real punch. The risks are higher and the characters are more human. That depth was necessary in Tulsa King, and Season 3 finally provides it by allowing Jimmy’s death to make a permanent impression.


Character deaths now have consequences in Tulsa King Season 3

Tulsa King | Image via: MTV Entertainment Studios
Tulsa King | Image via: MTV Entertainment Studios

Tulsa King in previous seasons tended to treat other characters as not worthy of much attention. Somebody could die over a joke or to add a sudden twist, and the story would go on almost like nothing happened. Tulsa King Season 3 changes that.

Jimmy’s death is not merely a tragic incident that the show forgets. It moves everyone around him. Bodhi’s silent anger becomes subtle through small-scale, tense moments. Dwight begins to doubt his friendships. Even the power balance between the rival groups takes a darker turn, since the show allows the grief to linger rather than to pass.

The writers concentrate on the events that take place after Jimmy is gone: conflicts, wrong decisions, and broken trust, all lead back to Jimmy. This is why later violence becomes natural, and not merely because it has shock value. It also allows the actors room to express actual emotions: sorrow, misdirected anger, and even questioning loyalty.


How Tulsa King Season 3 gives violence real weight

Killing a character to shock the audience and writing a death that, actually, transforms the story are two very different things. Season 3 of the show does the second one with Jimmy. His death is not a mere tragic scene, it predetermines the further course of events.

The show also keeps Jimmy’s presence alive through conversations where people talk about him, the decisions they take, and even the errors they make when under strain. Friends question the choices they made when he was still alive. Foes grapple with the after effects of his murder. His habits and grudges are adopted by younger crew members, which complicates Dwight’s plans.

This is a clever strategy since it honours the viewers. The writers did not pass the loss off as a cheap surprise and go on, but rather allowed the loss to linger. Some critics have claimed that Tulsa King occasionally has trouble with its tone, and that is quite apparent. But to have a character death impact other character arcs and situations, feels real. It transforms a violent scene into a heavy and emotional one, and it makes the show better overall.


What this fix promises

Jimmy’s death adds some true weight to Tulsa King, but it is not a complete reboot. The story is stronger in Season 3, which is based on consequences, such as strained friendships, natural revenge arcs, and difficult moral decisions. Nevertheless, certain tropes are still present: abrupt shifts in tones, irregular rhythm, and flashy episodes which do not necessarily fit the story.

If the writers continue to dive into these ramifications and create side characters like Bodhi and Mitch, the show might become more than a guilty pleasure. It might turn into a narrative that has the right amount of humor, heart, and price for violence. However, when it goes back to hasty, disposable deaths or makes legacy nothing but empty talk, the progress might get lost.

In the meantime, allowing Jimmy’s absence to influence every decision is a good sign that the show has finally learned how a death ought to affect the living.


For more such insights on Tulsa King Season 3, keep following Soap Central.

Edited by Sarah Nazamuddin Harniswala