Review: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: The Whole World Is Watching

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Karli Morgenthau in Graveyard The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

The latest episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier brought many of the ongoing plot threads of the series so far to their most intense moments yet, examining who the real heroes and villains are in this story.

A spoiler warning is in effect for the remainder of this review, so be sure to stop reading if you do not want key moments in the episode ruined for you.

Spoiler Warning

Ayo Speaks With Bucky The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Disney Plus

The episode begins where the last one left off, with Bucky talking to Ayo, the member of the Wakandan Dora Milaje we saw breifly. She gives him a short timetable to continue using Zemo before she will come back and take him back into custody.

Zemo in a Bathrobe The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

The trio then reunites and plans to meet with Karli Morgenthau within their newly imposed deadline.

 Eventually they find her in a place where they clearly are not trusted or given the respect as Avengers that they are accustomed to, surrounded by her sympathizers and supporters.

Captain America Flacon Bucky Zemo and Lemar Hoskins Walk Together The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Disney Plus

En route though they end up being interrupted by John Walker (new Captain America) and Lemar Hoskins, but are still able to meet with Morgenthau.

Sam Wilson and Karli Morgenthau Talk The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

Sam Wilson ends up having a one on one meeting with Morgenthau separate from the rest of the group. They discuss the similar values that they share and a shared purpose amid the chaos of their post-Thanos world.

Wilson expresses his sympathy for her and attempts to convince her to change her methods and join him in his fight.

John Walker Captain America Angry The Whole World Is Watching The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

Before the conversation can move any further, Walker storms in and immediately uses violence against Karli and the rest of the Flag Smashers. It is yet another example of his recklessness with his powers compared to Steve Rogers, immediately using them in any situation rather than mitigating the situation and speaking with the other side as Steve would have.

Super Soldier Serum Vials on the Ground The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel

Eventually, Zemo has Karli cornered, and she drops vials of the Super Soldier Serum. She is able to escape as Zemo destroys the vials.

Walker then interrupts Zemo during his destruction of the vials, and saves the last vial for himself.

Dora Milaje Pins Down John Walker Captain America With Shield The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

The group reconvenes and argues over Zemo's future as three members of the Dora Milaje arrive, including Ayo. Walker provokes them with his arrogance and the two groups fight over Zemo.

Dora Milaje The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

The Dora Milaje are quickly able to overcome all of the heroes with their fighting skills, which notably upsets John Walker (Captain America) who is visibly angry that he was beaten by someone without powers.

During the fight Zemo escapes, causing the Dora Milaje to escape in pursuit of him.

Wilson and Morgenthau set up another meeting, with Sam's sister being the go-between for the plan.

Karli Morgenthau Flag Smasher Talks With Sam Wilson The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

This ends up being an inverted version of their first conversation, with Karli trying to convince Sam to join her.

Sam Wilson and Bucky Talk With Karli The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Disney Plus Marvel

She expresses her disillusionment with the US government and its role in perpetuating false heroes like the new Captain America, and that Sam is merely a tool in this system, not part of the problem that needs to be destroyed.

Captain America John Walker and Lemar Hoskins Fight Flag Smashers The Falcon and The Winter Soldier The Whole World Is Watching

Once again John Walker's Captain America interrupts the situation with his violence.

He becomes increasingly agitated when the Flag Smashers capture his friend, Lemar Hoskins, even though this is short-lived and he is able to free himself with relative ease.

Falcon Fighting Flag Smashers The Falcon and The Winter Soldier The Whole World is Watching

All of the fighters end up coming together in one large fight utilizing all of their powers.

John Walker Captain America Holding Lemar Hoskins Dead Body The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

During this, Karli ends up attacking Hoskins with enough force that it pushes him into a collum, killing him.

In the ensuing reaction, the Flag Smashers escape and John Walker becomes even angrier than we have seen him before, following the death of his friend.

John Walker Captain America Killing Flag Smasher On Steps The Flacon and The Winter Soldier Disney Plus Marvel

He jumps out of the building and is able to corner one member of the Flag Smashers, not even the one who killed Hoskins. He begins to question the man, but almost immediately shifts into uncontrolled violence, repeatedly hitting him with his shield.

John Walker Captain America With Blood Soaked Shield The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

This scene is uncomfortable to watch and notably different than most violence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is largely bloodless. This scene sees blood splatter during the fight, and ends with one of the most striking images of the series so far, Captain America standing over a dead body with a shield covered in blood.

Captain America John Walker Standing Over Dead Body Watched By Crowd The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Marvel Disney Plus

The entire encounter was watched and recorded by a crowd who increasingly looks on horrified by this event, with Karli among them.

The fact that this encounter took place in public cannot be underestimated, and the fallout from this will surely be examined. The Flag Smashers have already been shown to have a growing amount of worldwide support, and an unprovoked murder of one of their members by Captain America will almost certainly impact this, as well as public support for John Walker himself.

This event just showcases the corrupt morality and values that have been at The Falcon and The Winter Soldier's center from the beginning. A villain with a moral and justifiable cause, and an arrogant hero with a bloated sense of self-importance. How the public reacts to this will almost certainly define the remainder of the series.


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