By Dante Spado
Spoilers for the first two episodes below.
In my second blog, I wrote about WandaVision, so it only felt right that I returned to the MCU and talked about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In that blog, I highlighted the minor side characters, like Jimmy and Darcy, and talked about how they were the best part of the show.
TFWS took a similar approach by putting Sam and Bucky at the forefront of their very own story, although they’ve been in the spotlight before in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. But again, those were Captain America’s stories and they were just involved. Now they have their very own tale to tell.
So far, I think the series has gotten off to a mixed start. I had similar sentiments about WandaVison, but for different reasons. WandaVision was new and weird. TFWS has been more predictable and sluggish. I respect a good set up episode as much as the next guy, but it seems like the first two episodes have been mostly set up (remember, there’s only going to be six episodes of this series). Maybe I’m spoiled, but I just feel like I haven’t been surprised or wowed yet, which is something Marvel is good at doing. The reveal that Bucky and Sam were going to visit Zemo at the end of the second episode was cool, but we knew Zemo was going to be involved in the show already. It wasn’t a huge plot twist.
Speaking of plot twists, the show literally copied the EXACT SAME twist with the EXACT SAME actress from Solo: A Star Wars Story (which I also wrote a blog about). In Solo, there’s a group called the Cloud-Riders. They’re originally presented as bad pirates, but it turns out they’re stealing resources to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Then it’s revealed a young girl, Enfys Nest (played by Erin Kellyman), is the leader of the group, a stark contrast to the typical buff man.
This happens to the tee in TFWS. The Flag Smashers are presented as this group of evil super soldiers, but they’re actually using their powers to steal vaccines, food and other supplies for those who need them. Then it’s revealed that a young girl, the SAME young girl who played Enfys Nest, is the leader of the group, a stark contrast to the typical buff men she’s surrounded by.
It almost seems like Disney loved Kellyman and the idea of her character from Solo so much that they wanted to use it twice. It’s a good idea, but it’s not very original given that it was just done three years ago by the same studio no less.
Then there’s the potential plot twist regarding the new Captain America, John Walker (played by Wyatt Russell, son of Kurt Russell, who played Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Tons of connections there). It’s almost painfully obvious that the show is setting up Walker to become the antagonist. Obviously, there’s the fact that Sam and Bucky don’t like him because he’s unworthy of Steve Rodgers’ legacy, but he seems like a nice guy. He was thrust into the role, and he’s doing the best he can. It feels wrong to have a new Cap, but John Walker is an alright guy.
At least that’s what they want you to think. I really do believe that John is going to end up having some ulterior motive or will end up getting the Flag Smasher’s super-soldier serum (that’s a tongue twister) to become more like Steve and then turn bad. It seems a little obvious, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
Those nitpicks aside, the show has entertained me. Sam and Bucky have good chemistry, they always have. The therapy scene between the two of them was very reminiscent of the scene in Civil War where they’re in the car together and Sam refuses to move up his seat so Bucky can be more comfortable. And it’s good to learn more about Sam and his family. Sam is a good guy, totally worthy of the Captain America mantle, he just has to realize it.
I think the show has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see Bucky and Sam get through all the problems that are popping up together. They were Steve’s two best friends, he would have wanted it that way. With Sam’s heart of gold and Bucky’s super-soldier abilities, the two are more similar to Steve than they realize. Here’s to hoping they continue on his legacy.