Mike and Konstantin Ignorance Iris's Competencies in "Mayor of Kingstown"
In the most recent season of "Mayor Of Kingstown," Iris has at last shown herself as a great asset, highlighting her intelligence and resiliency in a way that Mike and Konstantin have missed. Though both characters see her as someone needing to be protected and controlled, despite her constant displays of strength they ignore her own wishes and agency.
The Change of Iris from Damsel to Team Player
Iris has been shown throughout the show as the damsel in crisis, a position Mike has repeatedly sought to free her from. But in season three Iris at last finds a new goal: she actively uses her spy status for Mike to compile vital data on Konstantin's activities. Her mission produces notable results that give Mike understanding of Konstantin's deal with Callahan and the arrival of Konstantin's daughters.
In season three, Iris shows extraordinary initiative and resourcefulness; she acts quickly and wisely even if Mike's last-minute choices might have compromised her cover. Mike is still obsessed with getting Iris out of Kingstown, failing to see her agency and will to help even with her success.
Konstantin's Offer Reflects Mike's past attempts to control Iris.
Konstantin's offer to Iris—a new identity and relocation away from his company—mirrors Mike's past attempts to shield Iris under witness protection. Konstantin says his offer comes from concern for Iris, but his behavior shows a deeper need to control her—just as Mike's actions expose.
Mike and Konstantine both ignore Iris's ability to negotiate Kingstown's complexity. Driven by fear and a paternalistic need to shield Iris from harm, their protective instincts finally keep them from seeing her full potential.
Controlling Behavior: Mike and Konstantin
Konstantin's insistence on Iris taking his offer emphasizes his fundamental conviction that he knows more than Iris what is best for her. Though Iris is clearly able to see Konstantin's behavior free from his influence, Konstantin feels driven to control her future. Mike exhibits similar controlling behavior throughout the series, hiding vital information from Iris and propelling her toward Kingstown without thinking through her goals and wishes.
Mike's continuous criticism of Iris's way of life highlights even more his difficulty to give control. Mike is fixated on Iris's well-being even though she constantly shows her competency and resiliency; he fails to see her agency and self-sufficiency.
An unsettling parallel between Mike and Konstantin
It's disturbing to see Mike and Konstantin's attempts to regulate Iris parallelly. It draws attention to a startling resemblance between the protagonist of the show and its villain, stressing a common wish to defend Iris by means of manipulation instead of honoring her decisions. This striking analogy forces viewers to consider their own ideas of "protection" and the careful equilibrium between control and care.
Final Thought
The dynamic among Mike, Konstantin, and Iris exposes a complicated interaction of agency, control, and power. Iris has obviously shown her ability to negotiate Kingstown's hazardous environment, but Mike and Konstantin remain caught in their paternalistic need to guard her, so reducing her autonomy and potential.
