The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s second episode left fans in need of some answers.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier opened with a character-driven episode that placed the focus on both of the titular characters as they tried to move on in a world that had moved on without them. It was an intentionally slow start to the Disney Plus show (save for the epic opening scene) that set the stage for an action-packed adventure that was yet to come.
The second episode offered up the beginnings of that action-packed adventure with a longer, more epic first act that finally reunited Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they were introduced to both the apparent villains of the piece and the new Captain America and his right-hand man Lemar Hoskins a.k.a. Battlestar.
Like its predecessor, “The Star-Spangled Man” left viewers with a lot to think about. So, without further ado, let’s get thinking about – and answering – some of those questions that are on our minds about the show.
5. Can The Falcon and the Winter Soldier trust John Walker?
The new Captain America, John Walker, didn’t need to try hard to rub anyone up the wrong way as the fact that he was replacing one of the most beloved heroes of all time (against Cap’s wishes) automatically turned fans against him. But rub people up the wrong way he did as, in spite of coming off like a decent and courageous human being, fans were not buying what US Agent was selling.
Before the episode’s end, however, he genuinely did raise a few eyebrows as he issued a warning to Sam and Bucky when they refused to work with him, telling them to stay out of his way.
Needless to say, that friction between the new Cap and the original Cap’s besties will build up throughout the series. But will the ostracizing end up pushing Walker into a dark corner or will he genuinely just try to outdo the Falcon and the Winter Soldier with heroics?
Are we looking at the next big villain of the show or just a transitional Captain America?
4. Is the Power Broker hunting the Flag-Smashers?
The Flag-Smashers have, so far, been portrayed as one of the antagonistic forces of the series but the second episode was very specific to highlight that their intentions aren’t evil. The group just want the world to go back to the way it was during the Blip and is convinced that the Global Repatriation Committee has forgotten about the people who where there all along and heavily favors those who recently returned.
Their mission involves stealing medical supplies such as vaccines to distribute them to those in need but it’s clear that the person they stole them from isn’t very happy about that. Karli Morgenthau referenced someone named the Power Broker when they were attempting to outtrun the authorities and the threatening text she received does suggest this individual is out for blood.
The Power Broker does originate in Marvel Comics so don’t rule out seeing the suit-wearing menace at some point throughout the series.
3. Can Sam and Bucky’s differences help them find common ground?
Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes have never been particularly fond of each other but they are united with the common goals of saving the world and protecting Steve Rogers’ legacy. But that doesn’t change the fact that the two of them are still dealing with a lot of the residual damage that both their lives and the return from the Blip has left them with.
Sam is struggling with his purpose while Bucky feels the same way. They are handling it in similar ways but ways that are just different enough so that they can’t see the similarities in each other’s methods. However, amid all the bickering and backchat, there was a moment in which Bucky finally opened up about how he felt, telling Sam that if Steve was wrong about him being his successor, it could mean that he was also wrong about the former Winter Soldier’s true nature.
These two aren’t the biggest fans of one another but there is a camaraderie there that will ultimately help them both overcome their demons.
2. How will Zemo break out?
Helmut Zemo’s involvement in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has been something of a well-known aspect of the show for months. The villain of Captain America: Civil War‘s return has been teased for some time now and Daniel Brühl has been confirmed to be returning.
But what are we talking about him in the future tense for? If you’ve watched “The Star-Spangled Man”, you’ll know that Helmut Zemo made his first apperance on the show in the closing moments, sitting in his cell ahead of Sam and Bucky’s visit.
The heroes are going to interrogate him to see just which of Hydra’s secrets he knows about but if you’ve been following the promotional material for the show, you’ll know that Zemo will find his way back out into the world so that he can hunt superheroes.
So how does a man trapped in a high-security facility about to be visited by two-tenured heroes and vigilantes break out? Well, we’re about to find out.
1. Who is The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s real villain?
Two episodes into The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the mysteries continue to deepen. One of those mysteries involve the main villain. Or perhaps more accurately, all of them could potentially involve the main villain.
Right now it’s hard to know who the primary Big Bad of the show is. The Flag-Smashers definitely looked like the primary threat out of the gate but it turns out that their actions are at least somewhat inspired by their humanity. That doesn’t rule them out as Big Bads but it does mean they aren’t inherently evil.
Is the Power Broker the main villain? The returning Helmut Zemo (whenever he inevitably resurfaces outside of a cell)? Is Hydra behind this too? Or are John Walker and Lemar Hoskins about to stumble upon some super soldier serum and become the biggest threat of them all?
So many questions remain – ones that will undoubtedly enrich our watches of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier with that much more excitement.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier adds a new episode to Disney+ every Friday.
What questions did The Falcon and the Winter Soldier have you asking? Let us know in the comments below!