This is it! The finale to Falcon and The Winter Soldier! Without further ado, let's get into it! Warning, SPOILERS PRESENT!!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
The episode open right after events of last week's episode. The FlagSmashers are beginning to attack the GRC Summit. Sam is airborne, with Bucky and Sharon Carter mounting a counterattack. While Bucky and Sharon handle the FlagSmashers on the ground level, Sam takes them on in the building. When we Sam make his entrance, he is finally wearing the new Captain America suit! And the wings are fully made of vibranium, and the suit!!! Near identical to the comic book version! I love it! Batroc makes his presence known, and we got a rematch on our hands. Sharon and Bucky track the FlagSmashers kidnapping the worldeaders, while Karli is coordinating her troops in hiding.
Sam is holding his own while buying time, Bucky is saving the hostages but when Karli and her cohorts make a move, guess who shows up? That's right, John Walker with his discount "Home Depot" shield! Karli tries to apologize for killing Lemar, but as soon as she says that Lemar wasn't worth killing, that's all Walker needed to give the good hands to her FlagSmashers. Unfortunately, his shield doesn't hold up to the damage. Sam disengages his fight with Batroc to save some hostages in a helicopter. Those wings, man! What an upgrade! During the battle, Walker actually shows signs of a hero, trying to save the hostages over chasing Karli. While the FlagSmashers stop him, Sam comes with new wings and new "Redwing" saves the hostages. Sam, John and Bucky chase the remaining FlagSmashers, splitting up. Sharing catches up with Karli, with Batroc and its revealed that Sharon is the Power Broker!!! While Karli refusing to work for her again, Batroc wants more money to take out Karli. Sharon's denies, and shoots Batroc, Karli shoots Sharon. And Sam walks right afterwards. He tries to talk her down, one last time. While Bucky and Walker lead the FlagSmashers to the cops, Karli lashes out at Sam, when he refuses to fight back, Sharon pops her with her gun!
Sam flies her body out to the ambulance, and the representatives of the GRC say that this attack only further proves that relocating people after "The Snap" is the only thing to do. And here is where we see Sam truly become Captain America. Sam tells the representatives that they are in part responsible for the creation of the FlagSmashers. By forcing them out of homes, and labeling them criminals and terrorists rather than helping, they helped create a problem. Sam says to the world leaders that "the world has a common struggle". He explains to them that the governments of the world needs to do better, especially because the entire world is watching. Sam also acknowledges the fact that some people oppose a black man being Captain America, but he's not going anywhere: Classic Captain America vibe! Bucky is proud of Sam, while Walker gives the obligatory nod recognizing Sam is Captain America. Meanwhile, the arrested FlagSmashers are killed in a car bomb, planted by Zemo's servant! Even in the Raft, Zemo gets the last laugh.
From here, we get more character development. From Walker becoming the U.S.Agent with a new suit (also comic accurate!), Bucky making amends by admitting to his neighbor that Bucky killed his son, to Sam explaining to Isaiah Bradley that it wouldn't be right not to be Captain America. Especially with what all those who came before him had sacrificed. Bradley slowly acknowledges this. Sam also takes Isaiah his grandson to the Smithsonian Museum, where there's a new exhibit dedicated to Bradley and his regiment, so no one will ever forget!
From there, we get cookout vibes with Bucky playing with the kids, Sam and Sarah cooking good food, and each man looking to the horizon, both changed men. Sam making his own legacy as Captain America, and Bucky learning how to actually be happy and not be haunted by past demons. We do get a small mid-credit scene, with Sharon gets a full pardon by the U.S. Government and gets her old job back. While exonerated, Sharon will have access to tons of resources to exploit as the Power Broker!
Well, here we are! What did you think of the series! Too short, too long? Too preachy, not enough?! I personally think this is some of Marvel's best work yet! Post your opinions below, and till next time fellow Blerds!
I need one of the Buffer brothers to announce this ass-kicking that John is about to get, cause IT'S TIME! As Walker runs to some abandoned warehouse, still shocked from seeing Lemar getting murked in front of him, Sam and Bucky show up. At first, Sam and even Bucky are trying to talk John down. But of course, John doesn't listen to reason. He's full blown irredeemable now, so let the hands be thrown! Bucky goes in first, with Sam using his wings to throw John off balance. But since Walker has the Super Soldier Serum, he puts up quite a fight. He even launches Bucky a few yards away from him. (To be fair, if this was Winter Soldier not Bucky, John would have been washed!) Sam is doing good, landing blows, bashing him with his wings, but John has had enough of that and rips the wings off!!! The disrespect!!! Bucky rejoins the scuffle, and together with Sam, they end up breaking John's arm and doing some cool tag team shield bash, knocking Walker out cold. Bucky picks up the shield and intentionally drops it next to Sam's face, as if to say, "It's yours. Don't give it away again!"
After the fight, Sgt. Torres informs Sam that because of what happened with Walker, the government is taking over the investigation. Bucky is off to find Zemo, and Sam leaves his broken wings but finally takes back the shield! John goes to D.C, to face judgement for his actions, being discharged without any benefits(Damn!), and to cease all actions as Captain America. With his wife, John meets Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and offers him a blank card to keep in touch. Meanwhile, Zemo is at Sokovia, near a memorial when Bucky catches up with him. Holding a gun to Zemo's head, Zemo acknowledges that he's beat and is actually sincere with apologizing to Bucky. Pulling the trigger, Bucky does the old fake-out, with the gun having no bullets. He gives Zemo to the Dora Milaje. Ayo informs Bucky that Semo will be going to The Raft and Bucky should steer clear from Wakanda for a while. Bucky understands, but asks Ayo for a favor.
Sam goes back to Baltimore to talk to Issiah Bradley. Isaiah tells Sam how the shield doesn't mean anything to him, and how he was treated by the U.S. government. Sam tries to tell Isaiah that things are different now and he knows people, but Isaiah hears none of it. He's been through too much to even believe in a black Captain America. With that, Sam goes home to Louisiana. He and his sister Sarah call in some favors from friends of the family, and work on repairing the boat their parents left them. Bucky shows up and offers to help, along with giving Sam a mysterious suitcase. While Sam offers a place to stay, the two have a heart to heart about the shield's legacy. Sam and Bucky make peace with each other and they have a nice bro moment while practicing with throwing the shield. Sam voices his concerns to Sarah about what it means to be Captain America, Isaiah’s word weighing heavy on his mind. Sara actually encourages Sam to be his own version. With that, we’re giving a nice training montage with Sam practicing with the shield.
Sharon is back in Madripoor, and she gives Batroc a call about a possible job for him. Is she the Power Broker? Is she working for him/her? John is with Lemar’s family, trying to give them some solace. He also lies about catching and killing the person responsible for Lemar’s death. Like, every time you start to feel for John, he does some dumb-ass stuff like this! Karli is in New York, with the rest of her FlagSmashers and they meet Batroc. Batroc gives them some equipment for Karli’s plan to take control of a GRC Summit with more recruits! Sam is called by Torres, saying that the FlagSmashes are underground, but Sam watches the news and gets a hint of what Karli wants to do. Hanging up, we see Sam open the suitcase from Ayo, and he takes a deep breath with what he sees. This episode also has a mid-credit scene, with John in some sort of tool shop, building a new shield from scratch.
Quite a lot to digest, with this episode! While the opening fight was great, with the nice callbacks to Civil War, Countess Val making her MCU appearance, and Sam actually using the shield is great to see as well. Still there’s the mystery of who exactly is the Power Broker, and John possibly making an appearance as U.S. Agent. Hard to believe that the finale is next week. I predict way more action and I think Sam is finally going to get a new Captain America suit. And if Wakanda made it, you know it’s gonna be fire! Till next time, my fellow blerds!
Man…..when I say this was the best episode yet, this was the best episode yet! Before I get into the review, Spoilers ahead!!!! With that, let's get into it!!!
Ok, we start with a flashback six years ago in Wakanda, where Bucky is recovering from the HYDRA brain-washing. General Ayo, member of the Dora Milaje, is helping Bucky overcome his trauma. Much to Bucky's surprise, Shuri's science works! The Winter Soldier is no more!!! Flash forward to now, in Latvia, and she is pissed to find that Bucky broke Zemo out. Bucky explains that he's just a means to an end, but Ayo isn't convinced as she gives Bucky eight hours until the Dora come for Zemo's ass! Bucky's got no choice but to nod, as he informs Zemo and Sam of recent events. After the events of the last episode, with the bombing on a GRC center by Karli and the FlagSmashers, Bucky and Zemo think that Karli can't be talked down. Sam the optimist, is holding on to hope that she can. The three discover that Karli's "mother" has a funeral in the city, but as they investigate, only Zemo gets results. He gives the local kids some candy in a creepy manner, and informs our heroes that the funeral is taking place later on, while reminding them that the very notion of Super Soldiers and Avengers shouldn't exist.
Karli and her FlagSmashers are reacting to the news of their latest attack on the Global Repatriation Council. Karli brings out the rest of the Super Soldier Serum, saying that the idea of a Captain America is outdated. Karli takes the rest of the Serum to increase her ranks, and heads off to the funeral. As Sam, Bucky and Zemo head off, and they're stopped by Captain Walker and Battlestar. Walker is trying to take control of the situation, wanting to arrest Zemo and take Karli in. Sam presents another option, actually talking her down peacefully. Lemar surprisingly agrees with Sam, and Walker gives Sam ten minutes before he moves in. At the funeral while Karli gives a eulogy for her adopted mother, Sam is waiting a few floors above. When Karli spots him, she reminds everyone in attendance of the reason why they're fighting for, one world and one people. After the service, Sam meets with Karli and talk, with some decent dialogue between them.
Just then, Walker bursts in, all cowboy-like. Karli then escapes, but Zemo shoots her! As Zemo has Karli cornered, he notices the vials for the Serum. It does look like Zemo wants to take one for himself, but instead he smashes them!
Meanwhile, Capt. Walker is getting tired of waiting and wants to move in. Bucky insists that Sam gets his chance to talk Karli down. Fed up, Walker cuffs Zemo and moves in. Karli and Sam talk about Karli's way of fighting the Governments of the world. Sam actually agrees with Karli's motive, but not her actions. Just then, Walker bursts in, all cowboy-like. Karli then escapes, but Zemo shoots her! As Zemo has Karli cornered, he notices the vials for the Serum. It does look like Zemo wants to take one for himself, but instead he smashes them! Just then, Zemo takes a shield to the face by Walker! Karli gets away, but John notices one vial left! He pockets it for later, as the rest of the gang has no sign of Karli.
Back at Zemo's hideout mansion, Zemo asks Sam if he ever wanted to take the Serum for himself. Sam says no without hesitation, impressing Zemo. While Zemo tells Sam to give up hope of redeeming Karli, Bucky is concerned about Walker and reminds Sam that he shouldn't have given up the shield. Sam calls Sharon Carter and asks for another favor. Just then Walker and Hoskins want to arrest Zemo. Sam and Bucky defend him, which pisses Walker off. As he tries to goad Sam into a fight, the Dora Milaje show up wanting Zemo too! Walker does his usual thing, trying to assert dominance, to no avail. A big fight breaks out, with Zemo quietly dipping out! Ayo and Walker scuffle, with Bucky cracking jokes at Walker's expense. Sam wants to stop fighting, so he and Bucky try to stop Ayo and the Dora. Just then, Ayo hits Bucky with some pressure point jabs in his shoulder, causing the vibranium arm to fall off. Casually kicking Walker's ass, the Dora leave to go after Zemo. Walker is flabbergasted due to him losing to non-powered fighters. Sam and Bucky leave in search of Karli.
Then, John bashes the shield in the FlagSmasher's chest! Sam and Bucky get there too late, to see blood on the shield! With a crowd watching the whole thing, John just secures the shield to his arm, as if to say, try to take it.
Karli, mending from her wounds devised a plan to separate The GRC from Sam, since she actually doesn't want to kill him. She calls Sam's sister in New Orleans, and relays a message to him through her. Sam reluctantly meets Karli, but it's a set up! Karli and the FlagSmashers try to ambush Sam and Bucky, and here comes Walker and Hoskins joining the party! The two split up, and Walker looks like he's tripping, leaving Lemar to be taken hostage! Walker snaps out of it, and he's a lot stronger than he should be. While fighting the FlagSmashers, Sam notices Walker's new powers, and moves forward. An impressive display of hand to hand fighting commences, but Lemar takes a hard punch from Karli, killing him instantly! (R.I.P, Battlestar!) Walker is furious, but hesitates to act at first. As Sam and Bucky chase after the FlagSmashers, Walker snaps out of it. From there, we get some of the most intense and violent action in the MCU! Walker goes full on Super Soldier, casually breaking a thrown concrete brick from a FlagSmasher. Brutally throwing the shield at Karli's fellow FlagSmasher. Then, John bashes the shield in the FlagSmasher's chest! Sam and Bucky get there too late, to see blood on the shield! With a crowd watching the whole thing, John just secures the shield to his arm, as if to say, try to take it.
Alright, definitely didn't see this coming. John getting the serum, yeah. But him killing a FlagSmasher in such a brutal fashion?! Nah. And this is from Disney?! And where did Zemo go?! Will Sam and Bucky fight Walker for the shield? Guess we gotta find out next time, my fellow blerds!!!
