Warning! SPOILERS about Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 4 ahead.

The chaotic aftermath of the KPD parking bombing in Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 4 set up the basis for Callahan’s request to Mike as seen in Mayor of Kingstown season 3’s trailer. Callahan’s return in Mayor of Kingstown season 3 upset Mike, especially given that he learned about it from Bunny, taking him by surprise. However, Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 4 also showed Mike treading very carefully around Callahan, evidently not trusting him and not letting the guard down one moment, proof that Mike expected to handle Callahan very differently from the other Kingstown gang leaders.

Mayor of Kingstown season 3 didn’t explain Callahan’s backstory, but it showed time and time again how important he was within the Aryan Brotherhood. Indeed, Callahan’s first scene at Millhaven not only introduced him as someone whose counsel mattered to other AB members but also as someone evidently with power, given that the news about the police lighting up the AB hideout in Kingstown reached him almost immediately. Callahan’s moves, coupled with other criminals’ willingness to court him so that they could do business with him, all confirmed his importance, and Mike’s approach with him underlined how dangerous he was.

The Bombings Aftermath Made It Easier For Callahan To Ask Mike Favors In Mayor Of Kingstown

Callahan Complying Got Him To Gen Pop & Secured Him Mike’s Word He Will Answer

Mike and Callahan’s first meeting in Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 4 was obvious in showing the difference between Mike’s cautious approach with Callahan and his relative ease when dealing with other gang leaders like Bunny. Callahan seemingly mirrored Mike’s caution with a measured approach that refused to reveal his hidden motives, setting him up as a worthy adversary to Mike, even if he had yet to reveal himself as a foe, instead going out of his way to establishing himself as a potential ally to Mike. This became especially evident when Mike and Callahan reminisced about their past.

However, it was Mike and Callahan’s last meeting in the episode that revealed Callahan’s true power. Mayor of Kingstown season 3 didn’t clarify whether the bombing order came from Callahan or past AB leadership as he suggested, but it undoubtedly created a favorable situation for Callahan. Indeed, Mike needed all the help he could get to find out the truth from one of the bombers, and Callahan seemingly offered just that by proposing to find out a name for Mike. Getting in exchange more freedom by being transferred to Gen Pop only made the deal more appealing for Callahan.

All their interactions and outcomes seemed carefully pre-planned by Callahan, as he got Mike right where he wanted him. Not only did the bomber not confess who ordered the bombing, potentially protecting Callahan and his nefarious plan if it came from him, but Callahan also got the transfer to Gen Pop to become permanent and Mike’s promise that he would have answered his calls no matter what. Getting such a promise from Mike thus established Callahan as one of AB’s most powerful leaders, as he had Mike on speed dial and could use him.

Mike & Callahan’s Understanding Sets Up The 1 Event From Mayor Of Kingstown’s Trailer

It Makes It More Difficult For Mike To Refuse Him When Callahan Will Ask About The Hit On Bunny

Mike’s promise to Callahan established a link impossible to ignore between the two, as Mike became bound by his informal role as mayor to keep the interests of all gangs in mind, making it difficult for him to refuse a request from Callahan without good reason, making it impossible for Mike to play favorites. This tentative bond, especially as Callahan and Konstantin’s partnership was confirmed in Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 4, hints at Callahan’s ulterior motives in building a connection with Mike, setting up the base for a challenging request shown in Mayor of Kingstown season 3’s trailer.

In it, Mike can be seen asking Callahan what was he doing in prison, to which Callahan only answered, “hit Bunny Washington.” Such a request would make sense from an AB leader, as when AB was hit multiple times by the police, suffering many blows, Bunny benefited from Mike’s protection, leaving prison earlier than everybody and coming out on top. However, it also set up Mike’s biggest challenge, as such a request from a powerful leader would all but force him to betray his friend and ally Bunny, making him face a challenge with which Mike never had to deal.

Callahan’s History With Mike Is The First Big Threat To His Bond With Bunny

Callahan’s Perfect Crime & History With Mike Can Force Mike To Help Him

Callahan evidently succeeding in coaxing Mike to give him the same privileges other gang leaders have already put Mike’s friendship with Bunny in danger. Indeed, by enacting the perfect crime without leaving fingerprints – as Mike never got the confirmation Callahan was behind the bombings – Callahan forced Mike to make his life easier. What’s more, their past in prison and Callahan having protected Mike when he was inside also risk harming Mike and Bunny’s bond, as even if Mike didn’t want to help Callahan, he’d have to return favors.

Mike always protected Bunny, even not telling the truth to his police friends in Mayor of Kingstown season 3’s premiere when he told them the hit on Robert was ordered by AB, knowing well Bunny was behind it. However, being manipulated by Callahan into giving him the same treatment he reserved for other leaders damages Mike and Bunny’s bond, as Callahan can be a threat to Mike were he not to do his bidding. This makes the events of Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 4 particularly dangerous for what they set up.

New episodes of Mayor of Kingstown are available on Paramount Plus every Sunday after 3am ET.