The Untold Secrets of The Continental: Revealing John Wick's Mysterious Backstory

Rewriting:

Creating a prequel is a perennial challenge. A creator must carefully analyze a work of art and make logical decisions about the events and circumstances that led up to the main storyline. They then need to craft a captivating narrative while avoiding any blatant inconsistencies. However, the most difficult part is accomplishing all of this without diminishing the quality of the original work. Unfortunately, The Continental managed to be engaging and provide answers without completely ruining the original storyline.

When it comes to action franchises, John Wick stands out from the rest. Instead of relying on a fading star or an outdated intellectual property, the series successfully delivered four outstanding films purely based on the goodwill of its audience. Derek Kolstad and Chad Stahelski brought to life a mid-budget neo-noir action thriller that garnered immense love and support from fans, ultimately revitalizing Keanu Reeves' career. While there is much potential for expansion, the franchise seems to be heading in the wrong direction.

The Continental answers questions no one asked

The Continental, now bearing the Pennyworth-style subtitle From the World of John Wick, delves into the tale of Winston Scott, masterfully portrayed by Ian McShane in all four films. As one of John Wick's closest companions and a steadfast ally in the battle against the High Table, Winston holds the position of manager at the esteemed Continental Hotel's New York branch. This series explores Winston's journey to obtaining his influential role, starting with a young con artist named Winston, played by Colin Woodell. Encouraged by his adoptive father, Cormac, Winston reluctantly returns to the criminal underworld he had left behind. Frankie, Winston's brother, deploys his skills and natural talent as a killer to steal a crucial artifact from Cormac, provoking a frantic race among those under the Table to retrieve it. This compelling display of snarky 70s-inspired action comedy features captivating set pieces and a seamless narrative structure, serving as a prequel to the John Wick saga, despite its unconventional nature.

While Winston Scott's story can stand alone, it is challenging to imagine the conflicted, vengeful, and inept John Wick-like character identifying himself with Winston's name. Ian McShane flawlessly brings Winston to life as an effortlessly likable, remarkably self-assured, unshakably composed, and almost supernaturally wise figure. McShane's portrayal of Winston resonates more as a deity than his portrayal of Odin in American Gods. It never crossed anyone's mind to question how he became the remarkable individual he is in the John Wick films. The same applies to Lance Reddick's character, Charon. The tragic passing of Reddick allowed fans to celebrate his exceptional performance, which was undoubtedly well-deserved. Did anyone truly need to know why Charon works at The Continental? Does attributing his motivations to a generic quest for his missing father enhance his character? The narrative infuses significance into these decisions, but their weight is amplified due to the prequel nature of the series.

John Wick was better without backstory

The original John Wick is structured in a way that is widely known. It starts with a widower who receives a dog, only to have her killed by thugs, which prompts him to seek vengeance. The twist is that he is an unstoppable and feared superassassin. As the story progresses, fans are taken on a slow journey into the criminal underworld that John had left behind. They see everything through John's perspective, gaining knowledge of what he already knows. This format remains consistent throughout the next two films. Fans are given fragments of information about John's life, such as his birth in Belarus, his upbringing by the Ruska Roma, and his value as a hitman to the Tarasov crime family. These details usually come up in conversations with characters who have shared those experiences with John. Anything mentioned is relevant to the storyline, with little extraneous information. The Continental, however, does not adhere to the same set of rules.

One of the main strengths of John Wick lies in its mythology. The world beneath the Table is intricate, filled with tradition, and constrained by rules and rituals. Each new piece of information provided to the audience about the High Table adds another layer to the ever-escalating complexity. The four movies have exceeded all expectations by continuously introducing details that were previously absent, keeping the narrative captivating. The mythology is not entirely pre-determined. It is flexible and adaptable. Why establish rigid rules when no one is demanding them? The Continental is there to fill in the gaps purposefully left empty.

The Continental is a well-executed show that owes its existence to the franchise mentioned in its subtitle. However, this connection somewhat weakens both works. To ensure the growth of John Wick, it is crucial to explore future installments. The series offers ample opportunities to delve beyond the life of its titular character and introduce new assassins who can navigate various aspects of the High Table. Rina Sawayama's Akira can carry forward the cycle of revenge into a fresh generation. Additionally, Ballerina focuses on a dancer briefly seen in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, presenting countless avenues for expansion and new storytelling. Rather than looking back, it is best for The Continental's audience to embrace the show without dwelling on its connections.