Ryan Shoots First: The Continental – “Brothers in Arms”

One of the most impressive things about the John Wick movies is the world-building and lore it established around this underworld of assassins. The codes and characters from the very beginning felt like they had all existed long before we joined the story and when we aren’t watching John’s escapades the world keeps on going. At the center of that word is The Continental. Ran by Winston it serves as the hub where all the business goes down. But Winston’s path to that kingdom is one bathed in blood and Peacock’s new mini-series The Continental tells the story of how one man rebuilt an empire and made a name for himself in a dog-eat-dog world. 

John Wick fans will feel right at home. The style and gunplay are all there but being set in the 1970’s we get a thick coat of grime, graffiti, and plenty of 70’s tunes. I had the joy of watching the premiere in person with my good friend Chris the Brain and I think he was secretly hoping Paul Kersey would show up at any moment.  This episode also had some great needle drops my favorite being “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” from Bacara. The music and setting again felt alive and familiar but also unique to this time period. Every corner looks like it has 1000 stories and Winston is trying to find his way. Colin Woodell brings confidence and style as Young Wisnton but also clear he wasn’t born into that fancy suit and it’s part con and part cosplay. In addition to of course an eclectic array of assassins we have Mel Gibson playing the villainous Cormac currently in control of the Continental, defacto making him one of the most powerful men in NY and beyond. 

All in all the premiere does a great job of presenting a mystery, setting the stakes, and getting us invested in the success or failure of the main characters. You really can’t ask for more than that from a series premiere and I look forward to the next chapter in this short-run, mini-series. 

Observations

• This Frankie guy is popular
• Yep its’ the 70’s
• I don’t recall seeing the flashing light warning
• Well that wasn’t very long
• Little heavy on the graffiti there?
• Clever, a train will do it
• Bet you weren’t expecting a heist film in your assassin show
• Right in the DJ
• Yep this is the Wick-verse
• Frankie’s a badass (Chris the Brian)
• What an opening
• Somethings fishy here
• I knew it!
• Poor chefy
• That reminded of a certain movie we watched recently “Top of the world”
• What is this chicken song?
• He’s a teenager
• Really emphasizing the winding on that camera… physical media!
• The car!
• Man, 70’s NY looks rough
• I can’t take credit CTB is wondering if that is the future Bowery King
• Is this Blade Runner 2049 now?
• Oggie Boogie!!
• Subtle everyone
• She’s perceptive
• Pretty great soundtrack
• That apartment with those ceilings? In NY? It be like 6k a month!
• He who controls the coins controls the world!
• Andy Warhol Asassin?
• Frankie has some demons man
• And we’re off!