John Wick Uncovers Mind-Blowing Revelation Behind The High Table’s Enigmatic Origins

Warning: Major spoilers for The Continental episode 1 "Brothers In Arms - Night 1" below!

Summary

In episode 1 of The Continental, it is revealed that the High Table, the governing body in the John Wick franchise, has its roots in the Roman Empire, making it more than 2000 years old.

The stolen gold coin press from The Continental's vault is considered invaluable and has the potential to bring down the High Table if it ends up in the wrong hands.

The series takes a new direction from John Wick and focuses on the rise of young Winston in 1970s New York, offering more insight into the High Table. The High Table is a mysterious organization that governs the criminal underworld in the John Wick franchise. In episode 1 of The Continental, their origins are revealed in a shocking way. What set the original John Wick apart from other action movies was its extensive world-building, including the Continental Hotel. Subsequent movies expanded on this world even further, making the High Table the main antagonists - a council of crime lords who appear to secretly rule the world.

Following Wick's apparent demise in Chapter 4, the series will venture into new territory beyond its original central character. In 2024, the movie spinoff Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, will be released, featuring a special appearance by Keanu Reeves as Wick. Peacock's miniseries, The Continental, comprising of three episodes, completely deviates from Wick and instead delves into the ascent of young Winston (played by Colin Woodell) during the 1970s in New York. The prequel also provides a deeper exploration of the High Table itself, with Katie McGrath portraying The High Table's Adjudicator, offering insights into the organization's age.

The Continental Confirms The High Table Is Even Older Than The Roman Empire

The Continental begins with a gripping action sequence in which Winston's brother, Frankie, steals a gold coin press from the hotel's vault. As a result, Frankie becomes a target for the High Table, and the hotel manager Cormac brings Winston back to London to act as bait. Meanwhile, the Adjudicator captures and tortures Frankie's partner, Razo, referring to the stolen object as "the keys to the world" and revealing that it has the potential to dismantle an organization that has been in existence since the time of the Roman Empire.

This revelation is particularly significant as it sheds light on the ancient origins of the High Table. While previous John Wick movies hinted at its existence during the time of the Aztecs, the first episode of The Continental confirms that it dates back even further, to the Roman Empire which began in 27 BC. The series had kept the origins and founding of the High Table concealed, but the revelation that they have managed to remain hidden and influential for over two millennia provides insight into their immense power.

Why The Coin Press Could Finally Destroy The High Table After Thousands Of Years

In the realm of John Wick, gold coins serve as the currency and even a simple drink requires one. The movies have never explicitly explained the mechanics of this currency, but it is believed that these coins pay for favors and signify trustworthiness and affiliation with the underground world.

The theft of the irreplaceable gold coin press from the Continental's vault greatly concerns the High Table, as The Adjudicator ominously warns that it could potentially "topple" the organization. However, as avid movie fans know, this outcome does not occur and the High Table continues to function smoothly for decades to come. Nevertheless, this emphasizes the immense value of these coins to the secretive council and the potential devastation that the loss of the press could bring.