The Continental Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Brothers in Arms

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

We return to the illustrious Continental Hotel with The Continental Season 1 Episode 1, “Brothers in Arms.” For fans of the John Wick franchise, the almost immediate dive into violence and action is like coming home after a long trip.

While this mini-series is already proving itself to be solitary against the backdrop of the universe it comes from, there are moments, locations, and details that ring familiar enough to keep us interested. 

The story of two brothers separated by years of protection and distance brought back together by the sins of the older brother is one that has been told a thousand times over, and yet feels brand new. The simple fact that Winston has been away from this life of the underworld for 20 years and yet still manages to hold his own is going to continue to carry the story.

Brotherly Love

It’s very apparent from early on that Francis Scott, or Frankie has one goal in life — to protect his little brother from any harm reaching him. He does this by taking the fall for him when they are kids and by joining the ranks of Cormac O’Conner when he comes back from the war.

Frankie, played expertly by Ben Robson, becomes this figure at the back of viewers’ minds the whole episode, despite only being in a small chunk of the action. It’s easy to feel for Frankie after witnessing what he does for his brother time and time again, in the hopes of protecting him.

Despite being estranged, neither brother is willing to walk away from the other when the chips are down and the cards are on the table. Robson gives Frankie a quiet, but deadly demeanor that doesn’t terrify us like it should because underneath, we can easily see his care for the ones he loves.

Sure, Frankie is painted as this guy who isn’t reliable or fucks up time and time again. And yet, the way Winston sees it, Frankie was always there for him in the ways it counts.

Even with only about thirty minutes of the brothers being actually together, the audience is able to catch on that everything Frankie is doing is to ensure Winston never gets dragged back under Cormac’s thumb. And yet, Winston is right back in it. 

The great thing about Colin Woodall’s performance as Winston is that from the start, he proves he is leading man material. There is an air about Winston that shows confidence, smarts, and a taste for blood deep down inside — which he will need.

Frankie’s ultimate sacrifice at the end of the episode shows us, once more, that he will always put himself in harm’s way if it means protecting the ones he loves. It’s actually a genius move on the part of The Continental because it settles the debate, once and for all, of who this show is really about.

The Influence of Cormac and the Continental Hotel

It’s important to remember that this show is named after the hotel for a reason. While the 1970s backdrop and the consistent illusions of the High Table being an ancient organization, there is still a feeling that the Continental Hotel as we know it from the films is only just getting its bearings.

Yes, it’s been a haven for underworld assassins for some time by the start of this episode, but even still, it doesn’t feel to be quite on the level it is during John Wick’s time. The level of prestige and notoriety that we have come to know and love about the place isn’t all there yet.

However, Cormac O’Conner seems to be on his way out after years of corruption and shady dealings. Which, makes sense if, perhaps, The Continental is going to signal a shift in energy for the Continental Hotel.

While he’s definitely a secondary character at this point in the story, only because his presence doesn’t seem too overwhelming just yet, there is bound to be a shift in his role as well. Cormac is widely known and feared, and yet he’s just pissed off the wrong people.

It’s going to be interesting to see more of him directly interact with the story as we progress into Winston getting his revenge for everything that has gone down so far. The man ruined the Scott family, had the balls to try and reign influence over the brothers in their younger days, and more recently dragged Frankie into his shady underworld dealings.

Why We Can’t Count Out the Secondary Characters

Interestingly enough, Cormac isn’t the only side character worth paying attention to. Probably the biggest one to appear during “Brothers in Arms” is KD. Her skills as a detective are unparalleled, and the performance of Mishel Prada is one for the record books.

From the start, she is a woman out of her time as she demonstrates just how fierce and unafraid she is on the job. This is a woman detective in the 1970s who is willing to trail dangerous arms dealers in the hopes of finding Frankie — the supplier.

Without Prada’s stern looks and devil-may-care demeanor, KD could easily slip into the background unnoticed and unbothered. However, her presence steals the show every time she comes onscreen, and we can’t look away for fear we’ll miss something.

Despite only appearing in a few scenes, Miles and Lou can’t be discounted either. With their presence during the final scene, it’s very apparent that their particular skills are going to aid Winston as he moves forward against Cormac.

Not only that, Lou is a loud, strong, confident, and opinionated Black female during a time when she isn’t respected in the slightest. The way Jessica Allain carries her makes the character jump off the page and right into our hearts. 

If we are ever in a pickle, we would hope that we are on Lou’s good side, instead of her bad.

Her brother, on the other hand, is extremely soft-spoken, but it’s already evident that he is of the “speak softly and carry a big stick” variety. The young man doesn’t seem like much just looking at him, but he is fearsome enough that he has a gun business that is pretty extensive. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see Miles and Winston go toe-to-toe with Cormac and his goonies.

Stray Thoughts

• Ayomide Adegun is very reminiscent of Lance Reddick as Charon, which proves the casting of him is perfect
• Hearing phrases such as Invicus on Continental Ground and Excomunicado is so soothing for any John Wick fan
• The High Table also being involved means things are going to get messy — we love it!
• The 70s soundtrack for this series is fantastic

 

What did you think of this episode of The Continental? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Continental airs Fridays on Peacock.

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