The fourth season of Mayor of Kingstown begins with a brutal display of power from a new gangster and a devastating personal crisis for Mike McLusky as his brother, Kyle, willingly reports to the dangerous Anchor Bay prison. The premiere episode, titled “Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” picks up the pieces from last season’s explosive finale, showing that the death of key players like Milo has only created a vacuum that new, dangerous forces are eager to fill.
A Grisly Opening and a New Threat
The season opens with a chilling scene that introduces a new character, Frank Moses. A soft-spoken man is seen talking about the history of the copper penny before placing one on a railroad track. The camera then reveals that he has also lined up several bound men on the same tracks. A freight train approaches, killing the men in a gruesome execution. This instantly establishes Frank as a ruthless and formidable new player in Kingstown’s criminal landscape.
The bodies are discovered to be Russian gangsters, leading Mike to note that the city is now facing “the devil we don’t know.” This event signals that even with Milo and Konstantin gone, the town’s troubles are far from over. Mike warns Bunny about this new threat, but the full scope of the danger Frank represents remains unknown.
Kyle’s Choice and Mike’s Desperation
The central plot of the episode follows Kyle McLusky as he prepares to begin a prison sentence. After shooting fellow police officer Robert Sawyer to protect an unarmed civilian in the Season 3 finale, Kyle accepted a plea deal. His sentence was reduced from 20 years to a potential six months, but he must serve the time in the volatile Anchor Bay prison.
Kyle is at peace with his decision, believing he did the right thing. He tells his wife, Tracy, that once he is released, they will sell their house and leave Kingstown for good. Mike, however, is desperate to protect his brother. He knows that as a former police officer, Kyle will be a target for every inmate with a grudge. Mike tries to secure assurances from everyone he can, including Bunny, who promises that his people inside will look after Kyle.
About the bond between Mike and Bunny, Jeremy Renner said, “They’re as close to family as you can have and as close to trusting as you can have… It’s like family, but they operate in a way that’s, ‘I trust you. I’m really giving you a lot of trust rope, but you screw me, I’ll want to bury you.’”
A New Warden Shuts Down Mike
Mike’s efforts hit a major obstacle when he meets the new warden of Anchor Bay, Nina Hobbs. She is a no-nonsense administrator with a reputation for fixing “flawed institutions” and immediately makes it clear that she will not follow the old rules. She dismisses Carney’s influence and refuses to offer Mike any special deals or protections for his brother.
When Mike asks her to keep Kyle safe, Warden Hobbs assures him that Kyle will not die under her care, but she will not give him any special treatment. She firmly tells Mike, “I’m not Kareem. There’s no more free passes. This is my castle now, and only I can lower the drawbridge.” This leaves Mike with significantly less influence inside the prison walls than he is used to.
Edie Falco described her character’s confidence, saying, “I think she maybe is too convinced of herself. It never occurs to her that anything will really challenge her sense of authority over that place.”
A Brotherhood Under Strain
Mike’s relationship with Assistant District Attorney Evelyn Foley has completely broken down. Mike blames her for sending Kyle to prison, even though she secured a lighter sentence. During a heated argument in his office, Mike tells Evelyn that she is “dead to him,” cutting off a key alliance he once had with law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Ian is dealing with his own problems. Evelyn is pressuring him to give up information on the rogue cop Robert, but Ian refuses, knowing that Robert could bring down many others if he flips. Ian is also keeping a major secret from Mike: he has learned that Iris overdosed and died after he put her on a bus out of town. Ian decides to conceal this news, believing Mike is already overwhelmed with Kyle’s situation.
A Violent Welcome to Anchor Bay
Despite Mike’s efforts, Kyle’s first day in prison is as bad as feared. As he is being walked to his cell, an inmate attacks him, brutally beating him with a lock in a sock. The assault leaves Kyle covered in bruises and with broken bones. Fearing another attack, he refuses to go to the infirmary.
As Kyle lies injured in his cell, a voice from the next cell speaks to him. It is Merle Callahan, the leader of the Aryan Brotherhood, who tells him that avoiding the infirmary was a wise decision. Being next to one of the prison’s most dangerous men signals that Kyle’s nightmare is just beginning.
While Kyle is being attacked, Mike is distracted by another crisis. Bunny’s motorcade is attacked in the streets by gunmen, which Mike and Ian help to stop. The timing of this attack suggests a coordinated effort to destabilize Bunny’s operations. The surviving attacker is revealed to be from Colombia, hinting at a possible cartel connection to the new violence in Kingstown.
A Changed Landscape in Kingstown
The premiere sets the stage for a season where Mike’s control is being challenged from all sides. With a new, unpredictable gangster in Frank Moses, a rigid new warden who refuses to cooperate, his brother in extreme danger, and his key alliances shattered, Mike faces his toughest test yet. The power vacuum in Kingstown has been filled, and the rules have changed.
Also Read: Jeremy Renner to Return as Mike McLusky in Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 Following Paramount Renewal
