The Continental: From the World of John Wick
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The gold coin is the universal currency and the most basic certificate of membership in this secret society.
But crossing the hands of fate brings consequences.
Decidinghowyou take them is the only way to push your will.
Made iconic as hell by Ian McShane in the movies, Winstons backstory was never part of the equation.
It turns out their dad lost the family home because he took a loan from Cormac.
To those who violate that rule:Excommunicado.
Thats Latin for youre fucked, Cormac says, Gibson doing his best Whitey Bulger.
Assassins union card revoked.
And here, Cormac stands in immediate contrast to Winston, his future successor.
Winston arrives at the Continental just in time to see Cormacs henchman gosplaton the pavement beside him.
Cormac wants it back, and he wants Winston to get it for him.
If he doesnt, the whole weight of Comracs institution will come down on the Scott brothers quickly.
Heres where we get another familiar face from the John Wick movies.
Hes Winstons first source for intel on his brother, and sure enough, Charlie points him toward Chinatown.
Miles says that Frankie seemed like he was getting himself straightened out after meeting a girl from overseas.
Then he lands in New York and ends up getting into some shit.
Winston can fill in the blanks from there.
Thats when Frankie went back to the Continental to work for Cormac.
His and Winstons old stomping ground.
And thats where Winston finally finds Frankie, hiding out in an abandoned movie theater.
But theres no time for belabored hellos.
But they left him in the lurch, and theres no escaping the people Cormac works for.
Winston, they control everything, Frank says.
She mocks her captive for the $40,000 he took to betray Frankie during the heist.
Keys to the world for a pittance, she says.
The value of an artifact that could topple an organization that predates the Roman empire?
This is our first-ever hint that the High Tables been around longer than most of us wouldve imagined.
Meanwhile, Frankie and Winston hide out at Charlies while they figure out their next moves.
Heavy shots hit the helicopter from psycho-twin Gretels sniper rifle from atop a nearby building.
Just when Winston thought he was out, fate has pulled him back into the den of thieves.
The scene has been set for his ascension to the throne, but not without its fatal sacrifices.
My cinematic obsessions put me right in the crosshairs of this showsDeath Wish-meets-The Warriorsoeuvre.
Hell, Im catching strayDirty Harryreferences (neon Jesus Saves sign, anyone?)
and John Wick easter eggs by the minute.
Turning the dial from neon noir to disco noir.
The exuberance is felt throughout.
Props to series stunt coordinator and action director Larnell Stovall, part of Stahelski and David Leitchs peerless87elevenstunt-design company.
Wick fans will surely be frustrated by the downgrade in stunts and fight scenes in the move to television.
I feel that frustration too, but not nearly as much as I thought.
However perverse, Gibson is an undeniable get for this villain role.
More appreciation for Hansel and Gretel.
A perfect pair of hot weirdo assassins to usherthatWickian tradition into the show.
I was also pretty keen on the Adjudicators Scottish BDSM guy henchman, presumably on loan fromTrainspotting.
No 70s crime piece is complete without its hard-boiled cop.
Prada is a cool, enigmatic but grounding presence for this gritty urban reality part of the story.
Looking forward to seeing how she illuminates the proceedings in Nights Two and Three.
