The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 — out March 26 on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar — is actually a stage-setting episode. Before it actually dives into the thick of issues, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier must introduce the first gamers. We already know our titular heroes Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). Aligned with them however removed from buddies, we have the brand new Captain America, John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and his greatest good friend Lemar Hoskins (Clé Bennett). On the opposing finish we have the Flag Smashers, led by one Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman). Though that is not all. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 ends by teasing the ultimate massive celebration, returning Captain America: Civil War villain Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl).
But there is perhaps extra yet one more participant right here. Deep into The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2, because the Flag Smashers are attempting to flee in a propeller aircraft, Karli refers back to the people who find themselves chasing them as “power broker’s men”. That’s verbatim from the subtitles in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2. As Marvel comics followers will know, “Power Broker” (capitalised) means one thing else totally. Is this what The Falcon and the Winter Soldier alluding to? Or perhaps I’m simply studying an excessive amount of into issues? We’ll have to attend to seek out out.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 — titled “The Star-Spangled Man”, directed by Kari Skogland, and written by Michael Kastelein — opens with the brand new Captain America. John (Russell) is again at his highschool the place he is reflecting on his previous, when in walks his spouse Olivia Walker (Gabrielle Byndloss). She’s solely named within the credit; the shared final title and the way in which they discuss all however confirms that they’re husband and spouse. John is nervous however Olivia thinks he’ll be nice. As she leaves, we’re launched to his greatest good friend Lemar (Bennett). John notes that his stint as Cap has been nice, but it surely’s been a whole lot of “suits, handshakes, speeches, and Senators”. That’s the job, Lemar reminds him and then provides: “Time to go to work,” which John repeats to himself.
Cut to the Marvel brand animation and the non-existent opening credit, earlier than we return to John’s highschool. He’s now outdoors within the faculty (American) soccer discipline, the place he is signing autographs for everybody who’s gathered to see him. There’s a marching band and a bunch of cheerleaders too. It’s all very American. Disney throws in a little bit of company synergy too by selling ABC’s Good Morning America. They even get the present’s correspondent Sara Haines, who runs us by way of John’s spectacular CV: three Medals of Honor, counter-terrorism experience, and his physique has been studied by the federal government.
John says that he is no Tony Stark (that is Iron Man) or Dr. Banner (that is Hulk), as a result of he does not have fancy devices or in-built powers, however he makes up for it in guts. Of course, the unique Captain America — Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) that’s — additionally had powers, due to the Super Soldier Serum, however that is one other matter.
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Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 then exhibits us how Sam and Bucky really feel about this. Sam has his personal issues to take care of although. He’s on his strategy to Munich to look into the Flag Smashers — the blokes who hit actually onerous, as we noticed in the primary episode — however he runs into Bucky on the airport, who has a bone to choose with Sam. Bucky is aggravated that Sam gave up the defend, who protests that he did not know that the US authorities would give it to another person. But the scene then quickly careens into goofy comedy, as Sam begins chatting about how the Flag Smashers are not less than not a part of the “big three”: androids, aliens, and wizards. We’ve seen the alternate earlier than in a The Falcon and the Winter Soldier TV spot, and that is the primary occasion of the buddy comedy the Marvel sequence is promising.
Bucky follows Sam to Munich regardless that Sam did not need him there. On the aircraft trip to Germany, they begin bickering over how Bucky at all times tends to stare, how Sam has no plan (in contrast to Steve Rogers, the unique Cap), and that Sam cannot name him “Buck”. That’s what Steve referred to as him, Sam protests, however Bucky says that Steve he knew him longer. Sam then jumps out of the aircraft — that was his plan — which additional annoys Bucky who follows quickly after. His touchdown is much from gracious, giving Sam the chance to rub it in. Down on the bottom, they head right into a warehouse the place Sam has tracked the Flag Smashers to. They are loading heavy crates right into a truck effortlessly, additional proof of how sturdy they’re. Sam desires to attend and see the place they go, however Bucky would moderately barge in.
In between, Sam chides Bucky calling him “White Panther” over the time he spent in Wakanda, just for the Winter Soldier to reply that he calls himself White Wolf. Hey, Disney, fast change the title of the present: The Falcon and the White Wolf. To be honest, it does not have title recognition — The Falcon and the Winter Soldier it shall stay.
As the Flag Smashers pull out, Sam and Bucky fly/run after them. Bucky enters the again of 1 and discovers that they’re smuggling vaccines, which may be very upsetting given the world we stay in in the present day. Please do not do that to us! No manner that is unintended, this should have been a part of the scenes that have been filmed after the pandemic hit. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier needed to pause manufacturing due to COVID-19, which is why it was delayed from its authentic August 2020 premiere date.
Back to the present. Bucky finds a hostage inside (Kellyman) who seems to be a Flag Smasher. That throws us right into a struggle on the Autobahn. While the 2 vans drive in parallel — that’s some critical coordination, you guys — Sam and Bucky are pummeled by the Flag Smashers. They get some well timed assist after the brand new Cap and his good friend Lemar present up, however even the extra manpower proves to be no match for the Flag Smashers. Sam stupidly will get his Redwing drone squashed by Karli (Kellyman), Bucky nearly finally ends up being squashed by the tyres, and Walker and Lemar are kicked off the vans like ants. As they collect their breath, the 4 come to the conclusion that the Flag Smashers are Super Soldiers — meaning they’ve entry to the Serum that created Steve Rogers.
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Erin Kellyman as Karli Morgenthau in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios
On the trip again to the airport, they discuss in regards to the GRC that has been serving to put issues again collectively. Lemar reveals he is a part of one thing referred to as “Battlestar”, which annoys Bucky and he will get off. It’s not one thing that is been explored within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however within the comics, Battlestar is definitely the identification that Lemar adopts because the Captain America sidekick. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier appears to be pointing in a unique route, which we’ll hopefully study extra about because the Marvel sequence goes on. As the automobile stops, Walker says to Sam that he does not need to be or exchange Steve — he’s simply making an attempt to the most effective Cap he could be. And it might be nice if he might’ve Cap’s wingmen, Sam and Bucky, on his facet. That line doesn’t sit properly with Falcon in any respect, who additionally will get off and follows Bucky.
Back to the Flag Smashers who’ve arrived in a protected home, the place they’re greeted profusely by a German man who says they get pleasure from nice help and calls them Robin Hood for what they’re doing. Inside, Karli notes to her fellow Flag Smashers that the GRC is ineffective as a result of it has put the individuals who have been in energy earlier than the Blip again in these seats and that it cares extra about those that returned than those that suffered by way of the 5 years. Karli asks if they’re dedicated to the trigger as a result of they’ve one thing massive within the pipeline and there is no turning again. They then chant their motto “one world, one people”. From what we have been informed elsewhere, the Flag Smashers consider in a world with out borders — and Captain America is a logo that stands in opposition to that.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 takes us to Baltimore, Maryland with Bucky telling Sam that he ought to see somebody. That somebody is Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a Korean War veteran whom Bucky met in 1951 whereas he was the Winter Soldier. Isaiah was among the many check topics the US authorities used to recreate the Super Soldier Serum — keep in mind it is a time when Steve Rogers was thought-about MIA and lifeless — and one of many few who was feared by HYDRA like Steve. But Isaiah reveals that as a substitute of being honoured, he was jailed for 30 years. Isaiah nonetheless sees Bucky because the Winter Soldier and calls for them to go away. Outside, Sam is absolutely indignant that everybody saved this from him. Bucky says he is the one one who knew about it, he did not even inform Steve.
This looks as if one of many pillars that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will stand on. The Marvel sequence is actually about Sam determining his place and identification — and what it means to be a black Captain America for a rustic that routinely discriminates towards folks of his pores and skin color. It’s a part of why he gave up the defend. And right here is Isaiah, who’s actually been within the state of affairs that Sam desires no a part of. Isaiah represents Sam’s largest fears over selecting up the mantle.
As Sam and Bucky’s arguments proceed, the police present up and ask Sam to relax, whereas treating Bucky as a attainable sufferer. It’s one other peek into the informal on a regular basis racism that African-Americans should face. It’s solely when one among them realises that it is Falcon, do they step down. Funnily sufficient, after they examine in with their precinct, they find yourself arresting Bucky as a result of he missed his court-mandated remedy. I suppose that is what occurs whenever you take off for Germany on a whim.
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Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2
Photo Credit: Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel Studios
At the police station, Bucky’s therapist Dr. Raynor (Amy Aquino) exhibits up. Sam is grateful however she factors out it wasn’t she who bailed him out. It’s truly the brand new Cap, Walker, who says Bucky is simply too precious an asset to be saved locked up. He wanted him and he is the federal government in any case. But earlier than Sam and Bucky could be on their manner, Dr. Raynor pulls them into an impromptu remedy session as situation of latter’s launch. Of course, it is actually an excuse for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 to tug them right into a scene the place they can provide us extra of that buddy comedy. It does not go properly, expectedly. Bucky reiterates that Sam should not have given up the defend, as a result of Steve trusted him with it. Sam says they should settle for that he did what he thought was proper.
As they step out, Sam and Bucky have a dialog over Flag Smashers with Walker and Lemar. They share some primary intel however friction quickly begins to develop. Sam and Bucky cannot stand the truth that a stranger has walked right into a place that belonged to their former mutual greatest good friend. Walker says they’ve a shared aim, however Sam factors out that they’re extra versatile as they’re free brokers. As they half methods, Walker tells them to remain the hell out his manner. This is actually fuelling one of many thorny conflicts central to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier — and it will be attention-grabbing to see how this additional develops over the course of the present. Four episodes stay.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 briefly cuts to the Flag Smashers, who’re on a relentless run as they’re continuously tracked. They are loading the “vaccines” (which is probably going Super Soldier Serum) right into a propeller aircraft when the aforementioned “power broker’s men” present up. One of the unnamed Flag Smashers volunteers to sacrifice himself to purchase time for Karli and Co. He does precisely that, charging into armed brokers (they appear to be authorities brokers?) as they fireplace at him.
Back to Baltimore the place Sam and Bucky chart out what to do subsequent. They’ve realised that Walker does not have any leads from the chat that that they had. Bucky notes that if you wish to learn about Super Soldiers, then HYDRA is the most effective shot, given what Isaiah mentioned. Sam sighs in despair as a result of he is aware of what meaning: they should see Zemo (Brühl). The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 closes by displaying us the place he’s, in the identical jail cell — was it in Berlin, if I recall appropriately? — the place we final noticed him.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2 is now streaming on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar. New episodes launch each Friday round 12:30pm IST / 12am PT.
