WARNING: This article contains story spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

After WandaVision wrapped up in March, it was evident that Disney+ had a level of quality on-par with Netflix’s Marvel series, and even their own films. The streaming service needed something to set it apart from the crowd, as it’s a common complaint for consumers to be tempted by half a dozen competitors. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier had big boots to fill, further continuing the fallout of Avengers: Endgame. How did the six-episode series pan out?

When we left off of Endgame, one of the final scenes strongly suggested that Sam Wilson, aka “The Falcon”, was next in line to take the place of Captain America. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier) still had a conflicting past to come to terms with. While not the best of friends, the two link up in a common cause to take on “The Flag Smashers”, a vigilante group teetering on the edge of what’s right and wrong after a tumultuous refugee uprising from apathetic governments.

The ongoing themes within The Falcon and the Winter Soldier tackle race issues, acceptance, and right-vs.-wrong. Sam and Bucky come to a head over what Steve Rogers, the former Captain America, would have wanted. The series also takes on the overbearing responsibility of taking up the shield, which is helmed by army vet John Walker by an impromptu U.S. government decision. Wyatt Russell’s portrayal of new Cap is so vehement and inherently despicable that you love to hate him, similar to other villains like Draco Malfoy or Joffrey Baratheon.

The conflict of the Flag Smashers vs. Sam and Bucky takes a lot of turns and introduces a lot of callbacks from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Baron Zemo steals the show in the middle of the season, whether it be with his unconventional methods or his simple dance moves. Of course, the Dora Milaje come to send Zemo back to the brig. Some subplots take more substance than others, but the overarching narrative is delivered well and with ample closure when all is said and done.

A few standout moments within the show can be hailed as some of the best in the franchise. Most noteworthy is Sam’s speech after the final altercation, addressing some very real-world issues that have resonated with viewers worldwide. Another is one of the final shots of episode four, where an angered John Walker stands above a murdered Flag Smasher with a bloody shield. Plus, seeing Bucky’s deactivation brought a lot of viewers to tears. Truly, this show honors the build-up of Captain America, and finishes strong with Sam being a worthy successor.

While potentially being more compelling for longtime Marvel fans, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is still a good time for casual goers. With no shortage of over-the-top action and signature snarky Marvel humor, it doesn’t feel out of place in the pantheon of the MCU. It continues the ever-present “setting up” that these shows/movies do, but also celebrates how far it’s come over the past decade and beyond.

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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

8

Score

8.0/10

Pros

• High Octane Battles
• Many Memorable Moments

Cons

• Inconsistent Pace
• Requires More Character Development