Danielle Solzman
Marvel fans will be happy as The Falcon and The Winter Soldier finally makes it’s arrival on Disney+ after a very lengthy delay.
It’s been more than a few months since the last time we saw Sam Wilson/The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan). The last time we saw them was when old Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) suddenly appeared on a bench late in Avengers: Endgame. In case you forgot, Steve handed Sam the shield. Where is the shield now? It’s still in Sam’s possession but it doesn’t feel like he’s touched it.
Both Sam and Bucky have appeared as side characters in the films. This series gives them a chance to explore their stories a bit more and see them in action. By the time we got Bucky back from his Hydra brainwashing in Avengers: Infinity War, he was blipped out of existence. It’s about time that we get to see the real Bucky since falling off the train in Captain America: The First Avenger. That being said, the duo don’t spend a minute together in the first episode. This part is the most disappointing. My trust is in director Kari Skogland, head writer Malcolm Spellman, and Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige. They have a game plan and we’ll see it play out for six weeks ending on April 23.
The first episode does have some of the classic action that Marvel fans know and love. However, I feel like the first episode more or less goes in a different direction. Yes, we have an idea of who Sam and Bucky are for the most part. There is more character development in this episode than over the past several films. Take the blip into account and it’s necessary, too. WandaVision barely even touched on the Blip but that series had a very different focus. We first met Sam during Captain America: The Winter Soldier when Steve was running in Washington. However, we didn’t really get to know him in the films. We learn more in the first episode than in six film appearances by my count. That’s certainly something.
The downside of only screening one episode in advance is the cinematic feel. Obviously, you want to watch the next episode right away. Hell, you’ll know where I’m come from when this one comes to an end. You’re certainly not going to get any spoilers from me.
I want to watch more episodes before I give my judgement of this series. I’ll be curious to see how this series plays when all six episodes are available. Will more of our favorite characters from the MCU show up? What about the shield? Who will be wielding the shield come April 23? What role will John Walker/US Agent (Wyatt Russell) be playing in all of this? Where has Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) been following Captain America: Civil War and did she end up getting blipped? These are some of my initial questions upon watching the first episode.
Overall, the first episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier gives you a taste of the action but leaves you wanting more.
DIRECTOR: Kari Skogland
HEAD WRITER: Malcolm Spellman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Kari Skogland, Malcolm Spellman
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Zoie Nagelhout, Trevor Waterson, Derek Kolstad
CAST: Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Daniel Brühl, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Erin Kellyman, Georges St. Pierre, Amy Aquino, Adepero Oduye, and Danny Ramirez
