The Ultimate Guide to Unveiling The Continental Episode 2's Hidden John Wick Easter Eggs & References

Warning: Major spoilers for The Continental Episode 2's "Loyalty to the Master" below!

Summary

The Continental

episode 2 explores the hotel and its connection to the High Table, offering a deeper look into the

John Wick

franchise.

The episode showcases the breaking of the inviolable rule of no killing on Continental grounds, indicating Cormac's disregard for the rules.

The episode includes references to the original

John Wick

film, such as Cormac's church scene and the introduction of a sniper reminiscent of Marcus from the first movie.

Similarly to its predecessor, The second episode of The Continental titled "Loyalty to the Master" is filled with numerous references to the John Wick franchise. In this episode, Colin Woodell joins the cast as young Winston Scott, who, in the late '70s, sets out to seize control of the famous hotel after he and his brother become targets of manager Cormac (Mel Gibson). This series serves as a significant milestone for the franchise, as it tests the viewers' interest in the saga sans Keanu Reeves' Wick.

Although the three episodes of The Continental do not feature Wick, they provide a deeper insight into the hotel and the influential High Table overseeing it. The second episode takes a more deliberate pace, focusing on Winston's efforts to regroup and recruit allies after the tragic loss of his brother Frankie (Ben Robson). It almost resembles the process of assembling a skilled team, reminiscent of Ocean's 11, rather than a typical John Wick film. Nonetheless, for those who pay close attention, there are plenty of allusions to discover.

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9 The Boogeyman

Reeves' retired assassin, John Wick, was elevated by the original film to near-mythical status within the criminal underworld. Affectionately referred to as "The Baba Yaga," a name inspired by a witch-like creature from Slavic folklore, he became renowned for his unparalleled skills. Contrary to popular misconception, this title does not imply that he is a supernatural boogeyman, but rather emphasizes his unrivaled abilities, making him the very person who would be entrusted to eliminate the boogeyman.

The Continental episode 2 features an interesting reference. Here, Jessica Allain's character, Lou, confronts Dan Li's character, Orphan Master, about her karate dojo being repeatedly vandalized by him. During their confrontation, Orphan Master is seen eating a plate of chicken feet. This prompts Lou to share an anecdote about her grandmother using chicken feet to ward off "the boogeyman" by nailing them to her door. Their conversation takes a tense turn when Orphan Master ominously suggests that Lou should heed her grandmother's advice, as the boogeyman will be arriving soon.

8 Breaking The Continental's Big Rule

As stated in the original film, the one unbreakable rule of any Continental establishment is that no acts of violence (referred to as "business") are permitted on the premises. Anyone who violates this rule will be declared "excommunicado." This rule applies to the management as well, as demonstrated when Cormac is reminded that he cannot eliminate one of his incompetent henchmen during the first episode of the miniseries. Despite this, he discovers a loophole in episode 2 and completely undermines the rule.

When {h1_placeholder_2}, Cormac discovers that the resident musician at the Continental attempted to "kidnap" Charon, the concierge, and take him to Ireland. In a fit of rage caused by Frankie's theft of the gold coin press and his apprehension about disloyalty within his ranks, Cormac forces the cellist to perform before brutally assaulting him with a golf club. Surprisingly, the High Table Adjudicator, Katie McGrath, does not express any dismay over this act of violence. Instead, she interprets it as a signal that Cormac's rule is nearing its end.

7 The Untouchables

In reference to this, the assassination of the cellist performed by Cormac brings to memory a strikingly similar sequence from The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma. In this particular scene, Al Capone, portrayed by Robert De Niro, strolls amidst his cohorts clutching a baseball bat. Initially, the crime lord delivers a captivating speech about teamwork, only to brutally bludgeon one of his associates to death. The remarkable resemblance between these two moments leaves no doubt that the homage was purposely crafted.

6 The Bowery Queen

While Winston has access to firearms thanks to Frankie's connections from the Vietnam War, he lacks the necessary manpower to employ them effectively. He learns of a woman named Mazie who operates a network that supports and protects homeless individuals. Die-hard fans of the franchise will undoubtedly recognize this setup as the precursor to Laurence Fishburne's character, The Bowery King, who runs a similar operation several decades later. There is a strong possibility that Mazie and The Bowery King are related. However, Mazie does not hold the official title of The Bowery Queen, although she is referred to as a "Queenpin" by Lemmy (portrayed by Adam Shapiro). Despite Winston's offer of financial compensation for her assistance, Mazie declines to aid him in his mission to storm the hotel.

5 Cormac's Church Scene

Amidst his tyrannical reign, Cormac takes a momentary hiatus from his oppressive leadership to seek solace in the walls of a church during the second episode of The Continental. While vehemently reprimanding his assassins, Hansel and Gretel, he turns to the statue of Jesus in a plea for assistance in locating the elusive coin press. This series is no stranger to showcasing scenes set in churches or adorned with religious imagery; the original boasted a dramatic church shootout, and in Chapter 4, John engaged in a poignant conversation with Donnie Yen's Caine within its sacred confines.

4 The Sniper

Winston enlists Jenkins, a sniper with a shared history with Miles, Lou, and Cormac, to join his small makeshift crew. In a scene reminiscent of Willem Dafoe's Marcus in the first John Wick movie, Jenkins is introduced as he assembles a sniper rifle and surveils a local park. His expert marksmanship is showcased when he takes down a local sex offender. Despite not being directly related, Jenkins' introduction bears similarities to Marcus, including his skill with a sniper rifle and unwavering loyalty to his comrades.

3 The Adjudicator's Ultimatum

The Adjudicator is called upon by the High Table to resolve any significant mess, and the theft of the coin press from the Continental unquestionably meets this criteria. In the second episode, she confronts Cormac about his numerous failures and presents him with a three-day ultimatum to rectify the situation or face replacement. This brings to mind a similar ultimatum given by Asia Kate Dillon's Adjudicator to Ian McShane's Winston in Chapter 3, wherein he is also given a deadline to organize his affairs before being replaced. It is worth noting that, unlike Winston, who managed to evade his predicament by betraying John, Cormac's fate remains uncertain.

2 Yen's Grief

1 Charon & Winston's Friendship

In the midst of a thrilling series of high-octane action films, it is often overlooked that the first movie primarily revolves around Wick's profound sorrow following the loss of his beloved wife. During the initial stages of the story, a significant amount of time is devoted to his efforts to rebuild his life before being reluctantly pulled back into his former dangerous lifestyle. In the second episode of the prequel miniseries, Yen (Nhung Kate) also grapples with intense anguish over the death of Frankie, leading her to revisit their devastated home located within an abandoned movie theater. Much like Wick, Yen discovers an unexpected outlet for her pain when a group of henchmen rudely interrupt her, prompting her to administer a most unwelcome response.

The friendship between Winston and Lance Reddick's Charon was evident throughout the John Wick saga, which made Charon's unexpected demise in John Wick: Chapter 4 all the more shocking. In the second episode of The Continental, Winston and Charon finally form a genuine bond as Winston seeks Charon's assistance in dismantling the hotel. With a preexisting mutual respect and shared experiences shaped by Cormac, their connection is undeniable.