by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
As Mike fights for control and protection for his brother in the new regime, other players begin to stake their territory on the second episode of Mayor of Kingstown, Promises to Keep.
Only hours after learning of Kyle’s attack, Mike confronts Warden Hobbs as she arrives at the prison. His anger simmers just below the surface as he accuses her of breaking their agreement. Hobbs reminds him coldly that there was no agreement, only her promise to keep Kyle alive, a promise she’s technically kept.
Mike steps closer, his voice low and dangerous. He warns her that if anything else happens to his brother, the same will happen to her. Without waiting for a response, he turns and walks away. Hobbs watches him go, then tells her assistant, “It’s time to reassign Carney.”
When he’s done with the warden, Mike meets with Bunny to arrange a hit on the inmate who attacked his brother. Bunny assures Mike he’ll handle it. Then he adds that he’s already been in contact with Frank Moses, the guy behind the Russian hit, and struck a deal, and Frank wants a meeting. Mike simply says, “He knows where to find me.”
Later, Frank arrives at Mike’s office. Calm and confident, he introduces himself and proposes an alliance: protection in exchange for payment. Mike dismisses the offer, saying he doesn’t do what he does for profit, only for peace. Frank counters that they’re already working together, after what happened to the Russians. Mike gives him nothing. Frank leaves, reading the message clearly.
Meanwhile, inmate Callahan continues to “prime the pump,” consoling a recovering Kyle by whispers through the vent. He offers cigarettes and pain pills under the guise of compassion, and lets it slip that Kyle’s attacker “met his maker.” Callahan praises him for having enough reach to make things happen inside, a subtle manipulation wrapped in camaraderie.
That night, Mike meets Officer Cindy Stephens (Laura Benanti) at a bar while waiting for Carney. When Carney doesn’t show, Mike asks Cindy to keep an eye on Kyle from the inside, to be his eyes and ears. He tells her it may mean taking calls from him now and then. Cindy hesitates, worried about breaking regulations, but reluctantly agrees.
Across town, Carney is at home preparing dinner for his father. As he heads for the door to meet Mike, two muffled gunshots echo through the house. Carney collapses just inside the entryway. The killer places on last bullet to the body and moves through the home, passing Carney’s father, who turns his face away in silent resignation. The gunman smiles, then exits through the back door.
Closing Thoughts
After what appears to be a show of authority by Warden Hobbs, how far will she go to “correct” her prison, and how long before she and Mike cross paths? What are Callahan’s plans for Kyle? And is Frank Moses a friend or foe? Can Mike afford to cross his Detroit muscle?
New episodes of Mayor of Kingstown premiere on Paramount+ every Sunday night.
