Three episodes in and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier continues to provide solid storytelling and nerdy reveals. This week marks the return of everyone’s favorite manipulator, Baron Zemo, and Cap’s sorted lover, Agent 13, a.k.a Sharon Carter. The show is pulling out all the stops in the “Captain America Reunion Tour” it’s been holding since the start. We also got new, obscure character reveals like Smiling Tiger and the pirate city of Madripoor. If we don’t see Patch walking around Low Town, I will be very disappointed. The long and short of this week’s episode is Bucky has a terrible plan, then we all have to deal with its aftermath for 50 minutes. All caught up? Great. Spoilers ahead, for the uninitiated.
1. Being Captain America should be effortless
John Walker is having a rough go of the whole “American Icon” business. His journey as the new Cap is a great character study in what kind of person Captain America should be. Watching Steve Rogers as Cap is like watching Gordon Ramsey tear into terrible chefs. It’s effortless and second nature. There is no forcing it when you are Captain America; you either have the confidence and moral compass or don’t. Watch the opening scene of Walker kicking in doors and loudly asking, “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?”. Then go back and watch Rogers conduct himself. It’s night and day. The difference between them is John Walker is trying to be Captain America. Steve Rogers was always himself. Oh, and Cap was like 102 years old or something crazy.
2. A question about the Avengers?
Does each Avenger have to file documentation claiming they are part of the group? Bucky calling Sam an Avenger made it sound like someone calling their buddy a cop, a lawyer, or a firefighter. Being an Avenger is a job, but is it an actual job? In episode one, Sam mentions that he doesn’t get paid by Stark Industries and relies on people’s goodwill to get by. That may be an indication that it’s not a gig, but if that’s the case, why doesn’t Bucky consider himself an Avenger? These two fought in the same massive battle, rode shotgun with America’s hero, and are currently tracking super radicals with fun masks. The only docs we ever see these heroes come close to signing are the Sokovia Accords, and we know how that turned out.
3. Agent 13, the other super-soldier
Sharon Carter returns, and boy does she whoop everyone’s ass insight. The self-exiled former S.H.I.E.L.D agent has been darting around Madripoor since the fallout of Captain America: Civil War. No worse for wear, it seems. Ms. Carter has not lost a step. In fact, it looks like she has gained a lot of new steps. All of which ends up landing on people’s faces. Sharon’s action scenes in this episode are examples of fantastic fight choreography. She’s out there stabbing fools in the spine and tagging skulls with headshots left and right. We never really got a glimpse of her prowess in the films, but Sharon shines on the small screen. I hope she comes back and kicks Zemo in the ass at some point.
4. Stop bickering during a shootout
Can you imagine bickering with your partner during a gunfight? I can’t argue with my wife if the TV is on. Add bullets to the mix, and I am completely useless. These three (Sharon included) are well-versed in performing under pressure. I would imagine a straightforward gunfight is the least stressful thing in their lives. But still, don’t have a petty quip battle in the middle of being shot at. Bullets have a strange tendency to hit people who aren’t paying attention. I am looking at you, “thug with the dreads” that Sharon shot.
5. The Dora Milaje returns
It’s easy to forget Bucky’s connection to Wakanda. His time in Wakanda was his first real peace in a literal century. In that time, he worked, lived, and recovered in Wakanda before being recalled to take on Thanos. Watching Bucky’s shorthand with the Dora Milaje at the end of the episode reinforced his connection to Wakanda and his knowledge that they would be coming for Zemo. Zemo did kill King T’Chaka after all. That’s not something the Dora Milaje will ever forget.
Continued belowIt’s also great to see Ayo again. She didn’t get the same screen time of play as Okoye, but second in command of the Kings guard is nothing to sneeze at. I’m looking forward to watching her kick all the ass as well. Sharon Ayo tag-team, anyone?
The wrap-up
Another strong entry into The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. The existence of Madripoor is another sly X-Men easter egg these Marvel series seem hell-bent on shoehorning in. I was burned by the Even Peters/Quicksilver finale, so I have no expectations for the lawless island to be anything more than what we saw. On the plus side, the Dora Milaje are in the mix now, and that’s always a good time. Baron Zemo is out of prison and wearing his trademark ski mask for no reason. Is anyone else confused why he decided to put that mask on? Regardless, the rich kid added a nice new wrinkle to the story and avoided the “wait for the moment of chaos and escape” trope, which was surprising. Let’s see how he avoids getting stabbed by an angry warrior guard in next week’s episode. Catch you then, my friends.
Noteables:
- What’s with these Marvel shows and weird faux commercials? I’m still confused about the last set of commercials you made me watch in WandaVision
- If you didn’t know, he’s called Baron Zemo because he’s rich as hell. Does the Baroness from G.I. Joe have cash like that?
- “I can’t run in these heels!”
- Zemo dancing is a mood. Go back and watch it.
- Why does Sam always end up in the back of the car. You know he isn’t going to push the seat up, man!
