Everything you need to know from the first episode of 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier'
Episode one is out, and while the series doesn't have the weird, eerie tone as seen in WandaVision, there is still a lot to unpack. Spoiler Alert: This article does discuss the ending!
This Friday Marvel released the first episode of their second project in phase four: Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The episode followed Bucky Barnes (the Winter Soldier) and Sam Wilson (Falcon) in a post blip and post Captain America world, though most fans chose to focus on the shocking ending. At the end of Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers (Captain America) gifted Sam his shield, implying that he should take on the role of Captain America after Steve left to go back in time. At the beginning of episode one in Marvel’s new series, we see Sam donate the shield to the Smithsonian, deciding not to follow the vision Steve had for him. The episode ended with a press conference from the Department of Defense, announcing the country had a new symbol of hope, a new Captain America. The shield that Sam had donated was now in the hands of a complete stranger, and fans had a lot to say about it. Who is this new Captain America?
This character has already been introduced to us in the comics all the way back in 1986 as a marine named John Walker. First introduced as an antagonist to Captain America, Walker believed Steve Rogers was not properly fulfilling the role of America’s symbol of hope. Captain America retired shortly after, which is when Walker took over the role and had his identity leaked to the public, which caused him to retaliate against his enemies. It was then that Captain America returned to help the government’s Commission of Superhuman Activities fake Walker’s death. This did not last long, as Walker appeared soon after as a U.S. agent, wearing nearly the exact uniform he was seen wearing at the end of episode one of Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Also, a quick fun fact: John Walker is played by Wyatt Russell- aka son of Kurt Russell, aka Star-Lord’s dad, Ego. In an interview with USA Today, Wyatt said about his character, “People are probably going to hate it, and some people are going to love it… it would be an honor, I guess, to be disliked in the Marvel universe.” Walker is a key element to the future of this series, but whether he will be a villain or hero is entirely up for debate. Russell also said in his interview with USA Today, “John Walker wouldn’t be in this series if he was causing everything to go well… There’s a dynamic he adds that somewhat complicates the relationship of everybody involved.”
There was not a post credit scene in this episode, but rest assured, there are some easter eggs!
Bucky Barnes was introduced the same way he was in Captain America: The First Avenger- helping to stop an alleyway fight.
Lt. Torres appears to be Joaquin Torres, who took over the role of Falcon in the comics. If Sam does decide to become the next Captain America, there is a big chance that Torres is the next Falcon.
Notice anything familiar about the opening fight scene? Not only does Sam drop out of the back of the airplane when going into battle (referencing Captain America’s fighting style), he also fights Georges Batroc, the same villain Steve Rogers fought at the beginning of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Lt. Torres got himself in trouble when fighting the incredibly strong “Dovich” of the Flag-Smashers. In the credits, the words “Power Broker Watching” appear, which is how our new character John Walker got his strength in the comics.
Bucky’s notebook included some pretty interesting names. One being L. Kaminski, as in a writer for Marvel in the 80’s, Len Kaminski. Also on the list is H. Zemo, as in Helmut Zemo, the series’ villain who has not yet been introduced.
Lt. Torres brings up a conspiracy that Captain America is living on the moon, watching over us. This is probably a reference to Marvel’s 2014 comic: Original Sin, in which Nick Fury is imprisoned on the moon after waging wars between alien invaders for years.
Episode two will be released on March 26th, exclusively on Disney+.
Hi Olivia, I am a big Marvel fan, so I am excited to be able to read about it every week. I really enjoyed this first post as well as the first episode of Falcon and the Winter Solider. Looking forward to your next post.