Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” Sam Wilson/Falcon and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities – and their patience.
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” takes place six months after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” In that finale, an elderly Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) handed his Captain America shield to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), essentially passing the torch to him. Sam begrudgingly accepted and as “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” begins, instead of taking on his new mantle, he donates the shield to the Captain America exhibition at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. He is reluctant to step into Steve’s shoes and continues to fight under his moniker, the Falcon.
At the same time, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) has been pardoned for the crimes he committed while under the mind control of Hydra and is now a free man. While he has been exonerated, he suffers daily from nightmares and sees the faces of all the people he killed while he was under Hydra’s influence. Falcon is called into action in the Middle East when a U.S. Captain is kidnapped by a group of mercenaries led by an old enemy, Batroc the Leaper (Georges St-Pierre), but Falcon manages to save him and the day. Sam tries to get in touch with Bucky but he won’t return his calls.
In amongst fighting bad guys and saving the day, Sam makes his way back home to Louisiana where he meets his sister Sarah (Adepero Oduye), and her two young boys. When Sam disappeared for five years after the Blip (Thanos’ snap), Sarah had to work even harder to raise her two boys and make a living without Sam’s help. They reside in their parents’ old house and Sarah is on the verge of selling the property as well as her father’s old boat but Sam is against the idea, stating he will secure a loan for them. While at the bank, the manager is overly excited to meet an Avenger but when pressed on the loan, he apologetically denies him the opportunity because of a lack of finances. Back in their parents’ house, a news conference announces the introduction of a new Captain America, and Sam is left speechless!
In the past, as a reviewer, I have typically been given several episodes in advance but because this show will only air six episodes in total, Marvel obviously doesn’t want to give too much away and that’s okay by me, it whet my appetite and left me wanting more. It shows not only Sam and Bucky’s difficult transition back into normal life after having been gone for five years but also the challenges and hurdles the people left behind had to face while their family and friends were no longer in existence. It also brings up another interesting aspect I don’t ever recall seeing in any of the previous Marvel movies: how do superheroes get paid? Particularly the lesser-known ones. Some Avengers don’t need explaining; Tony Stark, Thor, Bruce Banner, but for guys like Sam and Bucky, who are less famous than some of their counterparts, the show presents intriguing scenarios for their source of income, or lack thereof.
Watching Sam being denied a loan because he doesn’t have any finances, is dispiriting. On the one hand, he is a hero who helped save the entire universe from obliteration, yet a bank won’t give him a loan for him and his sister and her family. Sam used to be a former United States Air Force pararescue airman but I doubt his pension would cover his needs as well as his sister’s. It’s a topic that is covered in the first episode and makes for engaging conversation. It also shows the more human side of Sam and Bucky, away from the action and fighting and explosions and makes them more emotionally accessible. Granted, for a show such as this, we are here to witness the good guys take on the bad guys and become the heroes we know they are, but it’s also nice to see them lower their guard and view them at their most vulnerable. Roll on episode 2!
Available to stream exclusively on Disney+ Friday, March 19th
