The Unthinkable Betrayal: Did Charon Stab Winston in the Back? Find Out Now!

Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Continental episode 2.

Summary

In episode 2 of The Continental, the audience learns about the childhood crime committed by Winston and Frankie, which ultimately led to their arrest.

The ending of episode 2 also leaves viewers uncertain about Charon's loyalties, sparking questions about his motives and whether he might switch alliances.

The episode establishes a link to the John Wick movies by mentioning the Boogeyman, suggesting what may happen in the future of the franchise.

In episode 2 of The Continental, we continue to follow Winston Scott's backstory as the manager of the hotel, with numerous surprises, twists, and lingering questions by the end. Building off the conclusion of episode 1, episode 2 sees Winston, Lou, Miles, Lemmy, and Yen devising a plan to bring down Cormac and The Continental following Frankie's demise. The episode delves into the characters procuring weapons and forming alliances, incorporating more elements from the John Wick movies into the prequel narrative.

Where Charon’s Loyalties Lie In The Continental Episode 2's Ending

Building upon The Continental's place in the John Wick timeline, this prequel delves into the early signs of elements that later became significant in the original series. From introducing the Bowery district to mentioning the legendary figure known as the Boogeyman, also known as John Wick, episode 2 of The Continental solidifies itself as an authentic precursor. However, as the episode concludes, it presents a captivating array of twists that leave viewers with numerous lingering questions.

The ending of The Continental episode 2 left us with the burning question of where Charon's loyalties lie. This episode delves into the origins of Charon and Winston, offering the first significant interaction between the beloved duo from the John Wick films. In an intense climax, Winston traps Charon on a New York bus in an effort to expose Cormac's calculated cruelty and manipulation to the future concierge. He reveals that Cormac never had any intention of bringing Charon's father to New York, despite the promises made by The Continental manager. This revelation leaves Charon with much to contemplate.

In the final scene of The Continental episode 2, Charon returns to the titular institution where he receives praise from Cormac for his loyalty. Cormac promises to reward Charon by relocating his father, prompting Charon to betray Winston by revealing his plans to Cormac. However, it is unclear where Charon's true loyalties lie. It is possible that Winston instructed Charon to inform Cormac as part of a larger scheme. Alternatively, Cormac's manipulation and promise to reunite Charon with his father may have swayed him, leading him to defect to Winston's side. The ambiguity sets the stage for the final episode, which will ultimately unveil Charon's allegiance.

The Continental Episode 2 Reveals Frankie & Winston’s Childhood Crime

One of the intriguing mysteries raised in the first episode of The Continental revolved around the past transgressions of Frankie and Winston during their childhood. This lingering question is promptly addressed in the second episode of the series. In this pivotal installment, set in 1955, we discover that a young Winston and Frankie were entrusted with a mission by Cormac, a notorious crime lord. Their task entailed setting ablaze a structure using a Molotov cocktail. Much to their dismay, once they completed their assignment, the duo realized that the building was occupied by unsuspecting individuals. Shockingly, Cormac had failed to disclose this vital detail to them prior to their hasty retreat from the scene, resulting in their subsequent arrest.

Why Cormac Killed Thomas In The Continental Episode 2’s Ending

Undeniably the most brutal scene of The Continental episode 2's ending is the moment Cormac kills Thomas with a golf club.

In the episode, Thomas, a cellist employed by Cormac and The Continental, develops a friendship with Charon. During a conversation with Charon, Thomas shares his acceptance into a music school in Ireland and mentions that Cormac will write him a recommendation. Thomas also contemplates leaving The Continental with Charon.

Towards the end of The Continental episode 2, Thomas is summoned to Cormac's room where he is asked to perform a piece on loyalty. While playing, Cormac viciously attacks Thomas with a golf putter and destroys his cello. This extreme reaction stems from Thomas accidentally revealing his attempt to persuade Charon to leave The Continental. Although Thomas had no ill intentions and only praised Charon's loyalty to Cormac, the latter takes it personally and sees it as an attempt to "steal" Charon. This incident further highlights Cormac's malicious nature, his temper, and possessive personality, potentially leading to a shift in Charon's loyalty.

Cormac Broke The Continental's Biggest Rule - Why Isn't He Excommunicado?

Cormac's actions in the scene with Thomas break The Continental's biggest rule: no killing on its premises. Despite this, Cormac does not face any punishment, causing one to question why he is not declared excommunicado like others who have violated this rule in the John Wick franchise. The answer lies with the Adjudicator, the representative of the authoritative High Table, who has been sent to locate a stolen coin press. As long as the object remains missing, the High Table is solely concerned with its retrieval. Thus, the Adjudicator allows Cormac to go unpunished so that the conflict brewing between him and Winston can escalate. The Adjudicator predicts that the coin press will eventually surface amidst this inevitable conflict, allowing the High Table to easily reclaim it while eliminating most of the disloyal or excommunicado members like Cormac in the process. Therefore, it is solely the Adjudicator's strategic decision to spare Cormac for the greater goal that explains why he has not faced consequences for killing Thomas on hotel grounds so far.

The Continental Episode 2 Sets Up John Wick’s Best Relationship

As indicated earlier, The Continental episode 2 establishes the strongest relationship in the John Wick movies. Despite not receiving much attention in the previous four films, the bond between Charon and Winston is consistently depicted as unbreakable. They have always supported each other and demonstrated unwavering loyalty. This crucial aspect of the John Wick series is being retrospectively enhanced by The Continental, as episode 2's conclusion marks the first true connection between the two characters.

The Continental Episode 2 Changes The Bowery's History From John Wick

The ending of The Continental episode 2 introduces a fascinating twist to John Wick's history. In the films, the character Bowery King claims to have single-handedly built the Bowery. However, in this episode, a character named Mazie is revealed to have been in charge of the Bowery during the 1970s. This new information suggests that Mazie's leadership altered the origin story of the Bowery, challenging the previously established narrative of the Bowery King's role.

"The Boogeyman Will Be Coming": The Continental's John Wick Tease Explained

In the thrilling ending of episode 2 of The Continental, a significant connection to John Wick is revealed. Lou engages in a conversation with a rival businessman at a Chinese restaurant and shares a fascinating superstition from her grandmother's time - nailing chicken feet to the front door to ward off the Boogeyman. The rival then ominously suggests that Lou should follow the same tradition as the Boogeyman will be approaching.

Fans of the John Wick films would instantly recognize the reference to Keanu Reeves' iconic character. In the John Wick series, Wick was famously known as the Baba Yaga, the Russian term for Boogeyman, as he was the notorious assassin who specialized in eliminating the most feared adversaries. However, given the timeline of The Continental, it is likely that John Wick is too young to hold that title yet, making the mention of the Boogeyman in episode 2 an intriguing Easter egg. It may imply that another skilled hitman possesses the Boogeyman title during The Continental's era before Wick assumes it, or it could simply be a nod to the franchise's future.

New episodes of The Continental release Fridays on Peacock.