Tulsa King Season 3 Episode 9 Ending Explained: Who Kidnapped Joanne?

The penultimate episode of Tulsa King Season 3 dropped a bombshell that left fans screaming at their screens—Joanne has been kidnapped! Episode 9, titled “Dead Weight,” delivered jaw-dropping twists as Dwight Manfredi’s empire expanded while his enemies grew more desperate. Let’s break down that shocking ending and what it means for the season finale.

Tulsa King S3 Episode 9 Quick Facts

The Shocking Kidnapping: Jeremiah Strikes Back

Just when viewers thought things were stabilizing for Dwight’s crew, Jeremiah Dunmire’s henchmen kidnapped Joanne in the episode’s final moments. This desperate move marks a turning point in the escalating war between Dwight and the Dunmire family.

As the saying goes, “an injured lion is more dangerous than a hungry one,” and Jeremiah’s kidnapping scheme proves he’s hurting badly. After watching his Dunmire Distilleries crumble while Dwight’s Montague Distilleries floods the market, Jeremiah has become increasingly desperate and egotistical.

This kidnapping gives Jeremiah bargaining power, as he plans to force Dwight to relinquish Montague Distilleries in exchange for Joanne’s safety. However, anyone who knows Dwight understands he doesn’t respond well to being crossed.

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What Led to Joanne’s Kidnapping?

The kidnapping didn’t happen in isolation—it’s the culmination of Dwight’s business dominance crushing the Dunmire empire. Dwight secured the federal license and literally flooded the market with his supply, causing bars to return Dunmire bottles because they weren’t selling.

Cole, Jeremiah’s son, delivered the devastating news that their stock was coming back, their rival was expanding, and their hitman Deacon was captured. Jeremiah felt humiliated as his revenge plan failed while simultaneously losing his business, making Dwight’s power rise faster than ever.

Earlier Episode Highlights

Before the kidnapping bombshell, Episode 9 delivered plenty of action:

The Double Assassination Attempt: Dwight and Russell confronted assassins sent by Ray, only to discover there were two hitmen staying in adjacent hotel rooms, both dressed identically. Dwight killed one while Russell eliminated the other, showcasing their lethal partnership.

Mitch and Cleo’s Relationship: Despite the hotel bombing that could have scared her away, Cleo chose to stand by Mitch through thick and thin rather than seek safety alone, proving her loyalty to Dwight’s crew.

Grace’s Career Move: Grace approached Joanne requesting a position at Montague Distilleries, and Joanne immediately began showing her the ropes, expanding the business team just before disaster struck.

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What This Means for the Season Finale

Joanne represents Dwight’s emotional soft spot, but Dwight never forgives being crossed. The season finale promises an explosive confrontation that will likely determine the fate of both empires.

Will Dwight negotiate the exchange, or will he make Jeremiah pay the ultimate price for his hubris? The smart money says Dwight won’t simply hand over everything he’s built—even for someone he cares about deeply. Jeremiah may have thought he gained leverage, but he’s actually backed a dangerous predator into a corner.

The preview for the finale suggests all-out war is coming, with Samuel L. Jackson’s Russell Lee Washington Jr. playing a crucial role in whatever plan Dwight executes.

The Deacon Subplot Resolution

For context, Episode 8 saw Deacon steal Dwight’s money, build a bomb targeting a fundraiser where Margaret and Thresher were present, then attempt to kill Dwight. Dwight, Mitch, and Bigfoot kidnapped Deacon, took him to the Montague estate crypt, and brutally tortured him for his crimes before stuffing him in a coffin.

This leverage over Deacon—combined with a recorded confession about killing Musso’s partner—gives Dwight control over FBI agent Musso, at least temporarily. This strategic positioning makes Dwight extremely powerful, which is precisely why Jeremiah felt compelled to take such drastic action.

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