Staring At The Devil – The episode begins with an inmate being brutally beaten to death. A drive-by shooting leaves dozens dead and a girl injured. The young woman (Braxtyn McKinney) is on the phone with a 911 dispatcher when a gang storms the yard, killing her. A Crip shooter (Xavier Michael) warns the 911 operator that the police will become victims like everyone inside the house.

Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner) warns Iris (Emma Laird) that Milo Sunter (Aidan Gillen) will find her in Kingstown where nothing stays hidden. She assures him that Milo will find him as well.

When Kyle McLusky (Taylor Handley) discovers Mike’s plan to leave Iris at his house, he reminds him of Tracy McLusky (Nishi Munshi) and their mother, Mariam McLusky (Dianne Wiest). Iris overhears Kyle calling her a “hooker” when Mariam approaches. She tries to leave but Mike stops her. Mariam tells Tracy to take her to the spare room. He promises to pick her up later before heading out the door.

Mike arrives at the scene of the drive-by shooting where he meets Ian (Hugh Dillon). Ian says this is how Deverin “Bunny” Washington (Tobi Bamtefa) repays them for giving him a pass. Mike assures him that it wasn’t Bunny who ordered the drive-by but someone inside the prison. Ian says he assumed there were no leaders inside the prison. Mike suggests they’re all trying to play leader because there are none on the inside. A police officer (Brandon Tyler Moore) says the assailants fired at them before fleeing. He shows them a weapon with a muzzle break lying in the grass. Stevie (Derek Webster) says gangsters are now gunsmiths. Mike tells him that they may have picked it up from the Mexicans.

Mike and Ian follow a blood trail to a severely injured Ray Ray (Marcus Gladney Jr.). After explaining what happened, he assures him that they can play the same game. Mike warns him that they’ll target the schools and their mothers’ workplaces. Ray Ray assures him that it won’t stop. Mike asks if they partnered with Mexicans. Ray Ray claims his 8-year-old sister was gunned down at a bus stop. Mike asks who ordered the drive-by. Ray-Ray says no one, it’s just warring as he takes his last breath.

Evelyn (Necar Zadegan) complains to Mike about her job. She contributes it to her being single. Mike assures her that it’s because she’s smarter than everyone and lets everyone know it.

Mike asks Bunny what was the massacre on 23rd Street about. After denying any connection to the drive-by, Bunny suggests the order came from an inmate. Mike demands he gets control of the outside. Bunny says a leader is needed inside but it’ll take time. Mike promises to handle the guards. Bunny tells him that he’ll need to mediate it. Mike reluctantly agrees but warns it’ll hurt. He assures him that once it’s over, there will be no need to hide on the rooftop. They agree to meet in three hours.

Mike tells Evelyn that he can get leaders for the four gangs at war but they’ll need to be in prison. He says if they’re inside, they can pick new leaders. She describes the plan as “insane.” He reminds her that the gang leaders on the inside also control the outside. She agrees to go along with it.

Mike tells Kareem (Michael Beach) that they need to choose new leaders for Tent City to get order on the inside and outside. Kareem says let them kill each other. Mike warns him that the gangs will hit his children’s schools, local churches, and playgrounds.

Robert (Hamish Allan-Headley) frisks Bunny, Dedrick (Marcus Brandon), Luis (Reinaldo Feberlle), and Gunner (Dylan Kenin). After telling them that he’s based in Grand Rapids, Gunner admits there is no one ready to lead in Kingstown. Bunny asks how he can be sure the members of his gang in Kingstown will obey his orders. Gunner assures him that anyone who disobeys his orders will no longer be his people.

Mike informs them that the interim warden will intervene when a conflict erupts inside the prison. Dedrick asks what the inmates are supposed to do about food with the work programs being suspended. Kareem says Tent City doesn’t have refrigerators so bag food will have to do until the inmates are moved back into the prison. When Evelyn pulls up, they ask what the District Attorney is doing there. Mike informs them that they’re all under arrest for possession of firearms. When there is peace, the charges will be dropped.

Mike returns to Mariam’s to find Iris gone.

Kyle tells Morass (Michael Gaston) that he’s an “asshole” for pulling a motorist over after forcing him to speed. Morass says it’s only a DUI, not a prison riot. Kyle suggests waiting until he’s in position to approach the car when the driver fires several shots into Morass. Kyle follows up by killing the driver and passenger. He breaks down sobbing when he sees a child in the vehicle.

Iris visits a local church where she meets Milo. She tells him that she doesn’t have a home.

The inmates are raising a ruckus until Bunny, Dedrick, Gunner, and Luis emerge from the prison bus. Bunny says the inmates must never pray or they wouldn’t be staring at the devil as the episode comes to an end.

 

Mayor Of Kingstown Review

Following a drive-by shooting, Evelyn and Mike lure Bunny, Gunner, Dedrick, and Luis to a warehouse where they’re arrested on felony gun charges. The plan is to put the four gang leaders in prison to bring peace on the outside.

Morass tailgates a motorist pulling a boat until he exceeds the speed limit. Kyle urges him to approach the car only when he’s in position but he doesn’t listen. The driver fires several shots, killing Morass. Kyle kills the driver and passenger before realizing an infant is in the vehicle.

Mike drops Iris off at Mariam’s house while he works the drive-by shooting. Kyle isn’t any too thrilled with his decision. When he returns, Iris is gone. She meets Milo at a local church.

The episode is a product of weak writing, it deserves a 5.5. Get more Mayor of Kingstown recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking on the link. Ask about our advertising packages to reach hundreds of thousands of consumers monthly.