by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
Mike goes toe-to-toe with Hobbs over the Callahan “problem,” and Ian goes to great lengths to sabotage Evelyn’s case against him in the fifth episode of Mayor of Kingstown, “Damned.”
After learning that Callahan occupies the cell next to his brother, Mike heads to the prison first thing in the morning. Meanwhile, Bunny and Frank’s crew are loading a shipment of weapons onto a train, unaware that the cartel’s assassin is watching from a distance, quietly taking notes.
Mike meets with Kyle and breaks the news that his new neighbor is Callahan, the former leader of the Aryan Brotherhood. Kyle is rattled. Reflecting on everything he’s done, he tells Mike that he hasn’t given Callahan anything, nor has Callahan given him anything besides unsolicited advice. Kyle begs Mike to get Tracy to safety. The two agree to remain cordial with Callahan but offer him nothing and accept nothing.
Leaving the cellblock, Mike storms into the administration area and nearly snaps Assistant Warden Torres’s arm when she tries to stop him. Warden Hobbs intervenes and brings Mike into her office. Mike tells her he knows Callahan was placed beside his brother. Hobbs claims she has only just learned of it herself and has already filed paperwork to have Callahan moved. Sensing the lie, Mike accuses her of corruption and implies she’s working with the cartel, who are effectively running the prison. He offers help; she throws him out.
Mike briefs Ian on his suspicions and asks him to dig into the warden. Later, Ian and Stevie pull Hobbs over with two backup units and search her vehicle without a warrant. Ian discovers a cartel-issue, untraceable gangster gun hidden in a secret compartment and pockets it without Hobbs noticing. After being released by the police, Hobbs discovers the gun is missing and swears loudly. That evening, Ian tells Mike what he found, confirming the warden is exactly what Mike feared.
After parting with Mike, Ian is summoned to Captain Walter’s office. Walter informs him that a Grand Jury is convening and that the DA has a witness. He warns Ian to keep his head down. Ian nods, thanks him, retrieves Robert, and they track down the witness. When the man refuses to talk, Robert shoots him in the neck; Ian finishes the job. Robert digs their bullets out of the body, and they dump it in the river.
Back inside the prison, Callahan probes Kyle for information about the visit. Kyle lies, claiming he met with his lawyer about changing his plea. Callahan keeps pushing, offering him a cigarette. Kyle declines. Callahan reveals he knows Mike was there and confirms his own identity, knowledge he assumes Kyle now has thanks to Mike.
After moving Tracy to safety and finishing a long day, Mike returns to his office to find Warden Hobbs waiting for him. She waves a white flag, admits defeat, and tells Mike that Callahan will be transferred in the morning. Mike again offers help. She walks away.
But at the prison, something else is happening. As Callahan gives Kyle a cryptic warning about killing those closest to you, guards suddenly and ominously appear and move Kyle from segregation into general population. Inmates stir and whisper as Kyle walks across the room to an open bunk.
At that same moment, Mike’s phone rings. The hope is that it’s a call about Kyle, but it’s Bunny, calling while Mike is still in his office with Cindy. Bunny tells him to head to the roof and “check out the view.” From the rooftop, Mike sees a train in the distance, completely engulfed in flames and barreling down the tracks. Furious, Bunny tells him the train had his stuff on it.
Closing Thoughts
How will Kyle be able to survive the night? What will Mike do when he finds out about Kyle’s predicament? Will Mike find out too late? And what will the retribution look like when Mike and Bunny take action?
