*Warning – This post contains spoilers of the first episode of TFATWS and ENDGAME*
On Friday, Disney+ finally released the first episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and boy it came with a bang. After the final episode of WandaVision aired just a few weeks ago, the long awaited second Marvel phase 4 tv series hit our screens and it’s safe to say that it was definitely worth the wait.
The first episode is set just 6 months after the events of Avengers Endgame, with an opening sequence that truly pulled on our heart strings. At first we are shown the back of someone who is clearly dressing for an occasion of celebration or sadness which is detailed in their smart attire. Following the retirement of Captain America, we saw Steve Rogers gift his shield to Sam to continue its legacy, but the idea of that level of responsibility, or boots to fill was somewhat of a challenge for him to fulfil so decides it is best to give it over to the government for display use.
What struck me about this particular opening scene was the reminder that following the events of Tony’s funeral, Steve’s death shortly followed, causing further sadness for the team. Wilson appears to be somewhat lost and undeciding of what his next step of action is, which is where we then see the scenes unfold of him returning to visit his family, in particular his sister who is struggling financially following the worldwide blip.
Following alongside Sam’s story, we see a troubled former Hydra soldier, Bucky Barnes suffering from what can only be described as PTSD along with strings of disturbing nightmares haunting him from his past. Mandatory government therapy sessions see him attempting to make amends with his past and gain some form of closure for his wrong doings.
In addition to Wilson struggling to come to terms with his personal life, a successful mission preventing a hijacking of a plane with his co worker Torres, see’s a collaboration to gain further intel on a terrorist group known as the Flag-Smashers. Torres travels to Switzerland to investigate the group where they successfully rob a bank which he gains video footage of, proving that these individuals may hold similar powers to those of the supers.
I think what is exciting about this new terrorist group is what it’ll bring to the series. Are we seeing a Hydra-like group or is this simply a version of Hydra, hiding and reforming in the shadows? If you haven’t seen several of the trailers already, we know that the one and only Baron Zemo is likely to come into play during this story, so it is rather exciting to see what will happen next and how he intertwines into the story.
Later we see Bucky hanging out with his friend Yori, an elderly Chinese man whose son was sadly one of Bucky’s victims during his time under the influence of Hydra. Over an arranged date from Yori with bartender Leah, she opens up to Bucky and when prompted to return the open minded session, we see him leave clearly distressed over the reminder of those whose lives he had taken, including Yori’s son. At this moment in time, from what we can understand, Yori does not currently know that it is Bucky who killed his son.
After Wilson has been informed about the Flag-Smasher attack in Switzerland by his friend Torres, himself and his sister are seen watching a broadcast on tv by the government announcing a new Captain America which is where we are left at the end of the episode.
One can only assume that this new Captain America, who I can only describe as a version that looks like it had been ordered off of the well known website Wish, is definitely not going to live up to the high expectations.
Overall the first episode of the series certainly left me with many questions rather than answers. What I can take away from the episode is that :
- We know that Steve has passed and Sam did not want to continue carrying his shield, which I can only assume is due to him not wanting to continue a legacy that was not his to continue
- Bucky is clearly still very much disturbed by his time at Hydra and despite seeking help is still struggling to cope and is trying to seek redemption rather than revenge
- The events of the blip are still very much present and are clearly causing a lot of financial and mental grief for many as well as a lot of confusion
- A new terrorist group with potential supers are forming and has left me questioning if this is Hydra or a Hydra-like worshipping group
All in all I am excited to see the next episode and cannot wait to see the pair group together!
What did you think?
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