It’s no secret that the John Wick series has astounded its audience with its enigmatic lead and a fascinating world beneath the table. The franchise’s brilliance lies not in the narrative intricacies but in its ability to maintain a sense of mystery around its characters. Derek Kolstad and Chad Stahelski conceived a mid-budget neo-noir action thriller that rejuvenated Keanu Reeves’ acting trajectory and surprisingly kept audiences hungry for more.
The Continental: A Glimpse into the Past or an Unwanted Deep Dive?
Tagged with the Pennyworth-esque subtitle, “From the World of John Wick“, The Continental aims to delve into the background of Winston Scott, the enigmatic manager of the New York branch of the Continental Hotel. Portrayed impeccably by Ian McShane across the John Wick series, Winston was always more of a deity than a mere mortal. With a flawless demeanor, endless wisdom, and charisma to spare, it was hard to imagine a time when he wasn’t the Winston we knew. But The Continental presents a tale of a young con artist named Winston, played by Colin Woodell, grappling with his adoptive criminal father’s world.
It’s akin to revealing the magician’s trick – interesting, but perhaps unnecessary.
The Risk of Overexplanation
A recurring sentiment among fans and critics alike has been the series’ allure lies in its ability to maintain ambiguity. John Wick as a franchise never burdened its audience with exhaustive backstories. It presented a world, mysterious and vast, letting the audience’s imagination run wild.
Before Wick, there was Winston. Night 2 of #TheContinental now streaming on @peacock. pic.twitter.com/u92MlrvLAk
— The Continental (@TheContinental) October 2, 2023
The Continental, however, chooses a different path. The choices to dive into characters like Lance Reddick’s Charon seem forced. The question persists: did the audience really need to know how Charon ended up at The Continental? Did elaborating on a character’s background, like Charon’s missing father, make them more captivating? Not necessarily.
Sometimes, the magic of a narrative lies in the unsaid, in the shadows.
Looking Ahead, Not Behind
While The Continental undoubtedly holds its own as a standalone show, its deep-seated ties to John Wick might be its Achilles’ heel. The John Wick universe is vast, with a plethora of avenues for expansion. Fresh faces, like Rina Sawayama’s Akira, and fresh narratives, like Ballerina, promise a universe far removed from Wick’s legacy, yet intrinsically connected.
Future endeavors should focus on this expansive universe, exploring new territories, rather than retracing old footsteps. As the saying goes, “Sometimes, it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.” In the case of John Wick, it might be best to let the mysteries remain just that – mysteries.
