Unveiling John Wick's Shocking New Twist in the Bowery King's Origin Story
The Bowery King's origins are dramatically altered after 6 years in John Wick, as The Continental reveals Laurence Fishburne's character didn't form the empire himself Intriguingly, hints suggest he took over Mazie's throne prior to John Wick's arrival Additionally, Winston's history with the Bowery King brings a significant change to his final scene in John Wick 4
Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Continental.
Summary
In episode 2 of The Continental, the origin story of the Bowery King undergoes a transformation, rewriting his previous claims made in John Wick: Chapter 2. The show unveils that the Bowery King was not the one who established the infamous criminal empire referred to as the Bowery or The Soup Kitchen. Instead, it is disclosed that Mazie, a separate character, held the position of leader within the organization before him.
The final scene in John Wick 4 between Winston and the Bowery King gains depth as their long history and alliance is revealed. The origin story of the Bowery King is altered in episode 2 of The Continental, taking place six years after his initial introduction in the franchise. Laurence Fishburne portrayed the Bowery King in John Wick: Chapter 2, where he was portrayed as the leader of the criminal empire known as the Bowery or The Soup Kitchen.
The Continental Reveals Laurence Fishburne's Character Didn't Form The Bowery's Empire
The Bowery King controlled a covert intelligence network, disguised as a homeless shelter, which granted him extensive power, influence, and access to valuable information. Operating independently from the High Table, the Bowery King consistently supported John Wick throughout the entire film series. However, with the introduction of The Continental's chronology in the John Wick timeline, the origins of The Soup Kitchen have been altered, consequently providing a reinterpretation of the Bowery King's statements from John Wick: Chapter 2, published six years after the film's release.
The connection between The Continental show and the John Wick movies has led to the exploration of familiar elements from the latter. One such element is the Bowery, which was featured in episode 2 of The Continental. In this episode, Winston Scott, portrayed by Ian McShane in the John Wick series, seeks assistance in his mission to defeat the villainous manager Cormac, played by Mel Gibson, at The Continental.
As a result, he is dispatched to the Bowery to rendezvous with its incumbent leader. Nonetheless, this turn of events in The Continental alters a fraction of The Soup Kitchen's history recounted by the Bowery King portrayed by Laurence Fishburne in John Wick: Chapter 2. In the movie, the Bowery King asserts that he affiliated with The Soup Kitchen prior to its transition into a criminal organization. Furthermore, the Bowery King elucidates that he himself devised the intelligence network disguised as The Soup Kitchen, assuming the role of its leader and henceforth its sovereign. Despite this revelation in John Wick 2, The Continental discloses that it deviates from the aforementioned disclosure.
The Continental Hints The Bowery King Took Over Mazie's Throne Before John Wick
The reason for this stems from the introduction of a character by the end of episode 2 of The Continental. Prior to Winston's arrival at the Bowery, he is instructed to find a person named Mazie who presides over the organization. Upon meeting Mazie and engaging in conversation, it becomes evident that she held the position of head at The Soup Kitchen during the 1970s. This suggests that the Bowery King may not have been the true founder of the organization, contrary to his claims. It hints instead that he seized control of Mazie's leadership between the events of The Continental and John Wick.
Throughout the John Wick movies, the character known as the Bowery King stands out due to his eccentric and flamboyant nature. His long speeches and expressive behavior depict him as a highly performative individual. It is plausible that the Bowery King informed John about his role in establishing the Bowery as a means to consolidate his power as the king, while also showcasing his unique personality. Consequently, the recent retcon in The Continental might not be a significant issue, as it remains possible that the Bowery King assumed control over the entire Soup Kitchen organization after usurping Mazie's throne. This supports the validity of his origin story from John Wick 2, despite alterations in The Continental.
Winston's History With The Bowery Changes His Final John Wick 4 Scene
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The Bowery King's origins seemingly change in The Continental episode 2, but it also provides more depth to the final scene in John Wick: Chapter 4 featuring Winston and the Bowery King. In John Wick 4, we witness the Bowery King and Winston standing beside John's grave, paying homage to their longtime friend and ally. This scene now gains added context as it is revealed that Winston has a deeper history with the Bowery King than previously anticipated. The tentative alliance between Winston and the Bowery King in The Continental episode 2 signifies that Winston has been collaborating with them since he took on the role of manager at the iconic hotel.
Considering Mazie's role as the head of the Bowery, it can be inferred that Winston and the Bowery King formed an alliance throughout the latter's tenure. This sheds light on the extensive duration of their collaboration by the conclusion of John Wick: Chapter 4. Bearing this in mind, the significance of the concluding scene, where both individuals show their reverence for the Baba Yaga, is heightened, as it suggests the longstanding bond hinted at in The Continental.
