Summary
The Continental episode 2 explains a plot hole in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum regarding the presence of a vast arsenal of weapons in a hotel where no killing is allowed.
The armory at The Continental provides a sense of security to the frequent patrons who are often paranoid, ensuring their peace of mind while they are on the premises. In the prequel series of The Continental, the John Wick universe is enriched by delving into the criminal underworld and offering a deeper understanding of the significant locations portrayed in the movies. As is exemplified by the armory within the hotel.
The Continental episode 2, which serves as a prequel to the John Wick movies, sheds light on a plot hole from John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum that has remained unexplained since 2019. By delving into John Wick's criminal underworld, particularly focusing on the central role of the titular hotel, The Continental adds depth and expands on the existing universe portrayed in the four movies starring Keanu Reeves.
The episode provides insight into Winston Scott's origins and delves into the early stages of criminal empires such as the Bowery, which were first introduced in John Wick: Chapter 2. This exploration of the franchise's underworld not only expands the narrative but also offers additional context to a key setting in the four John Wick movies.
Moreover, The Continental episode 2 offers a logical and coherent explanation for a significant plot hole that occurs during the final act of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. This explanation aligns with the overarching story of The Continental, tying the two together seamlessly.
John Wick 3 Doesn’t Explain Why A No-Killing Hotel Has So Many Weapons
In the final act of John Wick: Chapter 3, John, Winston, and Charon join forces to combat the invading members of the High Table. They rely on a diverse selection of weapons and ammunition from The Continental's armory to prevail against the assassins sent to eliminate them. However, the presence of such a large assortment of weaponry on the hotel grounds seems contradictory, considering that the Continental is known for accommodating numerous assassin guests who are prohibited from engaging in any violent activities within its premises.
The reason behind this seemingly illogical arrangement stems from the primary rule enforced by the High Table, which strictly prohibits killing within Continental grounds. Consequently, it appears peculiar to store a wide range of weapons and ammunition within the hotel for immediate use, as was the case in John Wick 3. Nevertheless, this discrepancy is resolved by The Continental prequel series, which provides an explanation for this inconsistency four years after the release of John Wick 3 in 2019.
The Continental Episode 2 Explains John Wick: Chapter 3’s Armory
In The Continental episode 2, we witness a young Winston from the 1970s meticulously planning his retaliation against The Continental, driven by his brother Frankie's murder at the hands of the manager, Cormac. Winston gains access to detailed maps and blueprints of The Continental, which were crafted by his late brother. While studying the blueprints, Miles, one of the characters, questions the necessity of an armory within a hotel like The Continental, given that the assassins staying there typically possess their own weapons. This query also extends to why a hotel that strictly prohibits business activities would even need a room stocked with firearms.
To address Miles' inquiry, Gene, a skilled marksman who has already pledged his assistance to Winston in eliminating Cormac, steps in with an explanation. Gene highlights that the frequent guests of The Continental often harbor intense paranoia, fearing detection by law enforcement or rival criminals. Consequently, the establishment of the armory aims to assuage the guests' concerns, ensuring their peace of mind during their stay. This moment in The Continental episode 2 adeptly resolves the plot hole in John Wick: Chapter 3, providing a plausible justification for why a hotel with stringent non-violence policies would possess a room brimming with guns and other weaponry.