Thomas Storai 
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier delivers an emotional fifth episode, but will Sam become the new Captain America?
We’re almost reaching the end This week is the penultimate episode of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier! This one is entitled ‘Truth’.
TRUTH
It’s a big theme for this episode as each character has to face their own truth. From the beginning, this show has explored these characters with a lot of depth. A series always allows more time for development than a 2-hour movie.
“You want to climb out of the hell you’re in, do the work. You gotta go to them and be of service. Start with one.” – Sam Wilson
We learned at the beginning of the series that Bucky was trying to make amends for the crimes he committed; by arresting the criminals he helped put into power. However, it doesn’t help him move on. He still has nightmares. Like Sam explains to him, Bucky was trying to help himself rather than helping the victims of his crimes. So to move on, he has to help them rather than helping himself.
“What would be the point of all the pain and sacrifice if I wasn’t willing to stand up and keep fightin’?” – Sam Wilson
LEGACY
As for Sam, there is a lot to unpack. From the start even in Avengers Endgame, it was clear he wasn’t ready for the shield. As the series went on, Sam discovered even more of the complicated legacy of the shield. That complicated legacy includes Isaiah Bradley who makes his return in this episode. We learn more about his story and his suffering.
The conversation between Isaiah and Sam is incredibly poignant and it’s pretty much in tune with what’s going on in America right now. It deals with real-life issues, that matter! Things have changed but they haven’t totally changed, racism still exists. So this show asks the right questions. It reflects on our world. Sam had refused to use the shield because of what it would mean for him as a black man. What he would have to go through. And this conversation brings him down. But it’s his sister’s choice not to sell the family boat that helps make him realize he can’t give up.
This episode is a pivotal moment for him because he finally decides to stand up and keep fighting. The whole training sequence is beautiful to watch because you see him getting ready to be the new Captain America.
Unfortunately, we do not see the new suit in this episode, it just cuts when he opens the box. We’ll have to wait until next week to see it! But in this episode, we learn that it’s the Wakandan’s who made the suit. It has me incredibly excited to see the reveal!
FALL FROM GRACE
Even though Sam and Bucky can finally see their own truth, John Walker can’t. Instead, he goes down a dark path. The episode opens with him having a nervous breakdown after killing the Flag-Smasher. It doesn’t get better from there. He refuses to give up the shield and fights Bucky and Sam. This sequence is quite violent and so intense! I would say it’s as intense as the Captain America and Bucky vs Iron Man fight in Captain America Civil War! His crime doesn’t go unpunished. John Walker is discharged from the army and the role of Captain America. Anyone would have seen it as a defeat, but not him.
Walker just loses his mind. Not only does he refuse his sentence, but he also lies to Lemar’s parents, the people who supported him. To make matters worse, the mid-credits stinger shows him building a shield for himself. You know what that means – he is getting ready to become the US Agent. It’s his villain’s origin story.
CONTESSA VALENTINA ALLEGRA DE FONTAINE
That leads us to the big cameo from this episode. Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes her debut in the MCU. To be clear, her debut was supposed to happen in the Black Widow movie. But it was delayed. It was first reported by Vanity Fair. The question is whether they removed her scene from the movie considering the delays and if that impacted the series. Anyway, Julia is playing Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. To those who don’t know the character, she is a villain. One of her identities includes Madame Hydra. She’s also been a Russian sleeper agent. It gives you an idea of who she is. She’s a Nick Fury-type character but for the bad guys. This cameo is a huge surprise and I can say I’m very much excited for what it means for the future of the MCU! We can already guess she is going to recruit Walker.
FAREWELL
Zemo probably makes his last appearance (on the show) in this episode. It’s a gentle goodbye and it finally brings closure to the Civil War storyline. Bucky delivers him to the Dora Milaje who will bring him to the Raft, the prison first introduced in Captain America Civil War. Unless someone helps him escape, he is going to stay there for the rest of his life. Zemo just accepts his sentence, he doesn’t try to escape. Even though he did in the previous episode, he went exactly where he could be found. He doesn’t try to hide. That’s the beauty of the character, he knows he did something wrong and he accepts to pay his debts. He’s the anti-Walker.
BATROC RETURNS
As one departs, another character returns – Batroc. Batroc appeared in the first episode of the series and now he’s back again. I knew they wouldn’t bring him back for just one episode. He has one goal now – kill Falcon. To do that, he is working with the Flag Smashers thanks to Sharon Carter who helped him to get out of prison … I have many questions about it. Is Sharon Carter playing a game to catch the Flag Smashers or is she really willing to help them? She is in Madripoor, she is doing shady things so who knows! We will have to wait for next week to get these answers. One thing is sure, the finale episode is going to be big!
VERDICT
This penultimate episode delivers in every way – big surprises, an intense fight sequence, and character depth.
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier is streaming exclusively on Disney+ Now!
Collectables Editor at Future Of The Force.
Star Wars and Marvel specialist, anime expert
