Unveiling John Wick's Mind-Blowing Rule-Breaking Moment at The Continental - 6 Year Anniversary Special
John Wick's rule-breaking in The Continental becomes more intense in the prequel, enhancing the films retroactively and adding depth to John Wick 2's gripping ending
Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Continental episode 1.
Summary
The prequel series of The Continental delves into the criminal underworld preceding the events of the John Wick movies. It centers around a younger iteration of Winston Scott and his journey towards becoming the owner of the New York Continental. In this series, the primary rule of The Continental, which strictly prohibits violence within its premises, is accentuated and heightened, showcasing its significance and the extreme measures individuals are prepared to take to adhere to it.
The emphasis on The Continental hotel's no-killing rule retroactively enhances the conclusion of John Wick: Chapter 2. John's defiant choice to violate this rule becomes even more impressive and meaningful, symbolizing his breaking point.
The Continental's inaugural episode further elevates John Wick's breach of the hotel's central regulation, enriching it in hindsight six years following the release of John Wick: Chapter 2. Serving as a prequel series to the John Wick franchise, The Continental delves into the criminal underworld hinted at throughout the four Keanu Reeves films. Specifically, the show delves into the earlier years of Winston Scott, portrayed by Ian McShane in the John Wick movies, and explores his journey to becoming the proprietor of the New York Continental.
Cormac Makes Breaking The Continental's Biggest Rule More Severe In John Wick's Prequel
: The Cotinental's place in the John Wick timeline being over four decades earlier than the films brings about a different portrayal of the criminal empire. Nevertheless, certain similarities persist between both sections of the franchise, particularly with regards to the rules and regulations governing the eponymous establishment. Amidst these rules, one stands out in John Wick, but in The Continental, this rule is further intensified, adding to the impact of John's eventual violation of it six years later in John Wick: Chapter 2.
Cormac, portrayed by Mel Gibson, is one of the notable figures in The Continental's ensemble. In Episode 1, he makes his entrance by elucidating the foremost doctrine of The Continental—prohibiting any form of violence on the premises of the hotel. As a central rule in the John Wick film series, The Continental emphasizes and amplifies the significance and severity of this dictum within the franchise's world.
In Cormac's initial appearance, he emphasizes that the rule is inviolable, even for the managers of the various Continental branches. This means that he cannot allow his henchmen to be killed, despite their failure to locate Frankie, another character introduced in the first episode of The Continental. Consequently, Cormac deliberately leaves the window of his balcony open, leading his henchmen to take their own lives. This not only showcases Cormac's cruelty and authority, but also demonstrates the unwavering strength of The Continental's primary rule, compelling individuals to go to extreme lengths in order to avoid breaking it.
The Continental’s Focus On The Hotel’s No Killing Rule Makes John Wick 2's Ending Even Better
The implementation of the hotel's no-killing policy in The Continental episode 1 significantly enhances the future John Wick films. Through the scene featuring Cormac and his underlings, The Continental effectively emphasizes the criticality of this rule. Consequently, both a specific scene from John Wick: Chapter 2 and the entirety of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum experience considerable improvements.
In the finale of John Wick: Chapter 2, John brutally eliminates Santino D'Antonio, a member of the High Table, at the New York Continental. This action becomes more impactful due to the emphasis placed on the uncompromising nature of the rule within The Continental. The backstory regarding this rule enhances John's decision, highlighting his badass nature while also showcasing this as his breaking point. Breaking this rule, which instills fear in many, becomes John's only option, making The Continental's subsequent film series even more remarkable. Catch the latest episodes of The Continental every Friday on Peacock.
