Season Review: Mike Tyson Mysteries Season Four

After the better part of ten months, season four of Mike Tyson Mysteries has finally come to a close. What have we learned? Not much. At least nothing we didn’t already know from the previous three seasons. But does that mean this twenty-episode season was a waste of time? Hell no it doesn’t! As the audience, we were still given twenty unique stories, each of which explored a new haven the writers and stars hadn’t been given the opportunity to sink their teeth into prior to taking on this project.

For a show loosely based on the style of Scooby-Doo Where Are You? (not to mention: Jonny Quest, Speed Buggy, Jabberjaw, The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, Josie & the Pussycats, or Mr. T), these episodes are a mixed bag and quite the contrast to the pattern-specific, monster-of-the-week episodes favored by the cartoons listed above. On any given week, we have no idea if Mike and the gang are going to face off against ghosts, cowboys, clones, or pedantic rich people. That’s what makes MTM fun, and what justifies its continuing existence.

On the other hand—and this is where things get dicey—sometimes a simple cartoon can be ruined due to the damnedest of things. A few weeks ago, I mentioned it’s harder to relate to Mike ever since he began publicly advertising his personal politics. To avoid appearing bipartisan, I won’t say which polarizing politician Mike endorses, but will instead only refer to him as Mr. X.

Since Mr. X is the current President of the United States and already a pre-established megalomaniac, knowing that Tyson supports him—despite being a practicing Muslim—causes a good amount of his natural charm to taper off and dissolve into the shaky ground in which he stands. Truthfully, it’s a little stomach-churning when a former boxer or any celebrity with limited real-world sensibilities backs a political figure for the sole purpose of protecting their financial interests.

On the other hand, Mike—or at least the showrunners—know enough to have the Mike character poke fun of himself and his sheltered ways, so he doesn’t look as out of touch as, for example, Mr. X’s family members: Mr. X Jr. and Ivanka X.

What I’m trying to say is, some people might find it hard to watch the show during this heavy election period as opposed to the last few seasons that existed in a vacuum, independent of politics. The ending of season two and the beginning of season three strategically worked their air dates around Mr. X’s initial presidential run back in 2016 as well as his inauguration and first 100 days in office.

With that caveat out of the way, I admit that the content of MTM remains impartial. Even Yung’s progressive leanings are balanced out by Mike and Pigeon’s anarchist ways, and Marquess’ surprisingly conservative outlook. I mean, that ghost is gay. You all get that, right? It’s funny—and a bit disturbing—to see the former lord fold his principles whenever money is on the line. He talks a good game, but when it comes to practicing what he preaches, I guess you can say he’s a little transparent.

Pigeon sure came out of his shell this season. And by “out of his shell,” I mean he stopped giving that one damn he ever gave. That little avian bastard says what he wants, whenever he wants, without weighing the consequences for even a second. However, that all changed the day he found out that Yung Hee is his secret daughter. What a moving moment that was. And it literally lasted only a moment, because as predicted, the continuity reset itself after only one episode—maybe two if you count Pigeon’s faux-sacrifice in “Let’s Make a Deal” as a fatherly gesture.

Speaking of Yung, she remains the moral compass—made apparent when she shamed Marquess for selfishly caring only about money in “Pits and Peaks.” However, it’s refreshing to see a little badness rub off on her since her only role models are her absent-minded father, a conceded ghost, and the world’s filthiest pigeon. The girl had a chance to start her own life independent of the mystery team, but in the end, the pull was too strong and she inevitably had to admit how much the three men in her life mean to her. Not Deezy, though. The less said about that useless whelp, the better.

Anyway, let’s talk about Deezy. Mike’s terrible agent started living in the house this season. Not the main house—that would be ridiculous—but the pigeon coop in the back yard. Ever since he moved in, he went from bummer character, to downright vile character. Nobody needs to hear about Deezy shitting in the yard! What if Mike’s block association captain had made a surprise visit and found your shit all over the ground? What then, Deezy? How would you feel if that was a catalyst for getting your only client evicted from his home? Damn, what the hell is the matter with you, Deezy?

With the exception of a particular shady agent—who will furthermore be referred to as Agent X—this was a rather strong season of Mike Tyson Mysteries, perhaps the strongest since season one. And because of that, it deserves a relatively high grade. But does it get one? Now it’s time for you to solve a mystery, by scrolling down…