Danielle Solzman
The first or possibly only season of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has now come to an end while fans await the arrival of Loki.
One mystery from last week gets a quick resolution. It turns out that the the box that Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) got is none other than Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) new Captain America suit. I’m glad to see this finally happen but I certainly thought it would take place a few episodes ago. Getting the suit from Wakanda is an unexpected suprise. Wilson uses his role as Captain America for good especially in addressing the Global Repatriation Council. I’m hoping we’ll see more of him as Marvel travels along the road for Phase 4. Anything else would be a disappointment.
Some of the plotlines from the first episode do get a callback as Bucky makes one last amend for the time spent in his Winter Soldier role. It’s hard to tell if Bucky leaves New York for good to spend time with Sam in Louisiana. Or maybe they’re just there to celebrate?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s makes another appearance as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. One good thing is that her role isn’t a one-off appearance this season. As far as the series goes, she is responsible for John Walker’s (Wyatt Russell) new uniform in his role as the U.S. Agent. Given her character’s past in the comics, there’s got to be more going on beneath the surface. The remaining Flag-Smashers get killed during a car-bombing–it’s either because of her or Zemo (Daniel Brühl).
What we found out during the season finale is that one popular theory was proven correct. Much speculation had been made as to the identity of the Power Broker. It turns out that I was right even if I did think I would be incorrect! Former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) is indeed the mysterious character. If I understand her conversation with Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman) correctly, Carter did not get blipped. At some point following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Carter made her way to Madripoor. She also places Batroc (Georges St. Pierre) under her employment, too. Anyway, the mid-credits scene shows she’s up to something. Is Marvel setting up Agent Carter as a villain during Phase 4?
There’s another appearance here with Isaiah Bradley. Sam Wilson must have called in a favor or something because Isaiah Bradley’s actions are now represented at the Captain America exhibit. It’s long overdue. I’m happy about this because Bradley deserves his due. But beyond this, I want to know when Eli Bradley will suit up as Patriot. One must think that Marvel is setting this up but you never know.
I’d like to think that last year’s events actually improved the show. The scene at the bank is one of those that really drives home a message. Even during the finale, you can sort of read into the Black Lives Matter subtext of it all. John Walker has been one of those characters where you couldn’t quite get a read on for the entire season. Even when he’s an anti-hero, he still does the right thing and tries to be the hero. Karli Morgenthau telling him that Lemar’s life doesn’t matter sets him off and he does not take it in kind. You certainly cannot blame him for getting him upset. Lemar’s life did matter and even if his death moved the plot forward, it’s upsetting to see the character killed off.
One thing I like about the finale is how they change the title up at the end. They replace The Falcon with Captain America. It actually makes sense when you think about it because Sam Wilson has a new role.
Through it all, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier really delivered in a cinematic way. It might not have been appointment TV like WandaVision. However, the episodes still have people talking. I’m judging the shows on their own merit. I like the two in their own unique ways. Time will certainly tell if we get another season. Here’s to hoping that we do because there are more stories to tell.
ETA: The Hollywood Reporter reports that Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson will be writing Captain America 4.
DIRECTOR: Kari Skogland
CREATED BY: Malcolm Spellman
SCREENWRITERS: Malcolm Spellman & Josef Sawyer
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, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Erin Kellyman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Danny Ramirez, Georges St. Pierre, Adepero Oduye, with Daniel Brühl
