Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 Episode 9 Recap & Ending Explained

I’ve been hooked on Mayor of Kingstown since the beginning, but Season 4 has been a rough ride—darker, more brutal, and Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky just carries this quiet exhaustion that’s hard to shake. Episode 9 (the penultimate one, dropped recently on Paramount+) feels like the calm before the finale storm. Mike’s back in control after hitting bottom, laser-focused on cleaning up Kingstown and getting brother Kyle out of prison. He finally targets big bad Frank Moses (the “King of Detroit”), knowing taking him down solves multiple problems. But with Merle Callahan still out there after killing Tracy? Mike’s playing the long game—secure Kyle first, let him handle Callahan for closure. Renner plays it all with that trademark composure; you know the wheels are turning behind those tired eyes.

No big surprises on Robert Sawyer—he’s confirmed dead from a couple episodes back (Ian orchestrated it). Episode opens with cops pulling his body from the garage. Likely his wife Patty tipped them off, or maybe Ian anonymously. Either way, Mike knows Ian did it, but no hard feelings—Robert was broken, would’ve come for them eventually.

Robert’s death is Mike’s leverage with DA Evelyn. She wanted him for cases, but now? Hunt’s over. Mike pushes the deal: deliver prosecutable case on Moses, she releases Kyle (who took the fall protecting everyone). Evelyn preps papers—Mike’s got his plan locked.

The meat is Mike trapping Moses brilliantly. He knows Moses is grieving LJ (his lifelong friend/general, killed last episode on Mike’s orders via Lamar). Moses is blinded by rage, wants vengeance. Mike plays it smart—visits, bonds over shared loss (Tracy’s death), offers to “help” find the killer using KPD connections. Moses bites, thinking Mike’s a true ally.

Mike calls Lamar: act normal, come out. Lamar does—Bunny’s guys snatch him (black van abduction). Mike feeds Moses the location, saying Lamar did it. Moses heads there alone (bit convenient, but grief makes people sloppy). Finds tied-up Lamar, shoots him point-blank. Ian and Stevie burst in—catch Moses red-handed for murder.

Moses alone felt off—he’s the big Detroit kingpin, should’ve brought muscle. But mourning LJ makes him reckless. Mike counted on it.

Prison chaos explodes meanwhile. CO Breen’s been unraveling—humiliated in Ad Seg, restricted duty. Clyde mocks him further, sends for cleanup of soiled cell. Inmates chant, push Breen over edge. He grabs shotgun from armory, massacres Ad Seg—brutal sequence, one of season’s best.

Breen heads for Kyle’s cell to finish him, but Cindy shoots Breen dead—saves Kyle. Kyle’s ready to die at that point—numb from Tracy’s loss, suicidal vibes. But survives. Hobbs lies about deputy Torres “resigning”—likely Cortez killed him.

Ending: Evelyn delivers—Kyle released. Mike picks him up, but tension thick—Kyle’s broken inside, popping pills again. Stop at Don’s Diner with Ian/Stevie. As they leave, masked gunman in riot gear opens fire—Stevie hit in shoulder, everyone ducks.

Who sent the shooter? Theories: Callahan/Aryans? Nah, not their style—too equipped. Colombians? Possible retaliation for shipment leak (though Kevin Jackson did it). But Moses most likely—furious over betrayal, promised to “flatten the town.” Has resources for automatic weapons, riot gear. Maybe second shooter for Bunny too.

Episode sets finale perfectly—Kyle’s revenge looming (he’ll kill Callahan, turn colder like Mike), shooter mystery, Moses in custody but dangerous. Renner’s Mike is the calm center in chaos—you feel his fear for Kyle becoming him.

Season’s been heavy, but this one’s tense setup. That diner attack cliffhanger? Brutal. Who’s your bet on the shooter? Moses feels right, but twists coming. Can’t wait for finale.