SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for Mayor of Kingstown Season 4, Episode 7.

Season 4 of Mayor of Kingstown has been pushing the limits on a near-constant basis. From putting Kyle McLusky in prison to the unwanted return of Will Breen, there’s a lot testing the audience—which is what has made this season so effective. But Season 4, Episode 7 delivers a plot development that will make everyone cringe and brace themselves for the absolute worst.

The most important part is that “My Way” keeps viewers in suspense about Bunny Washington’s fate until the very last scene of the episode. It’s a very interesting way to play this, and reminiscent of what happened with Kingstown alum Michael Beach’s character on Tulsa King. That show made viewers worry that Mark Mitchell had been killed in a car bomb, only for him to be alive and spend several episodes in a hospital bed. (It was only fair to cut Mark a break, considering what happened to Kareem Moore.) Another show would have answered the Bunny question right off the top, but Mayor of Kingstown lets the rest of the characters stew in suspense… and make decisions based on that not knowing. Of course, the good news is that Bunny is alive—even if he’s now understandably hell-bent on revenge. But this show isn’t the same without Bunny.

The bulk of Season 4, Episode 7 is actually more devoted to the other villains. Per Mike’s deal with Nina Hobbs, Merle Callahan is kicked back to general population… but not before he goes on a whole speech at Kyle. One of the weaknesses of the episode is that the guards let him stand there and lecture for as long as he does. It’s a clear “because TV” kind of moment, yet it’s forgiveable because it gives Taylor Handley a moment in which to finally snap. Kyle has been barely holding himself together for six episodes, so when he yells back at Callahan, it’s like an overdue release.

Unfortunately, this paves the way for Callahan to escape in the back of a food service truck. He and his Aryan Brotherhood friends already have a plan in place that makes Anchor Bay security seem even more suspect than usual. The fact that personnel check the outside of the truck, but don’t think to look inside is another head-scratcher. But this, too, can be chalked up to dramatic license. The actual important point is that Callahan is a free man—and this should terrify viewers, because actor Richard Brake has been wonderful for two seasons making him as evil and creepy as possible. It’s very obvious that Callahan is going to make Mike or someone else close to him (other than Kyle) suffer before a final confrontation. Fans have every reason to brace themselves for more pain. Callahan is such an effective villain as he’s not just evil; he’s constantly making the audience uncomfortable. Did anyone really think the writers brought Richard Brake back just to have him sit in a prison cell for half a season?

Hobbs gets her own mini-arc as well. Kevin Jackson finds out when the next drug delivery into Anchor Bay is, and passes that information on, resulting in the truck being destroyed. Hobbs is now on the hook with her Colombian employers—who likewise waste no time in sending the same guy who killed Carney to her home. One of the most fascinating parts of “My Way” is how it pivots viewer opinion. The fans have been hating Hobbs all season and not unreasonably so. But watching her in abject fear reminds people that Nina Hobbs is a person, even if she’s a villain. Edie Falco plays those moments of terror so well now that she’s able to show more of Hobbs’ emotion.

The same can be said for Robert Sawyer. Robert’s first scene is trying to spend time with his son and his estranged wife Patty. It’s a reminder that Robert is a human being and viewers cannot easily write him off. In his case, though, that feeling doesn’t last long when Robert threatens Mike to Ian. He does not mince words—and neither does Ian when he warns Mike. But Ian does what Mike wouldn’t: neutralizes the liability, or at least attempts to, by getting Robert drunk and leaving him in his own car. One would think viewers would feel some degree of relief knowing how much violence and pain Robert has caused, from being the reason Kyle ended up in prison to most recently murdering a witness. But it’s hard not to feel for Robert anyway. It’s another unexpected way that Mayor of Kingstown affects its audience.

The show could have taken the straightest path forward and focused on the Bunny and Frank plotline, which is the meatiest storyline in the bunch. But “My Way” goes the opposite direction, focusing on all of the other antagonists and humanizing two of them so that the picture gets even less clear. It’s an hour where people have to pause and rethink the entire season, almost a chance to catch one’s breath before hell breaks loose. Because it certainly will: Callahan’s minutes of screen time are scarier than Hobbs, the cartel and Frank Moses put together.

It may all come down to Mike versus Callahan, which will feel a bit like Mike versus Milo Sunter. It took a few seasons for Mike to actually get rid of Milo. If Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 is really deconstructing the character of Mike McLusky, then a second (and final) rematch with the man who defines his past would be a perfect ending. “My Way” sets up all the story pins with a rising sense of dread, waiting for Callahan to knock them down.

Mayor of Kingstown streams Sundays on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Paramount+.

Article content is (c)2020-2026 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.