The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 2: The Star-Spangled Man Review

For our review of the last episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, click here.

While the first episode The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was more of a set up episode, this episode started to show viewers what it could be, not wasting time and bringing Sam and Bucky back together so they can start to iron our their differences over Sam giving up the shield and it ending up in the mysterious hands of John Walker (Wyatt Russell). We don’t yet know much about Walker other than what’s on the surface but knowing Marvel, there is definitely more waiting to be unearthed. That being said, this episode did help flesh out the character while perhaps hinting at what could be his downfall. Meanwhile, the potential last piece of the puzzle makes a long-anticipated return right at the end.

The beginning of the episode saw Walker as a soldier who certainly had the qualifications to do so but still felt the pressure of dawning the shield in spite of the fanfare that followed his introduction at the end of the last episode. Nevertheless, Sam and Bucky, especially the latter, had mixed feelings about this and needless to say, it brought them back together for a spirited chat. That clashing continued as Bucky joined Sam on his latest mission. From there, the script and Mackie and Stan’s performances made for some fun scenes between the two and the contrast between their different approaches. In Munich, they stumbled into a flagsmasher smuggling operation (they stole from someone or something with vast resources that did not take it well), ending in a battle on top of moving trucks with flagsmashers whose abilities suggested they were supersoldiers (like the man who attacked Torres (Danny Ramirez)). Joining them in the battle was Walker and his partner Lemar Hoskins (Clé Bennett) (or Battlestar from the comics), presenting an opposite dynamic from Sam and Bucky.

It was exciting to watch but ended abruptly as all 4 were defeated and the flagsmashers got away. The way back truly showed how each pairing felt about the other. Other than the obvious, Sam and Bucky just didn’t take Walker and Hoskins seriously but they weren’t going to get away from them that easily (maybe Walkers resent them?). Looking for help, Bucky offered to take them to an old contact in Baltimore, a man for which they had a troubled past named Isaiah (Carl Lumbly) who was a Black supersoldier during the Vietnam War (Bucky never told Steve to protect Isaiah). As far as Isaiah was concerned, he was done talking about the past which was certainly different from the other supersoldier we all know.

A moment that didn’t quite work well was when Sam almost got arrested before a cop recognized him. However, Bucky got arrested for missing his appointment with Dr. Raynor who requested Sam join their latest session, resulting in the obvious breakthrough were the friction in their relationship came from Sam’s giving up of the shield. In fact, Walker had the power to change Bucky’s pardon agreement which he did in the hopes that he and Sam would join him but that didn’t happen. They were going to split up and do their own thing though they will surely run into each other again.

Looking for answers, Sam and Bucky’s next step was to visit Zemo. There is definitely more to that story and how it all fits together.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.