top of page

Falcon and Winter Soldier Character Profiles

  • Writer: Jordan Croft
    Jordan Croft
  • Apr 12, 2021
  • 7 min read

ree

We are 4 episodes into Falcon and The Winter Soldier and the many moving parts to the series continue to develop in every episode. In previous episodes there was a definite focus on certain characters but with the ironic naming of episode 4, ‘The whole world is watching’, every piece started to fall into place which is likely to be completed in the epic conclusion to the shockingly good series.


Sam Wilson – Falcon:


ree

Let’s begin by taking a look at the lead character of the series which is Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). In previous episodes it has been Sam learning about the horrors that the world has been hiding. This has seen Sam take more of a back seat in the series, but with episode 4 Sam as the lead was firmly brought back.


After visiting the displacement camp in Latvia we start to hear what Sam thinks about the situation regarding the Flag Smashers and everything he has seen. What is interesting for Sam is that he makes it pretty clear that he agrees with the argument the Flag Smashers have about the world. Sam makes this clear when he talks about what the blip meant and how those in poverty were given homes and a good life during the blip. Then once again, when Sam is sent to speak with Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman) we get to see Sam’s beliefs as he talks about how he agrees with Karli’s fight. Where Sam differs from Karli though is the action taken against the fight. With Sam agreeing with the Flag Smashers we get to see why Sam is the prime candidate for Captain America. Sam is someone with no agenda just like Steve Rogers which means that his mission is always to help and do the right thing, not just the mission he has been assigned to.


The tendency to help has been a trait of Sam since we met him in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. With a history in counselling he tries to talk with Karli one to one in a peaceful environment. This action by Sam is something underrated by most heroes. Rather than fighting first, Sam chooses to negotiate. If we compare this to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), it was him in The Winter Soldier who wanted to compromise with the prime target and Sam was the one questioning it. In Falcon and The Winter Soldier it is now Sam who has taken this role on which once again is another reason why Sam is set to be the next Captain America.


Bucky Barnes – The Winter Soldier:


ree

For me the best character arc in the series is Bucky’s (Sebastian Stan). This is much to do with his internal struggle of being The Winter Soldier for so long, hence why the opening scene was so powerful. Taking us back 6 years to Bucky’s time in Wakanda we see how Ayo (Florence Kasumba) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) helped remove Hydra’s mind control out of Bucky’s head. The emotion we see on his face as Ayo says the trigger words is hard to watch. As Bucky begins to remember everything and think of all the pain he caused anger begins to take over which is then toppled by a burst of sadness and regret about the things he had done. Once all the words have been spoken, Bucky is set free and the burst of emotion turns to relief as he is finally set free.


As we move back to the current time of the series, Bucky is given 8 hours by Ayo. However, once the 8 hours are up the Dora Milaje come to arrest Zemo (Daniel Bruhl). In a fight scene which made the Dora Milaje look like the strongest warriors on Earth, Ayo deactivates the arm of Bucky which stuns him. With the Dora Milaje entering the series there is potential for more of Bucky’s time in Wakanda to be explored as there is an untold story there regarding Ayo and Bucky.


Moreover, in the episode we get to see Bucky’s fighting once again. In the previous episode Bucky showed off his Winter Soldier skills whereas in the 4th episode he is much tamer and leaves a man down and chooses not to use a knife to throw at someone. Could the entrance of Ayo and the Dora Milaje in the episode cause Bucky to remember the peace he had and remember that he isn’t The Winter Soldier and doesn’t need to act with extreme violence.


Zemo:


ree

Episode 3 was heavily focused on Zemo and the motives and purpose behind his character. This continued into episode 4 as he continues to give context about his beliefs. He discusses how the serum naturally warps aspirations. This helps us understand Zemo further as he doesn’t necessarily think all super soldiers are bad people but it is the serum itself which is the problem and every trace of it must be destroyed.


We also get to see more of the manipulating skills of Zemo but also how Zemo still feels sad more his family’s loss and for those who also have loss. This enables Zemo to acquire knowledge on the Flag Smashers which leads everyone to the first encounter with Karli in the episode.


ree

After Zemo leads everyone to Karli he is handcuffed by John Walker (Wyatt Russell). However, as you would expect from Zemo he escapes. This escape didn’t last long as he finds Karli and destroys all the serum which Karli drops. Zemo eventually is stopped by Walker but the action Zemo took was huge for the series. This moment for Zemo was also huge for his character as we got to see how he would act when he had the opportunity. By destroying the serums we learn that Zemo isn’t just all words as he carries out his plan.


Despite being found, the Dora Milaje then turn up and try to arrest Zemo. But with John Walker and Lemar Hoskins (Cle Bennett) there to make the interaction even more intense Zemo makes another escape. This is a big loose end the episode has and the question emerges as to what Zemo will do next. If we remember Zemo talking with the children he may know something extra which he may choose to look into by himself. Moreover, with the Dora on his case his mission has become much trickier. As such Zemo knew it would be easier to continue his mission alone without the problems the heroes and causing.


John Walker – Captain America:


ree

There has been many iconic moments in the MCU and one which has come from the series is the brutal murder of one of the Flag Smashers at the hands of the new Captain America John Walker. The downward spiral of Walker during his time as Cap was completed in the episode which saw a televised execution.


Looking at how this took place we see the continued annoyance that Walker has due to him mot being able to get the job done. Constant head rubbing indicates this and the pain of failing is hurting his head. However, we also see how Walker is starting to blame the serum for his failures. When he tells Bucky it is easy for him with the serum goes to show that Walker believes if he had enhancements then he could do a better job. Then when Walker stops Zemo from destroying the last of Nagel’s serum he finds the last one which instead of handing over he keeps for himself.


ree

We don’t see Walker take the serum but we know that he eventually takes it due to his later tests of strength and odd nervous twitches. The reason for him taking the serum without proper consideration starts with his defeat to the Dora. Losing to unpowered individuals caused him to question himself more than ever and starts to make the serum even more tempting. This is then backed up when he talks about the serum with Lemar Hoskins which is the seal of approval Walker needs to take the serum. Hoskins’ honesty is the final notion Walker needed to take the serum as he realises how much easier the job would be with enhancements and has been quickly convinced that nothing bad could come from it.


Lemar being the one to give Walker his unknowing approval is then made to seem even more important as he is the one to die which causes the outburst of rage from John Walker. In a scene which plays like the opposite version to Steve’s first act with the serum, Walker hunts down a Flag Smasher whom wasn’t directly responsible for his friend’s death and brutally kills him on the steps of a memorial. The journey into darkness has been completed by Walker and the rage he feels is not likely to stop.


We also cannot ignore the significance of this moment. A symbol of unity and togetherness is seen with the dripping blood of a helpless enemy. Is this the American symbol which people want to get behind?


Karli Morgenthau & The Flag Smashers:


ree

With the series continuing to develop the character of Karli Morgenthau and the Flag Smashers group are doing as well. After bombing the GRC building the group has definitely began to feel like a terrorist organisation as the more extreme action taken seems to gain more support for the group. This seems to be the theme for the group moving forward with Karli heading up the movement.


As we mentioned earlier Karli and Sam and a one to one talk in the episode and this is where we start to see more of Karli’s beliefs as she talks about regretting nothing. Ultimately what we learn is that the cause Karli is fighting for is the right one, but how she is fighting is where the upset comes. This is what makes her and the group terrorists. As well as this we start to see the lengths the group is willing to go to in order to send a message. In this episode that message included killing Captain America.


Although the plan on the surface failed the result of a public execution of one of the Flag Smashers, as sad as it may be, will have had a similar impact on their cause. The death of a group member at the hands of Captain America will have resulted in him become a martyr to the cause and the public perspective of Captain America will be at an all-time low and the groups support will be on a high. Despite this in the upcoming episodes the threat of Captain America will be more severe than ever and add the Power Broker onto this and we may see Karli and the group become more radical to get their message across before its too late.



Images:

Marvel Studios

Disney+

Comments


IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ME OR THE SITE, PLEASE DROP US A MESSAGE AND WE WILL RESPOND

Thanks for submitting!

© 2021 by InDepthMarvel

Jordan Croft

Email: jordycroft25@gmail.com

bottom of page