Mayor of Kingstown Season 2 Episode 8 Review: Santa Jesus

Mayor of Kingstown Season 2 Episode 8, “Santa Jesus,” is one of the show’s strongest episodes of the season as Mike takes a day off the grid and Ian attempts to cover up a legal issue. As we inch closer to the endgame, it sets the wheels in motion for the final two episodes. 

Finally, finally, we’re getting somewhere. After four/five episodes of narrative plodding and twiddling our thumbs, Mayor of Kingstown catapults the plot forward. 

MIKE: I’m just taking a day. Nothing darker or deeper than that. Take a pause, a reset. 

Jeremy Renner delivers an understated, nuanced performance in “Santa Jesus.” While the writers wedge in a few requisite shouty moments for the actor, Renner’s at his best in the quieter, contemplative character beats. Mike’s quest to remain out of contact takes intriguing twists and turns, culminating in an unexpected reunion. This reunion will undoubtedly go poorly for Mike McLusky. 

Meanwhile, Mike follows through on his promise to get Bunny out of prison. Admittedly, the Bunny prison plot feels mostly unnecessary in a considerably weaker season than its predecessor.

Tobi Bamtefa is a stellar performer, easily one of the ensemble’s most consistent; however, keeping Bunny behind bars while he does essentially nothing is a disservice to Bamtefa as a performer and Bunny as a multifaceted character. Thankfully, Bunny is out, and it’ll be interesting to see how his story potentially intertwines with Mike’s in the coming episodes. 

BUNNY: Kingstown, it’s a new day. Motherf**king king is back. 

“Santa Jesus” experiments with new character dynamics, notably Kyle meeting Bunny for the first time. Digo’s and Bunny’s remarks to Kyle regarding police brutality inflicted upon the Black community, systemic racism, and the imbalanced justice system are wholly needed. They’re something Kyle, a cop who’s done his fair share of shady, below-the-belt dealings, must acknowledge. 

Mayor of Kingstown is at its best when it maintains that level of realism, puts its characters in their place, and condemns their atrocities. Ian’s episodic arc is another prime example of police corruption. Firstly, Ian uses Charlie’s presence to intimidate Morrisey into dropping the lawsuit against Robert.

Secondly, when Charlie kills Morrisey, Ian endeavors to conceal the murder for his own sake. Thirdly, Ian attempts to shoot Charlie in the head after taking him out for sweet treats. Ian’s narrative in “Santa Jesus” showcases the deeply entrenched moral corrosion intrinsic to Kingstown. It’s embedded in the prison town’s DNA. 

MILO: That lie was as perfect as love can be. A perfect illusion to the one who receives it. And even more so to the one who gives it. 

Hugh Dillon offers his best performance in the series thus far, especially when he struggles to kill Charlie. While we still don’t understand why Charlie asks explicitly to speak with Ian and their bond, it speaks volumes that Ian wavers in his intent to shoot a mentally unstable serial killer in the head. At the very least, it raises questions. Why does he hesitate here when he’s killed without thought and with impunity in the past? 

Iris and Milo reunite in “Santa Jesus” after spending most of the season apart (so far). Even with limited screen time, Emma Laird doles out beautifully subtle and heartbreaking work. Despite her bleak situation and hard-to-watch arc, Mayor of Kingstown doesn’t entirely paint Iris as a victim, as evidenced by her confidence and treatment of Joseph in this outing. 

Callie Thorne also delivers a memorable performance, given this is her debut in the series. The introduction of Allison raises questions aplenty. Namely, who is she to Mike (besides a roll in the hay)? Did we ever meet Terry at the Kingstown prison before the riots? Was she on the phone with Davidson when the latter attempted to kill Mike? 

While sweet and meant to be a bright spot on a perpetually grim narrative, Mariam’s storyline feels out of place since we’re so close to the season finale. It’s almost as if the writers wanted to redeem Mariam somehow. Perhaps her story would resonate more if the season spent longer than a few moments on it at a time. 

“Santa Jesus” is a significant improvement from the season’s earlier episodes, providing exciting action, compelling performances, and intriguing character dynamics in equal measure. It’s a much-needed revitalization for Mayor of Kingstown that leaves more questions than answers and a tantalizing cliffhanger. Here’s hoping the series can maintain this momentum for the last two episodes of the season. 

Stray Observations: 

• As someone who digs symmetry, I love that the episode starts with Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” and ends with it. 
• Did anyone else get nervous when Mike was attempting to dodge that car? It feels too much like art imitates life, or life imitates art, given what happened to Jeremy Renner two months ago. 
• Mike’s facial expression when Allison casually drops a racist remark as they lay entwined post-coitus is my facial expression upon hearing it. Let’s not spout antiquated, anachronistic, bigoted terms in the Year of Our Lord 2023. 
• Do you think we’ll ever see Dianne Wiest onscreen for more than two minutes per scene? At least we saw a bit more of Iris this time around. 
• At this point, everyone in Kingstown will die of alcohol poisoning. So much drinking! 
• Since Mike left his phone in his desk drawer, he doesn’t know Kyle found Iris. He’ll presumably learn about Iris’s whereabouts in episode nine, seeing as he reunites with Milo. 
• I hope we see Raphael again. He’s a fun character and a talented pianist. 

What did you think of this episode of Mayor of Kingstown? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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