In Tulsa King, Season 1, Episode 7, Charles “Chickie” Invernizzi’s conversation with Father Colocchio is a moment of rare vulnerability in a life hardened by crime, regret, and moral struggle. At first glance, the exchange might seem like a casual conversation between an aging mobster and a priest, but beneath the surface, it is rich with theological and philosophical depth. This scene is a meditation on sin, conscience, and redemption, revealing glimpses of beauty, goodness, and truth—even in a world of moral corruption.

The Beauty of Honest Reflection and Human Longing

Beauty is often understood in aesthetic terms, but true beauty is found in moments of raw human honesty and deep longing. Chickie’s interaction with Father Colocchio is beautiful not because it presents an idealized or sanitized view of human nature, but because it reveals a man wrestling with his past, his choices, and his buried conscience.

One of the most striking aspects of this scene is the beauty of memory. Chickie recalls, in vivid detail, an incident from his childhood—the moment his father encouraged him to steal an apple from a vendor’s cart. At the time, it seemed like a small, inconsequential act, but in retrospect, it became a defining moment in his moral formation. The image of a child being led into sin by his father is poignant, evoking the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:4-3:24, NIV). Just as Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit, Chickie’s father—someone who should have been his moral guide—leads him into wrongdoing. The stolen apple becomes a symbol of lost innocence, a moment when the purity of childhood was tainted by moral compromise (Rutgers University, “The Apple in the Garden of Eden: Linguistic and Artistic Origins”).

This memory is beautiful not because it is good, but because it reveals Chickie’s longing for something different. He confesses to Father Colocchio:

“I didn’t want this. I wanted to join the army, be a colonel, something.”

This admission is a powerful glimpse into the human heart’s desire for meaning, for purpose, for a life beyond the constraints of circumstance. Chickie’s longing for a different path suggests that, despite all he has done, he still believes in the possibility of something better. In theological terms, this is the human soul’s innate longing for God, the beauty of an unfulfilled but persistent yearning for truth and goodness.

The Goodness of Conscience and Moral Anchors

Goodness, like beauty, is often most visible in contrast to its opposite. In this scene, we see how the remnants of moral conscience persist even in a life shaped by sin. Chickie’s reflection on the stolen apple, his regret that no one stopped him, and his mother’s reaction all point to the presence of goodness—however obscured it may be.

The most obvious sign of goodness in this scene is the moral influence of Chickie’s mother, Amelia. When he confesses to her that his father made him steal, she berates his father for days. This detail, though small, is deeply significant. Amelia’s reaction reveals that she was a moral anchor in Chickie’s life, someone who upheld goodness even in a corrupt environment. Her anger at her husband’s actions shows that she understood the weight of what had happened: it was not just a stolen apple, but the first step in a lifelong pattern of moral compromise. Even years later, Chickie remembers her disapproval, suggesting that her moral witness planted a seed that was never fully extinguished.

Another sign of goodness is the priest’s quiet but firm guidance. Father Colocchio does not moralize or condemn Chickie outright; instead, he offers a simple but piercing truth:

“A man without conscience can never forgive himself. Because he doesn’t think he did anything wrong.”

This statement encapsulates one of the fundamental teachings of Christianity—that repentance is impossible without an awareness of sin. True goodness does not ignore wrongdoing, nor does it dismiss the possibility of redemption. The priest, by offering this insight, gently invites Chickie to reflect on his own conscience.

Finally, there is goodness in Chickie’s desire for justice, even if unfulfilled. When he says:

“I wish they did.”

—referring to the fact that no one stopped him from stealing the apple—he reveals a profound moral insight. Even though he was just a child, part of him wanted to be held accountable. He recognizes, at least subconsciously, that without correction, sin takes root. This desire for justice, though buried under years of wrongdoing, is evidence that goodness still lingers within him.

The Truth About Sin, Free Will, and Redemption

Truth is the foundation of this scene, and it unfolds in several profound ways.

First, the truth about sin is laid bare. Father Colocchio references C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, reminding Chickie:

“The safest road to hell is the gradual one.”

This is a crucial insight: sin is rarely an abrupt, dramatic fall but rather a slow erosion of conscience (Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, HarperOne, 2001). Chickie did not become a criminal overnight—his journey into sin began with small, seemingly insignificant choices. This mirrors the way sin often works in real life; it presents itself as minor, reasonable, or even necessary, until we find ourselves deeply entangled.

Second, the truth about free will emerges in Chickie’s lament that he never wanted his life to turn out this way. His words express an implicit truth: despite his father’s influence, despite his circumstances, he still had the ability to choose. While it is true that external forces shaped his path, it is also true that he made decisions along the way. This reflects the Christian understanding of free will: while our environments influence us, we are never completely deprived of moral agency.

Finally, the truth about redemption is hinted at, though not fully realized. The priest’s presence, the setting of the church, and Chickie’s willingness to engage in the conversation all suggest that grace is still at work. Though Chickie does not explicitly seek forgiveness, the seeds of faith are present. His ability to reflect, to recognize that something was lost, is the first step toward healing. Just as sin is a gradual descent, so too is the road to redemption.

Conclusion: An Invitation to Grace

This scene, though steeped in regret and moral struggle, is ultimately about the possibility of redemption. Beauty is found in Chickie’s honest reflection and longing for something more. Goodness is present in the lingering effects of his mother’s moral witness and in his desire for justice. Truth is revealed in the priest’s wisdom, the reality of sin’s slow corruption, and the ever-present possibility of grace.

Though Chickie does not yet turn toward redemption, the door remains open. Like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32, NIV), he has not yet returned home, but he has at least begun to recognize the emptiness of his current path. His soul, though wounded, is still capable of seeking the good. The question remains: will he respond to grace?

The beauty of this scene is that it leaves the answer open—but it also reminds us that redemption is always possible, even for those who seem farthest from it.

Sources

• C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, HarperOne, 2001.
• The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Genesis 2:4-3:24, Luke 15:11-32.
• Rutgers University, “The Apple in the Garden of Eden: Linguistic and Artistic Origins.”
• Bishop Robert Barron, The Strangest Way: Walking the Christian Path, Orbis Books, 2002.