'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Episode 9: Why Mike's bold move to end gang wars once and for all may backfire
Contains spoilers for 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3
LANSING, MICHIGAN: In 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Episode 9, Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner) spent all of his time to address Kingstown's gang problem as the series approaches its finale.
Mike devises a bold plan to manipulate rival gangs into clashing, hoping to destabilize their power and regain control of Kingstown.
Mike visits Merle Callahan (Richard Brake), the leader of the Aryan Brotherhood, in the hospital and informs him that the KPD is going after Bunny Washington (Tobi Bamtefa) because they are aware that Bunny ordered the bomb attack in the Kingstown prison to kill Merle.
However, it seems Mike's bold plot to have the gangs move against each other may backfire.
Mike's plotting against Bunny may lead to peace in Kingstown
![Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky and Tobi Bamtefa as Bunny Washington in a still from 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 (@paramount+)](http://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/fc8d0018-802c-41bf-ba0f-397e6813f398.png)
For the first time in 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3, Mike has turned against Bunny in Episode 9. Mike's decision to oppose Bunny is driven by his desire to bring peace to Kingstown.
Despite making deals with all the gangs after prison riot, Mike heavily favored Bunny in 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 2. He prioritized Bunny's release from prison once Bunny arranged for Raphael (D Smoke) to lead the Crips gang inside.
He targeted the Aryan Brotherhood members but covered for Bunny after he ordered the hit on Robert (Hamish Allan-Headley). He kept the KPD in the dark about Bunny's involvement.
In 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3, Mike's problems are only intensified because of Bunny. Bunny ordered a bomb attack in prison with the intent to kill Merle, but Merle survived while other people died.
This attack has already enraged Merle, further complicating the volatile situation in Kingstown. Mike's alliance with Bunny, which once seemed beneficial, has now become a major source of trouble.
In Episode 9, Mike requested Konstantin (Yorick van Wageningen) to target Bunny’s military weapon operation. This move was driven purely by Mike’s interest in the stability and safety of Kingstown.
Mike is determined to prevent further deaths in Kingstown, particularly those caused by his own friend. If Bunny does not have access to a bomb, he cannot effectively target or launch an attack.
How Mike’s plan could escalate violence in Kingstown
![Fans react to the 'F-bombs' in Jeremy Renner starrer 'Mayor of Kingstown' (@paramount+)](https://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/19fbf76e-09c9-44a7-b273-9452be5a9ee7.png)
Mike meets with Bunny and informs him that he is willing to hand over Merle, but first, Bunny needs to listen to his proposal. Following this, Mike meets with Konstantin and requests that he carry out an attack on Bunny’s weapon supply.
Mike persuades Konstantin by claiming that Bunny has betrayed him, thereby putting pressure on Konstantin to focus his efforts on Bunny. Both Bunny and Konstantin are convinced by Mike’s claims. However, Merle does not trust Mike.
Mike's ambitious scheme to incite conflict among the gangs appeared successful when both Bunny and Konstantin agreed to cooperate with him. However, Merle’s actions - killing the guard and hiding in the hospital - changed everything.
Mike intended for Raphael to kill Merle, but when he arrived at the hospital, he discovered that a guard had already been killed and Merle was hiding at the hospital.
This effectively disrupted the initial phase of Mike’s plan, which was meant to have Raphael eliminate Merle.
![Richard Brake as Merle Callahan in a still from 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 (@paramount+)](https://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/81c3d3d3-c585-4606-a947-dfa0d9ed07b1.png)
It was crucial for Mike to keep his word to Bunny. Now, Bunny might believe that Mike deceived him, which could lead to an escalation of violence in Kingstown and potentially put Mike in danger.
Merle also realizes that Mike lied about the KPD targeting Bunny, which might drive him to seek revenge. This could trigger an open war both on the streets of Kingstown and within the prison, and potentially result in a direct attack on Mike.
Additionally, Konstantin might reconsider hitting Bunny’s operation after witnessing Mike’s betrayal of both Merle and Bunny.
How to stream 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3?
![Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky in a still from Mayor of Kingstown (@paramount+)](https://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/13007566-d701-4222-b7e2-41f6d139a42e.png)
'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Episodes 1-9 are currently available for streaming on Paramount+.
'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Finale Episode is set to premiere on Paramount+ on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
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'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 trailer