The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 ending explained: What does [SPOILER] really mean?

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s latest episode left its viewers in need of more answers.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has only been airing for two weeks and the show has already become a staple of Marvel Cinematic Universe fans’ lives. The Disney Plus show debuted to rave reviews from critics and fans before it reportedly went on to break a number of streaming records for the service.

The show’s debut episode introduced the world to a new Captain America as U.S. Agent John Walker took over Steve Rogers’ legendary mantle and was announced as the new wielder of the iconic shield. Of course, this had a major impact on Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes – both of whom have been struggling to find their place in a post-Avengers: Endgame world.

This second episode delved into those narratives further, all while leaving fans with a pretty shocking conclusion to the episode.

What happened in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2?

The second episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, titled “Star-Spangled Man”, saw Sam and Bucky finally reunite. The pair squared off with the Flag-Smashers and, in the process, realized they were Super Soldiers like Captain America and Bucky. Though they were aided by the new Captain America and his friend Lemar Hoskins, they were unable to stop the criminals they were fighting.

Afterwards, Bucky was arrested for missing his therapy session – until the new Cap, John Walker, helped him out of that situation permanently. However, the friction between both him and Bucky and Sam and Bucky resulted in a conclusion that set the stage for a number of showdowns in the future.

What does the ending of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 mean?

Though US Agent John Walker offered Sam and Bucky his help, their denial highlighted that they plan to apprehend the Flag-Smashers their own way, free of the restrictions that the new Captain America would have to operate under. The “stay out of my way” threat from Walker suggests that there will be a lot more friction between him and the original Captain America’s friends in the very near future.

The concluding moments, however, reveal the return of an old enemy of Team Cap’s: Helmut Zemo. We knew Daniel Brühl would be returning as the character but we weren’t sure how that would actually happen… until now.

Having spoken with one of the original super soldiers, Isaiah Bradley, Bucky remembered that Hydra obviously had an interest in the super soldier serum. As John Walker didn’t know anything about that, he deduced that it was up to them to get the answers from the man who knows all of Hydra’s secrets: Zemo.

This is just the beginning of the character’s return and that haunting shot of his face in the cell at the end of the episode was the perfect way to reintroduce him to us.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier adds a new episode on Disney+ every Friday from midnight.

What did you think of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2? Let us know in the comments below!