'Mayor of Kingstown' fans in a tizzy over Mike and Iris's strange 'sibling' dynamic
KINGSTOWN, MICHIGAN: Since the first season of 'Mayor of Kingstown,' Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner) has gone to great lengths to protect Iris (Emma Laird), often risking his own safety for her well-being. From the moment Mike unofficially took on the role of Mayor, Iris has remained a pivotal character in the series.
Described as a woman of such beauty that she could easily seduce and mesmerize men, Iris was called upon by the Russian mobster Milo Sunter (Aidan Gillen) in 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 1. He ordered her to leave New York and come to Kingstown with the goal of seducing and controlling Mike.
Since encountering Iris in Season 1 of 'Mayor of Kingstown,' Mike has felt a compelling need to protect and support her. His dedication to her safety was so intense that Milo could manipulate Mike by threatening Iris.
In Season 2, Iris betrayed Mike for Milo, only to face the consequences later on. As Season 3 progresses, Iris's actions and the evolving dynamic between her and Mike become source of frustration for fans.
Mike and Iris's complex dynamic leaves 'Mayor of Kingstown' fans frustrated
Fans have taken to Reddit to express their frustration over the relationship between Mike and Iris in 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3. Many Reddit users find it baffling that Mike continues to put himself in danger for Iris.
A fan's Reddit post titled 'What’s Up with Mike and Iris?' has ignited a heated discussion among viewers of 'Mayor of Kingstown.' A fan wrote on Reddit, "So initially Mike said he was offended that Milo sent a 20 -22 year old to seduce him. I know that’s she’s totally infatuated with him (as anyone her age would be). But what’s up with Mike? Does he see her as a lil’ sister to protect …because I’m noticing sexual tension. If he sleeps with her, I’ll totally lose respect for him."
Another fan commented on this post on Reddit, saying, "He doesn't sleep with her. He sees in her himself, the lost soul that is nowhere to go. Her salvation is his salvation through her."
Another fan shared on Reddit, "Yeah, I think it also has to do with the fact that she came along right after his brother was murdered and he couldn't save him so he's invested in saving/protecting this girl. Idk, maybe it is like the sister he never had. He def acts like she's family for sure." A fan replied to this comment on Reddit, saying, "I believe that - but it seems like the tension’s still there."
A die hard fan of 'Mayor of Kingstown' shared their perspective on the age difference between Mike and Iris. The fan wrote on Reddit, "She’s too young for him- I reached a certain age and every girl under twenty-five immediately seemed too young, I think Mike is the same."
However, another fan shared different perspective. The fan wrote on Reddit, "I see it slightly differently. He wants to save her and get her out of that life (and out of Kingstown) because it’s already too late to save himself. I hope I’m wrong of course."
Another fan described the relationship between Mike and Iris as "weird." The fan wrote on Reddit, "I hope they never sleep together also. The whole relationship is so weird. Maybe she'll just go away."
The fan continued, "And this is more speculation, but my thinking is that Mike wants to save her and get her out of that life because then maybe he could save himself and get out as well. In the first season he asks his mother how he leaves Kingstown following the death of Mitch, and she tells him you just leave, and Mike doesn’t really know how to do that quite yet, so maybe Iris is his way of proving to himself that it’s possible."
A fan said on Reddit, "She's infatuated with him because he actually cares about her and all of the other men in her life treated her like shit/property (mostly Milo)."
A fan remarked that Mike cares deeply for Evelyn Foley (Necar Zadegan). The fan wrote on Reddit, "I can't see them hooking up. Unless she gets him black out drunk or something. I think he cares for Evelyn too much."
Mike and Evelyn shared a passionate kiss in 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Episode 5, suggesting they may be in a relationship. This revelation also indicates that any romantic possibilities between Mike and Iris might not happen.
Another fan also echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Mike and Evelyn's passionate kiss in Episode 5. The fan wrote on Reddit, "I do not see any sexual tension between them at all. He has a saviour complex. That’s his whole thing - keeping people safe. He knows how young women like her are used up and disposed of by these powerful criminals. Watching last episode - he has a good thing with the DA."
A fan wrote on Reddit, "I don't see any romance or sexual tension between them at all. Mike also seems dedicated to Evelyn." While another wrote on Reddit, "He sees her almost like a daughter. No, Mike would never sleep with Iris. He sleeps with his peers. That is why he sleeps with the District Attorney whenever they get a chance. He is not some sexually frustrated weirdo who needs young women to make him feel fulfilled. Those guys get shot within a minute in Kingstown."
Another fan humorously commented on Reddit, "I wish they’d just kill Iris off. Seriously what blackmail does she have on Taylor Sheridan?"
Can Iris and Mike McLusky ever be together?
In 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Episode 5, Iris's actions indicated her deep feelings for Mike, as she showed a readiness to put herself in danger for his sake.
She ventured into a club where she encountered Konstantin (Yorick van Wageningen). Iris saw her association with Konstantin as a strategy to aid Mike, using this pretense to protect him.
Iris learned that the Aryan Brotherhood and Konstantin had formed an alliance to distribute drugs together. She passed this valuable information to Mike using a burner phone.
She is willing to betray even powerful figures like Konstantin for his sake, risking everything, including potential retaliation from Konstantin. If Konstantin finds out, it could result in serious consequences. Konstantin can even kill her.
Despite her deep feelings for Mike, it appears that Mike does not feel the same way, as he consistently advises her to leave Kingstown. Given the current circumstances, it seems unlikely that Iris and Mike will ever be together romantically.
How to stream 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3?
'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Episodes 1-5 are currently available for streaming on Paramount+. New episodes of 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 are released on Paramount+ every Sunday.
Don't have a Paramount+ subscription? Worry not! We have got you covered. Paramount+ Essential plan, priced at $5.99 per month, offers subscribers access to a wide range of content but includes ads during streaming.
Paramount+ with Showtime plan, priced at $11.99 per month, provides an ad-free streaming experience and includes access to Showtime's premium content library.
'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 trailer