Mayor of Kingstown Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Kill Box
Mayor of Kingstown Season 2 Episode 5, “Kill Box,” finds Bunny in a tight spot while Mike fights tooth and nail to release him from prison.
“Kill Box” is a disappointment compared to last week’s narrative-advancing outing. That’s not to say it didn’t move the plot needle a smidge, but so much of what bogs down this series, well, also bogged down this episode. When Mayor of Kingstown is good, it’s great. In fact, it can be downright riveting.
MIKE: When I say I do a thing, the thing gets f**kin’ done.
However, Season 2 falls victim to the show’s innate structural traps, which are glaringly apparent in “Kill Box.” For example, the past three episodes or so have found Mike trying to get Bunny and the generals out of prison but falling short with every attempt.
We’ve been watching Mike fail in this vicious cycle where he’s incessantly chasing his own tail. The same goes for Kyle, who’s perpetually enmeshed in his career indecisiveness. Of course, Kyle’s also wading through his pain and grief from what he endured during the Kingstown riot and his actions following that incident, so his situation is more understandable.
That said, couple Kyle spinning in circles with Mike spinning in circles, and it all becomes a repetitive mess. On another note, “Kill Box” shuts out all of the show’s female leads save Nishi Munshi, who gets her first substantial scene all season, and her character spends it supporting the man in the room. We still know next to nothing about Tracy, save her marriage to Kyle.
BUNNY: There’s gotta be some design to this. ‘Cause Mike can’t control the chaos. Probably keepin’ us close in case we gotta strategize.
We don’t even see Iris, who plays a pivotal role in Mike’s story. He ostensibly abandons his mission to save Iris except for the veiled remark about Milo “stealing” something. We can assume that’s an allusion to Iris, at least.
While Mayor of Kingstown introduces a new female character to the mix, Rhonda, and Nona Parker Johnson delivers a solid performance in “Kill Box,” the show doesn’t know what to do with its women. We could have incredibly nuanced, intriguing, and wonderfully complex female characters. Instead, they’re sidelined in favor of the men.
Additionally, “Kill Box” brings forth yet another storyline involving Ian and Charlie, an inmate he visits. Their vague conversation hints at something to come, but whether it ties in with the main narrative remains to be seen. It feels too late in the season to introduce a new plotline.
BUNNY: You better have brought me a cake with a nail file in it.
All in all, “Kill Box” falls short of churning out a compelling story as it’s more of the same-old, same-old we’ve seen all season. Tobi Bamtefa’s beautifully layered performance as Bunny saves this episode, and his work, notably during Bunny’s in-person chat with Mike, keeps our eyes glued to the screen. Bunny’s one of the best characters on Mayor of Kingstown, hands down.
Here’s hoping the show turns it around in the coming episodes.
Stray Observations:
- Did anyone else get romance vibes between Bunny’s cousin Rhonda and Mike? Admittedly, Mike could use some joy in his life. A nice endorphin booster. I’ve never seen someone smile and/or laugh less than this man.
- If anything happens to Bunny, the masses will riot.
- It seems like Mayor of Kingstown recycles the same aerial shots of Mike driving around town in every episode. Hey, if it’s a cost-cutting measure, do what you gotta do, producers.
- Aidan Gillen’s a tremendous performer, but his accent shifts more than his character on Game of Thrones changed allegiances. That accent is the Petyr Baelish of Mayor of Kingstown.
- Kyle and Tracy’s scene delivers the rare sliver of happiness. It’s an excellent palate cleanser amid relentless, nihilistic bleakness.
What did you think of this episode of Mayor of Kingstown? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Mayor of Kingstown streams new episodes every Sunday on Paramount+. Try Paramount+ for free, right here
Follow us on Twitter and 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.