**WARNING THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER**
As The Falcon and The Winter Soldier ends its first season it does so by delighting fans with the big moments they can expect from a Marvel movie, coupled with the intimate low-key moments that make The Falcon And The Winter Soldier so incredible to watch. There are so many moments that shine in this final episode of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier that it is easy to overlook its shortcomings. That being said I have to draw attention to my biggest issue in the episode, and the entire series, the Flag-Smashers themselves.
The Flag-Smashers are terrible antagonists and fail to present any real threat to our heroes, let alone anyone else. We do not have to worry about any real danger they present, as they only act as a means to show how much better Sam Wilson is than John Walker. It’s never a great sign when the main villain can be simply approached and talked to in a calm rational way, as seen in previous episodes. Some of the threats that Karli Morgenthau embodies seemed brushed off as tantrums of a child, rather than well-thought-out plans.
This is most notable in the final episode where Karli loses any semblance of control and does not even seem dangerous at this point. The final fight is lackluster and meaningless, no one of worth gets hurt, no one learns anything, and no real progress is made. Sure a few villains are killed, but we can’t be bothered to care at this point, as they have seemed doomed from the onset.
My only other issue with the episode is the Power Broker reveal. Now, I understand that television shows are forced to act in a particular way, more often than not revealing a key villain to have been in the midst of the heroes all along. This seems to be too obvious of a reveal in the MCU, as they have such a large universe to choose from, that it seems lazy here. Why not reach out and choose someone from another film, or someone new, rather than choosing someone directly under our nose.
One of my biggest gripes with the MCU is that it can feel formulaic at times, and rely too heavily on what has been done in the past. It was not shocking in Captain America: The Winter Soldier when Redford’s Alexander Price turned out to be the villain, nor was it when Aldrich Killian, Baron Mordo, Quentin Beck, Yon-Rogg, Darren Cross, Ego, nor Agatha Harkness. Not since Obediah Stane have I once been shocked by a villain reveal. It is about time that Marvel gave up this tired trope.
What works well in this episode is Sam shining as Captain America, flying in and effortlessly saving the day. What’s great about Sam is how much he is not Steve Rogers. He does look like him, sound like him, or act like him. He is his own Captain America and represents America better than Steve ever did. Sam is the everyman that Steve never was. Not necessarily an underdog, but someone who shows up does the right thing, but is never rewarded for his efforts.
Seeing Sam In the Captain America uniform feels like the first real step towards the future of the MCU. Though WandaVision was a delightfully fun romp through television tropes, it felt as though it was biding time for something bigger. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier feels more transitional and its importance is clearly demonstrated. We are introduced to many more key players in the MCU, and there is more excitement for what is to come.
What is great about the final episode of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier is that we are given enough to satisfy our craving for a conclusion, but are left wanting more. Something that Marvel has mastered to a tee. All of our favorite characters have been left in the lurch, waiting for their next opportunity to shine.
[John] Walker, Zemo, and Carter all have more stories to tell, either redeemed or vilified. Sam and Bucky finally bonded, are equals and friends for the first time. Bucky finds some semblance of peace and redemption. Sam finally comes to terms with the expectations thrust upon him, having him do the one thing we as viewers have been wanting him to do from the get-go and put on the red, white, and blue.
My favorite moments are not even the most exciting, but rather the small things that allowed me to see happiness in this show that focused on a lot of depression and sadness. Isaiah Bradley gets his recognition; Zemo happily learns of the deaths of the Flag-smashers; John Walker is allowed to be the hero he wanted to be all along; Bucky finds acceptance and family; and Sam stands tall as the new Captain America.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is streaming in its entirety now on Disney+.
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