Mayor of Kingstown - Season 4 Recap & Review: Episode 410 - Belly of the Beast
- Chase Gifford
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." - Aesop
Just to list a few of the insane amount of projects Taylor Sheridan is working on: six Yellowstone spinoffs including 1883, 1923, and in development, 1944, The Madison, Y: Marshals, and another tentatively titled Dutton Ranch. He also helped create Landman, Tulsa King, Lioness, and the reason you’re here, Mayor of Kingstown. I think the most amazing aspect of so many projects in various stages of production is that most if not all are at least somewhat decent. My personal favorites are Lioness, Tulsa King, Landman, and Mayor of Kingstown. Lioness is giving the rest a run for their money as my favorite of the bunch, but right now I’d have to say Mayor is in the top spot.
I talked about this in my articles on The Terminal List: Dark Wolf recaps but I’m a sucker for a good “dad show.” And as bleak and hopeless as Mayor of Kingstown is, it is still very much a “dad show.”
And just for clarification for those who didn’t read my explanation of what a “dad show” is in the Dark Wolf articles:
“The characteristics often consist of action, violence, crime, and justice. Vengeance is a big theme in these kinds of series as well. They often satiate an internal desire for heroism at any cost, especially at the defiance of authority. The main character is usually an anti-hero or rather a morally conflicted hero willing to bend and or break what they hold to be true if it means their foes fall as a result.” In that regard, it’s hard to argue Mayor is anything but a “dad show.”
The IMDb description of Mayor of Kingstown is as follows:
“The McLusky family are power brokers tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry.”
If you’re reading this I assume you’ve seen the first three seasons and want an idea of what you’re in for with Season 4. So without any further delay, let us begin.
New Episodes begin October 26, 2025 and with new episodes every Sunday on Paramount+. The season finale will air on December 28, 2025.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Tobi Bamtefa, Hugh Dillon, Taylor Handley, Hamish Allan-Headley
S:4 E: 410 – Belly of the Beast
No technical spoilers, however each recap addresses what happens in each episode. If you don't want to be spoiled, watch the coinciding episode first and then come back to my recap and review.
Just when Kyle and Mike think their mission is straightforward, the Aryans strike. Automatic weapons. Full body armor. Element of surprise. Surrounded on all sides. Mike and Ian’s response is exacting and swift. One attacker is left alive soon wishing he wasn’t.
Bunny phones Kevin telling him he’s finally free of his obligations to him and the prison after one last task. He senses hope for the first time. In this place, hope is simply a red flag.
Back at the shot up diner, Mike and Kyle torture the only survivor of the ambush. They want Merle’s location. He isn’t giving it up so easily. His last minutes on earth are going to be the most excruciating of his entire miserable existence. In Kyle’s current mental state, his patience is little to nonexistent. Bad news for the asshole tied up in the basement.
Hobbs meets with the cartel point man notifying him the prison lockdown is ending that very day. This means violence within those walls.
Cindy is spinning from her ordeal at the prison. She did what she had to do but that doesn’t negate the fact that she took a life and must now live with that.
No exact location on Merle, they at least know he’s still in the area of Kingstown.
Kyle wants to go home. It’s burnt but it was the last place he saw her. Ian leaves him there not knowing what else to do. Seeing Kyle stand in the charred remains echoes just how much has changed in the last few years. From the loss of Mitch and their mother and now Tracy. It’s hard to fathom such cruelty.
Mike finds Merle’s hideout but Merle is gone. Mike is close though.
Bunny sends Raphael the signal. It’s time for retribution. The lockdown is ending and the scores are getting settled. Today. At the same time the brawl in prison is taking place, Bunny strikes against the cartel and he’s out for blood. It’s total chaos.
In a moment of utter shock, Merle gives himself up at the police station. He thinks he can do what he’s done and simply go back to prison unscathed. He’s in for a rude awakening. Mike pleads with Ian not to book him. No record of him entering that station can be made.
In the aftermath of the prison battle, Kevin is taking stock of what happened as he walks through the infirmary which is littered with wounded inmates. It’s the last thing he’ll ever do unfortunately. He was so close. Kingstown doesn’t let its citizens leave so easily.
Kyle finds his father’s old service revolver – the perfect weapon to deal with Merle. He’s just waiting for Mike to facilitate Merle. Soon, Kyle.
Bunny has Cortez. As he always seems to be, Cortez is oddly calm. As if he’s always a step ahead.
Much to Ian’s surprise, the chief deems Merle’s sudden appearance something that never happened. Too bad for Merle. Good news for Mike and Kyle.
It’s at the train tracks where we first saw Moses that Ian drags Merle to his fate. Mike and Kyle are there, waiting. As usual, Merle opens his mouth and it’s nothing but noise. He talks without saying anything. Merle thinks it’s going to be Mike that kills him. No. It’s Kyle. It was always going to be Kyle. At least for a moment, the arrogant smirk on Merle’s face fades at the sight of Kyle’s arrival. He wants a quick death. He won’t get it. This is for Tracy.
The tragedy of revenge is that once it’s over, the pain remains. Merle meets his fate, but she is still gone. Kyle and Mike must now face their new reality as, along with Kyle’s infant son, the only survivors of their bloodline. With the reputation of Kingstown, it begs the question – how long do they have left?
Out of 10
Story: 10/ Acting: 10/ Directing: 9/ Visuals: 10
OVERALL: 9.5/10
Overall thoughts on Episode 410: Belly of the Beast
This is a satisfying conclusion to a tumultuous season. By far the most violent and unforgiving season yet. There is resolution but also so much left undone. Cortez escapes and that’s bad for everyone. At least that scum, Merle, is gone. I also fear what Mike’s betrayal of Moses will bring to their town. Even as a prisoner, Moses is still a major threat. He’s a kingpin of Detroit with many connections who will undoubtedly react to Moses’ sudden incarceration. The McClusky brothers can catch their breath but not for long. Something is coming. I can feel it.
Season 4 Trailer: