Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson finally get together in an episode that is even stronger than the first.
*Spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2*
After a strong opening episode which saw both Falcon and The Winter Soldier operate within their own stories, episode two of the Disney Plus series is quick to finally bring the pair together in a strong outing.
This episode is action-packed, hilarious and also has a strong focus on the new Captain America: John Walker. Walker, played by Wyatt Russell, has his character developed much further here and seems like a genuine guy, despite Bucky’s disdain towards someone else carrying Steve’s shield.
“The Star-Spangled Man” is filled with a number of great and powerful moments. From Bucky and Sam’s chemistry, the high-octane action and timely social commentary, the show hits upon a number of different topics that will keep fans engaged.
In a much faster-paced episode, there are moments for characters to shine as both old and new personalities feature throughout, finishing with a character reveal that is likely to have fans excited for what is in store for the third episode.
While picking just five moments may be hard, we gave it a go in this list of best moments for “The Star-Spangled Man.”
5. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s new Captain America
Considering the title of the episode, it was highly expected that the second instalment of the series was going to focus on the backstory of the new Captain America. The audience learns that the man wielding the shield is John F. Walker and a bit of his background.
While fans are disgusted at the thought of someone else (that isn’t the Falcon or the Winter Soldier) wielding Steve Rogers’ mantle, seeing his backstory and interview at his old high school football ground makes it seem like Walker is trying to do the right thing. If the comics are anything to go by, fans are in for a different characterisation of Walker in later episodes.
The scene at the football oval was one showcased throughout the trailers, and seeing Walker signing autographs, taking photos and sitting down for a television interview already showcases that he is a lot different to Steve Rogers. He may state that he does not deserve the mantle or is only taking it to honour Steve’s legacy, it seems that Walker is thoroughly enjoying his time in the spotlight as the new American symbol. Will that change going forward?
4. Falcon/Winter Soldier reunite against the Flag Smashers!
The reunion between Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes did seem a little rushed, however it did lead to an incredible action sequence consisting of a number of the show’s different combatants. Wishing to speak to Sam about handing over the shield, Bucky then joins his winged rival and ally in his mission to take on the Flag Smashers.
Showcasing a lot of arrogance, Bucky rushes into the fight and is outmatched by opponents who seemingly have super strength (something that was showcased in the previous episode). The pair seems to believe they are up against super soldiers and battle the group on top of a couple of moving trucks in a high-intensity sequence. The titular protagonists are easily outnumbered and are only saved by the arrival of John Walker and Battlestar – who then engage with the super soldiers.
The new Captain America and Battlestar fight well alongside Falcon and the Winter Soldier, however the four are still somewhat outmatched by the super soldier Flag Smashers. The battle proves that the group is a threat to be taken seriously going forward and that they do have super powered abilities, while showcasing that they will both give John Walker and the titular heroes are hard time.
3. Isaiah Bradley
The introduction of Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley is an important moment for both Sam and Bucky as well as the overarching story and themes for the series. It is revealed to Sam that Bradley had a fight with Bucky during his time with HYDRA, and was the reason Bucky has a metal arm.
Bradley being the first black Captain America and the mistreatment he received derives from the source material and comes at a time where Sam is struggling with his own identity (the “Black Falcon/Black kid” conversation comes to mind). It turns out that being a black super soldier resulted in Bradley being imprisoned and tested on and completely disregarded by society.
This aggravates Sam, as Bucky did not tell him or Steve, which leads to another uncomfortable moment where the Police hassle Sam because he is arguing with Bucky and will not speak to Sam directly until they discover he is an Avenger.
These scenes showcase the show’s willingness to join the conversation about racism and prejudice around the world, presenting real world issues through the eyes of one of the titular protagonists and a compelling new character. As Sam grapples with the idea of being a black Captain America, the story of Isaiah Bradley and the social commentary will likely continue going forward – and it will certainly continue to resonate with viewers.
2. Couples Therapy between Sam and Bucky
In arguably the funniest moment of the show so far, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan get to showcase their chemistry and comedic timing as Sam and Bucky are forced to attend what is essentially a couples therapy session with Bucky’s therapist.
Seeing Bucky and Sam showcase some more of that playful rivalry that fans love and the hilarious banter that ensued made for a very fun scene. However, the writers cleverly used this to unpack some of Bucky’s struggles and where their complicated relationship stood.
The therapist manages to help Bucky let out some of his disdain towards Sam and himself, as he holds a grudge towards the winged hero because he gave up the shield. Bucky also believes that if Steve was wrong about giving him the shield, then he was wrong about Bucky himself too (which surely did not leave a dry eye in the audience). Sam also tries to make Bucky understand the reasoning behind why he did not take up the mantle, alluding to the social commentary made in prior scenes.
This moment is both comedic and striking. It uses the surface comedy to provide some real insight into the strained relationship between both of Steve Rogers’ close allies and some of the issues they are both struggling with.
1. The ending
The upcoming episode was perfectly set up by the brilliant ending of “The Star-Spangled Man” as the titular characters decided that the next logical step in defeating the Flag Smashers was to question Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl).
Zemo’s introduction is exactly what it needed to be, as the use of classical music and the reveal of Brühl’s villain at the conclusion of the episode perfectly sets the stage for a confrontation between him and Bucky. It seems that Zemo has also been in prison the entire time, so it will be interesting to see how he inevitably escapes or if he aids Sam and Bucky momentarily.
It will also be interesting to see Bucky and Zemo meet again, especially after the torture the latter caused the Winter Soldier throughout the events of Captain America: Civil War. The interaction between the two characters is sure to be an emotional encounter for Bucky, who will struggle seeing the man who forced him to break up the Avengers.
Judging by the hesitation from Bucky and the desperation from the two Avengers to figure out the origins of the Flag Smashers, fans are sure to be in for a explosive encounter between the pair, with Sam likely acting as a mediator.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier adds a new episode to Disney+ every Friday.
What did you think of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s second episode? Let us know in the comments below!