In the first episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Legacy is at the forefront of Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) mind and he attempts to aid his sister in keeping the family business afloat and decides to gift the shield to the Smithsonian museum. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) struggles with the guilt of his actions as the Winter Soldier and tries to make amends. However, their troubles have only just begun as Sam learns of the super-strong anarchist group, The Flag Smashers, and the government select a new Captain America.
In episode 2, ‘The Star-Spangled Man’, a reunited Sam and Bucky come face-to-face with the infamous group, receive some unwanted aid, and must decide if it would be wise to seek information from an old foe…
SPOILERS AHEAD
This week’s episode begins with our newly appointed Captain America, John Walker, attending a support rally in celebration of his new status. The moment is reminiscent of Steve’s wartime tours as Captain America, and they even play the same song: the ‘Star-Spangled Man With A Plan’. A live interview gives the people a glimpse at the man behind the mask, but his impressive resume doesn’t win over everyone’s hearts. Watching the event on television, Bucky Barnes disapproves of the new Captain America. Sam’s choice in giving up the shield adds another layer of tension between the two when they reunite.
The humorous element of their interactions, however, is still apparent when Sam tells Bucky about the Flag Smashers and how he feels the anarchist group may be a part of the Big Three: Aliens, Androids or Wizards – though Bucky insists that it is not a thing and that Wizards don’t exist, labelling Dr Strange a Sorcerer. Later arriving at a warehouse in Munich, the team-up of the two proves just how much they need each other: Bucky being stealthy but reckless, aiming to attack at the earliest opportunity, and Sam (with the help of Redwing) being quick to stop him from running into a situation where he would be outnumbered. It’s not long before the fight begins though as Sam and Bucky pursue the lorries that the group are using to transport vaccines to save a potential hostage that just turns out to be the leader of their group: Karli Morgenthau. She and her team quickly get the upper hand over Sam and Bucky until one of the group is knocked back by the shield, signalling the arrival of Walker and his own hearty sidekick, Lemar Hoskins (a.k.a Battlestar).
Though it is a fairly short battle, it does go to show that Walker is a talented soldier, and it is interesting to watch the dynamic between the four as the presence of Walker, and Hoskins by extension, pushes Sam and Bucky closer together. Following the fight, Sam and Bucky reluctantly accept a ride with the new Cap and his friends, and we learn that they were using Redwing, who was destroyed by Karli in the short battle, to track Sam’s location. Walker then tries, almost too hard, to gain both Bucky and Sam’s approval and form an alliance between them. However, neither Bucky nor Sam is willing to accept Walker’s position as the new Cap and go their separate ways.
We are then given a glimpse of the Flag Smashers who have found refuge thanks to one of their supporters who have provided them with a room stocked with tech, beds and food. The man states to them that: “You’re becoming a bit of a legend. I hear more and more people talk about the freedom fighters who are pushing back. They call you Robin Hood. Every day more people love you. You’ll find refuge wherever you go.” This statement may turn out to mean a lot more as it doesn’t appear to be just the government insisting they be stopped. Karli soon received a text from an unknown number that reads: You took what was mine. I’m going to find you and kill you.’ (Let the theories commence as to who the unknown number belongs to!)
As we cut back to Sam and Bucky, tension and emotions run high in the scenes that follow, starting with Bucky voicing his suggestion that they take the shield from Walker and deal with the situation themselves. Sam advises Bucky of why this would be a bad idea, stating that the last time they stole the shield that is deemed Government properly, Sharon Carter was branded an enemy of the state and he and Steve had to go on the run for two years. Bucky then takes Sam to visit another super soldier, Isaiah, who he met whilst on a mission as the Winter Soldier. Bucky introduces him as “A hero. One of the ones that HYDRA feared the most. Like Steve.” However, the reason he is unheard of relates to an issue that affects our reality even today: race.
Racism features more heavily in this episode as Sam argues with Bucky outside of Isaiah’s house, angered that there was a black superhero who existed and yet nobody knew about it. The argument is interrupted with the arrival of police officers who even go as far as to ask Bucky if Sam is the one bothering him, and it’s not until they realise Sam is the Avenger Falcon that they back off. However, Bucky is then arrested as a result of him missing his court-mandated therapy and once again Walker arrives to ‘save the day’, telling Bucky’s therapist that he’ll no longer be following a strict schedule, a decision authorised by himself. Suspicions of his true intentions rise again as Bucky’s therapy is cut short despite the work not being finished. Dr Raynor then calls for Bucky’s ‘condition of release’ therapy session to happen then and there, even pulling Sam into the fray as well.
The therapy session between Sam and Bucky starts off humorous with the two having a staring content, before taking on a more sombre tone as Bucky finally begins to open up and questions Sam’s decision to give up the shield. Finally, it seems Bucky voices his true worry in that if Steve was wrong about Sam then he was wrong about him too. Sam then suggests that they deal with the Flag Smashers situation and then they can both go their separate ways and never see each other again, something that, despite agreeing with in the heat of the moment, Bucky doesn’t seem to be something that he truly wants. Outside, Walker and Hoskins wait on Sam and Bucky only for Walker to attempt once again to get both on his team. However, his request is denied by Sam who explains why it would not make sense for them to work together. As they part ways once again, Walker gives them a word of advice, telling both Sam and Bucky to stay the hell out of his way, again not aiding the level of trust either Sam, Bucky or the audience have in him.
Another glimpse into the Flag Smashers way of living now as they show themselves to be once again on the run, one of their team even staying behind in order to sacrifice himself to allow the others more time to escape. If there’s one thing we may agree on in watching this scene is that seeing their devotion to their cause as well as to one another, it’s almost easy to find yourself rooting for them and being relieved when the majority of them manage to get away on a plane.
However, though the entire episode is an emotional rollercoaster that has viewers sitting on the edge of their seats, Marvel leaves us desperate for more in the final moments of the episode… Bucky tells Sam that they will need the help of an individual who knows all of HYDRA’s secrets in order to deal with the Flag Smashers: Zemo. Last seen in Captain America: Civil War, Zemo is shown to still be in custody however, with Sam and Bucky needing his help, who knows how long it will remain that way. Could the price for his information be to aid in his escape?
