Unveiling the Unprecedented Chaos: The Continental's Impact on the John Wick Movies
The Continental's revelation of the Coin Press exposes the High Table's method of maintaining control in a chaotic world Find out why the Adjudicator ordered Frankie to steal it and how this could spell doom for the High Table in John Wick 5
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of The Continental!
Summary
The Continental series enhances the John Wick mythos, adding depth and uniqueness to the films, and also introducing possible shifts in the storyline.
The coin press plays a crucial role in upholding order in the underworld, as its currency governs the regulations and manages the flow of trade.
The coin press in John Wick 5 could play a crucial role in dismantling the High Table and reconstructing the criminal underworld. The Continental spin-off, "From the World of John Wick," introduces a groundbreaking storyline that impacts the entire franchise. Set in '70s New York, this prequel series follows a young Winston and Charon as they strive to establish their reputation by challenging a ruthless kingpin and gaining control of The Continental hotel. At the heart of this power struggle lies the coin press, responsible for producing the iconic gold coins used in transactions across the criminal underworld, ranging from basic necessities to weapons and contract killings.
The Continental expands upon the established mythology of the John Wick universe, transforming the films from typical action movies to something truly captivating and distinct. While it fills in certain gaps in the John Wick timeline, it also introduces the opportunity for changes. The central plot involving the coin press and the culmination of The Continental with Winston assuming control of the hotel presents a potential dilemma that could jeopardize the very foundation of the underground criminal world overseen by the High Table.
The Continental Reveals The Coin Press Is The High Table's Way Of Keeping Order In A Chaotic System
In a world where thieves defy trust, the coin press emerges as the ultimate tool to uphold order. This mechanical masterpiece becomes the arbiter of the criminal realm, preventing it from spiraling into anarchy. Should one possess the audacity to pilfer the press for personal coinage, they would wield unparalleled authority over an army of assassins, freely dispensing rewards and rapidly amassing immense power.
At the same time, if the High Table were forbidden from producing any additional coins, their power would be restricted. Anyone who possessed sufficient coins to distribute among numerous assassins could ascend to the top. Previously, only the High Table held the authority to supervise assassinations and decide the fate of its members within the criminal underworld. Since the payment for everything, ranging from attire and weapons to accommodation, relied on specific gold coins, it is in the best interest of the High Table to retain control over this specific flow of commerce.
Why The Adjudicator Ordered Frankie To Steal The Coin Press
Upon their first encounter, Winston's brother informed him that The Nile had made a lucrative offer: walk away from Cormac forever and steal the coin press for them. As The Continental's final episode draws to a close, it is revealed that Frankie was hired by none other than The Adjudicator herself. By eliminating her, Winston sends a resounding message to the mighty High Table - he now assumes control over The Continental, regardless of their approval. This impactful act not only reshapes Winston's backstory in John Wick but also underscores his authority in a realm where the one who governs the flow of gold coins dictates the rules.
Whomever has control of the sociopolitical bonds forged by the gold coins has the ability to amass an army, much like Winston did. Being aware of the potential for theft and subsequent flooding of the market with gold coins, which would ultimately disrupt the entire system, it is understandable why a centralized forge, similar to the one overseen by Berrada in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, was established. Assuming The Adjudicator was indeed a member of The Nile, aiming to overthrow an "organization that predates the Roman Empire," they could potentially be a dissatisfied faction within the secret society, primarily due to the actions of the High Table that affected them personally.
The Coin Press Could Be How John Wick 5 Destroys The High Table
Although the coin press is never showcased in the John Wick films, Winston possesses accurate knowledge of its whereabouts; it resides within the vault of the deserted bank that he acquired for Mazie and the Bowery. Presuming it remains untouched, he has been safeguarding it throughout, and this could potentially become John Wick's key to dismantling the High Table in John Wick 5. Despite eliminating their ambassador, a significant number of High Table members remain unaccounted for, indicating that the conclusive resolution to John Wick's narrative should revolve around eliminating every last one of them.
The operation of John Wick's world in The Continental is controlled by the coin press, which is assumed to be singular rather than multiple machines located in various mints and treasuries abroad. The existence of the unique gold markers is crucial as they establish a shared code of conduct and hold significant meaning. By destroying or even just posing a threat to this indispensable item that the High Table relies on, John Wick could potentially adopt a scorched earth approach, leading to the reconstruction of the criminal underworld into a more egalitarian entity.
