By Rachel Huser
Marvel’s second installment of phase four of the cinematic universe brought two minor movie characters into the spotlight in this six-episode installment.
“The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” aired its final episode on Friday, April 23.
The show has an interesting style. It focuses on the personal development of Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, and Sam Wilson, the Falcon. Both characters have a connection with Steve Rogers, the previous Captain America that grew old at the end of “Avengers: Endgame.” Barnes has been Rogers’ best friend since World War Two. Wilson was on the run with Rogers for over two years.
Fans watch the two characters figure out their place in the post-blip world when half of the Earth’s population was snapped back by the Hulk in “Avengers: Endgame.” Barnes is trying to escape his previous reputation of being the Winter Solider by attending counseling sessions. Wilson is trying to make amends with his sister after being gone for five years.
They soon encounter the Flag Smashers, a group of renegade super soldiers led by Karli Morgenthau. During this, they also run into the new Captain America, John Walker, fully equipped with Rogers’ shield, and his partner Lemar Jackson. The scuffle ends with the Flag Smashers escaping and with Walker urging Barnes and Wilson to team up, giving them the best chance at defeating the freedom fighting group.
Barnes and Wilson refuse and end up teaming with Baron Zemo, the villain from “Captain America: Civil War.” Meanwhile, Walker and Jackson move to take down the Flag Smashers and Jackson ends up getting killed in the process. Walker, blind with rage from his partner’s death, kills a member of the freedom group and loses his title of Captain America. Zemo escapes and Wilson and Barnes are left waiting for Morgenthau and the Flag Smashers’ next move.
Wilson heads home with the shield to Louisianna to help his sister fix the boat. Barnes tags along and in between fixing the boat they discuss the legacy of the shield. They come to an understanding of why Wilson gave it up in the first place. Wilson, remembering Isaiah Bradley, the forgotten black super-soldier, decides to take on the shield and trains with it. Barnes heads back to finishing off his book of righting the wrongs that he committed as the Winter Soldier.
Finally, Morgenthau makes her move, and just in time for Wilson to use his new gear from Wakanda. He bears the stars and stripes on his Vibranium uniform as he heads into Manhattan with Barnes. The fight ends with Morgenthau’s death and a monologue by Wilson to world leaders. Wilson urges them to think about why figures like Morgenthau rise and are able to challenge the world’s most powerful governments. He asks them to rethink their methods in order to create real change.
“The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” could not have aired at a better time. In the midst of the Derek Chauvin trial and the unrest from the death of Daunte Wright, fans can find some condolence in watching Wilson become the first black Captain America on their televisions. I thought that the show addressed the issue of race very well throughout the entire show.
I found “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” to follow more of what Marvel is known for, action. I believe that the show is better than “WandaVision” because fans like myself weren’t left confused after the first few episodes. We didn’t have to wait to finally figure out what was going on. “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” had a good pace and kept fans like myself very engaged and invested in what comes next. I rate the show a 10/10 and definitely worth a watch if you are a fan of Captain America and eager for some more Marvel content.
There are rumors of a season two, however, the release date is to be determined. “Loki”, the next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be released on June 11.
All episodes of “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” are available now on Disney+.
rhuser@my.dom.edu
photo from pogdesign.co.uk
