Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 Premiere Review: Taylor Sheridan’s Crime Series Returns & Delivers

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WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Mayor of Kingstown season 4, episode 1.

The fourth season of Mayor of Kingstown begins with the episode “Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” immediately continuing the intense storyline from the previous season’s cliffhanger. The show, created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon (who also stars as Ian), doesn’t shy away from the consequences of past events, permanently removing Iris from the story and setting Kyle up for a likely prison sentence.

The core appeal of Mayor of Kingstown is still strong. It remains a dark and unsettling show with a consistently engaging storyline, even when it takes detours. This season focuses on Kyle’s imprisonment at Anchor Bay Correctional and the challenges Mike faces protecting him, especially with the arrival of the new, seemingly incorruptible Warden Nina Hobbs, who is even more dedicated to the rules than Kareem was last season.

Things really hit the fan after Mike and Evelyn had a falling out – she wouldn’t lift a finger to help Kyle avoid jail time, and I honestly couldn’t blame him for being upset. Evelyn kept pressing Ian for information about that loose cannon, Robert, but Ian stayed tight-lipped, probably realizing that turning Robert in would bring everyone – himself, Kyle, and even Mike – crashing down. With Mike’s usual connections cut off, it seems like he’s going to have to depend on some unlikely allies – CO Carney, Bunny, and even Callahan – to get Kyle through this. It’s a desperate situation, and I’m on the edge of my seat to see how it plays out!

Mayor Of Kingtown Season 4 Isn’t Backing Out On Its Shocking Season 3 Finale Developments

Many shows would have avoided the dramatic cliffhangers from last season – Iris’s death and Kyle’s arrest. But I’m really glad Mayor of Kingstown didn’t. Instead, season 4 immediately dives into the consequences of the bridge shootout from the finale and explores the unexpected fallout. It takes real courage to set up such big moments and then actually follow through with them, and Mayor of Kingstown is doing just that.

Currently, Mayor of Kingstown stands out as one of the most consistently good crime dramas on TV, largely because it has a very clear and distinct style. Unlike other shows by the same creator, like Tulsa King, which has experimented with different tones and genres recently, Mayor of Kingstown has stayed true to its core identity throughout. Despite having a lot of intense violence, the show is so well-paced and focused that it pulls you in and makes you forget to question how realistic everything is.

With Iris definitively gone—unless the show surprises us with a resurrection like Milo—it feels like the right move for the story. Her constant shifting between Joseph, Milo, and Konstantin in earlier seasons was effective at first, but it became predictable, suggesting the writers weren’t quite sure how to develop her character. Hopefully, we’ll finally understand what Iris meant to Mike when he learns about her death, if that happens this season.

Kyle’s Prison Arc Is A Fantastic Direction For The Series & Will Test Mike Like Never Before

The show Mayor of Kingstown doesn’t shy away from killing off characters, starting with Mitch in the very first episode and continuing with Miriam in the season two finale. Kareem’s death was particularly impactful, but it demonstrates that any character could be at risk—with the notable exception of Mike.

Although Kyle is incarcerated, Mike will face unprecedented challenges this season. He feels helpless about the situation, particularly dealing with the inflexible new warden who won’t cooperate. Because Mike previously warned there would be repercussions if anything happened to Kyle, viewers can anticipate those unfolding in season 4, episode 2. While Mike is relieved to be rid of Milo – at least Milo was someone he could negotiate with – Nina is proving to be an unyielding force. Her line, “Tell that to Jesus,” perfectly illustrates their dynamic.

The new season kicks off with a bang, introducing Frank Moses in a truly inventive scene – he uses a freight train to take out a group of Russians! It was so good, it immediately set the tone. I’m also intrigued by Cindy, the new member of the CO team, and how she’ll work with Mike and Kyle – she has the potential to be a real asset.

The fourth season of Mayor of Kingstown starts off incredibly strong. The premiere episode is fantastic and immediately grabs your attention, continuing the story from where we left off while also introducing compelling new characters and challenges. With nine episodes still to come, the season has already made a powerful start.

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2025-10-26 21:21