Warning! SPOILERS about Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 5 ahead.

Iris’s seesawing role in Mayor of Kingstown rarely gave her the chance to be anything but the damsel in distress and Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 5 finally explained why. Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 3 had already shown how invaluable her help could have been to solve KPD cases, as her talk with Ian after she was arrested showed Iris’s impressive knowledge of the higher-ups in the Russian mafia. However, her actions in Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 5 set her up as a potential gamechanger for Mike’s mayor role, if only he let Iris participate.

While Mayor of Kingstown season 3 viewers already knew Konstantin Noskov and Callahan were likely working together, Mike didn’t, only learning about Noskov’s arrival in season 3, episode 3 and about Callahan’s return in season 3, episode 4. Mike being the last to know about such shifts highlighted how his lack of knowledge hindered him, but Iris’s discoveries in Mayor of Kingstown season 3, episode 5 also showed how little it took her to garner information that would have never reached Mike otherwise, proving herself a worthy spy. Mike’s behavior nonetheless showed Iris could have never helped if Mike won.

Without Ian, Mike Would Have Never Let Iris Help Them With Konstantin In Mayor Of Kingstown

Only Ian & Iris Connecting Made Her Involvement Possible To Protect Mike

Ian’s meddling was fundamental in convincing Mike to let Iris be part of the sting, gathering information by using her connection to Konstantin. Iris set up the meeting without telling Mike, knowing he would have opposed her participation, essentially forcing Mike’s hand by going to Cavo alone. However, even after Iris and Konstantin had already met, Mike refused to put Iris in danger, vehemently opposing her participation despite the fact it could have greatly helped them. While Mike’s worry was justified given how brutal Konstantin was with Tati, his opposition also showed how Mike hampered Iris’s agency.

Ian realizing Iris’s knowledge of the Russian mafia’s inner workings made it possible for him to support her, especially considering their common goal of looking out for Mike. Both only wanted to protect Mike as he often faced difficult situations, and without Ian to support Iris’s idea and to help Mike keep an eye on her, Mike would have never agreed to let Iris spy for them, bringing Mike and Iris to the usual standstill where Mike kept Iris in the dark and she escaped him. This could have stopped Mike from learning about Mayor of Kingstown’s new players.

Mike Forcing His Protection Over Iris Was What Made Her Return To Milo In Mayor Of Kingstown Season 2

Iris Wanted Something To Do & Not To Be Seen As Someone Only Needing Saving

Although Mike’s help was instrumental in letting Iris see another possible life not under Milo’s thumb in Mayor of Kingstown season 1, season 2 showed him lying to Iris in order to protect her. From pushing her to accept the witness protection to refusing to tell Iris he believed Milo had escaped, Mike often manipulated Iris with the excuse that he meant to protect her. Nonetheless, such a behavior also limited her agency, because he didn’t consider what Iris’s wishes might have been.

This eventually led Iris back to Milo in Mayor of Kingstown season 2, episode 2, knowing she couldn’t escape him if Milo wanted to find her and even missing what looked like home for so long, not having one anymore. Mike’s control effectively sent Iris back to Milo, who continued to exploit Iris after a moment of stop. However, Mike letting her participate in his operations might finally give Iris a new Mayor of Kingstown role, letting her contribute to the action and use her agency to help, something Mike always opposed in Mayor of Kingstown seasons 1 and 2.

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