The second episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has premiered, and it gave us a lot more information on both the Flag Smashers and the new character that has taken on the mantle of Captain America.
Be aware that a spoiler alert is in effect for the rest of the review.
Spoiler Warning
The episode starts with the new Captain America, John Walker, in his high school locker room as he prepares for a rally and media interview as part of a tour to help him be introduced and accepted by the world as Captain America.
It gradually becomes obvious the differences between Walker and Steve Rogers, and that he may not have what it takes to be Captain America.
Most of his interactions with other characters are defined by Walker being full of himself and lacking any of the heart and morals that Rogers brought to any situation. He may have the powers, but he is not Captain America as we have known him.
We then shift back to Bucky and Sam Wilson meeting for the first time in this series, having an argument over whether Wilson should have given up the mantle of Captain America he was given by Steve Rogers.
They both agree that this move by the government was a bad decision and strongly dislike the new Cap and what he stands for.
This conversation is framed by multiple propaganda posters introducing the new Captain America to the public, that seem to showcase the falsehood of this version of the character. With this much show around him, he feels more like the figurehead Captain America used at shows throughout The First Avenger than an actual superhero.
Wilson and Bucky then travel to Germany where they encounter the Flag Smashers.
We learn a bit more of their motives through this battle and some moments afterwards. They are trying to improve their world and try to restore some of the better aspects of the world from the Blip. Currently, they are doing this by traveling between refugee camps for those affected by the return and providing things like medicine and vaccines.
Wilson as Falcon and Bucky battle a series of supersoldiers aligned with the cause on top of transport trucks, but are largely overwhelmed.
Eventually, they are joined by Walker's Captain America and Lemar Hoskins (Battlestar). They prolong the battle, but it is still lost even with their help.
All four characters have a tense discussion following the fight that showcases the divide in style and execution between the pairs, before they separate once again.
Bucky brings Wilson to Baltimore following this battle, to introduce him to Isaiah, whom Bucky knows from his Winter Soldier days.
This Baltimore scene quickly becomes one of the most direct looks at racism in America through the lens of Marvel outside of Black Panther. We learn of another supersoldier from the rough time period of Captain America who was given a very different treatment. He describes being subject to tests, and being imprisoned for decades due to his skill despite successful missions.
Sam Wilson takes this news hard, directing his anger at Bucky for not telling him.
They are then approached by police, who had been watching this take place, and who take the situation as Wilson potentially being a threat to Wilson. They appear to be preparing to use force against Wilson even after being told he isn't a threat by Bucky, before the police realize Wilson's identity as Falcon.
This racial profiling by the police highlights the entirety of the discussion surrounding race that was explored through the time in Baltimore, showing how even superpowers don't stop Falcon from being viewed by many as Black Falcon first and foremost.
In the aftermath of this Bucky is arrested for missing his court-mandated therapy in a noticeably calm manner.
At the prison, Bucky is released following meddling by the new Captain America.
Before leaving, he is forced to undergo a version of couples therapy with Wilson, which neither seems to enjoy.
Outside the prison, Walker and Hoskins are waiting for Bucky and Wilson. They once again try to convince the pair to join a team, but are unsuccessful. This is by far the most exposing conversation of Walker's ineptitude to uphold the moral standard of Captain America, with him even threatening the other heroes before they leave.
The episode then ends with Bucky and Wilson preparing to meet with Zemo, the villain from Civil War, and the Flag Smashers escaping with their supplies.
This series has begun exploring some of the same complex political issues that the Captain America series always had in new ways provided by the new character dynamic between the two main superheroes. While it hasn't delved too deep into any of the issues it has provided avenues for the show to explore these themes in future episodes as the story evolves.
The second episode was a lot more well-rounded than the premiere, and hopefully a sign of things to come.
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