The Winter Soldier and his MCU story

James Buchanan Barnes or better known as The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) is one of the most complex characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Being over 100 years old, it’s no surprise that Bucky has gone through is fair share of trauma in his life. Having started out on the side of good during the Second World War, after his capture by Hydra he was brainwashed and was used to serve the villainous organisation. However, with help from Captain America (Chris Evans), Bucky managed to turn himself around and served with the Avengers in their fight against Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the Disney+ show Falcon and The Winter Soldier set to come to our screens in March, it is a good opportunity for us to recap what Bucky has gone through during his time in the MCU, while also questioning what is next for him.

Captain America: The First Avenger:

With the release of Cap’s first solo movie, we were introduced to the friendship Bucky and Steve Rogers have. It has been somewhat forgotten how Bucky looked out for Steve when his mother died, something which Steve has never forgotten and is one of the reasons for his loyalty to his childhood friend.

We get to see this loyalty on display throughout the movie. Steve defies orders and single-handedly takes down a Hydra base so he could recue his Bucky. When Cap rescues him, it is important to know that experiments were already taking. Bucky muttering words when Cap set him free was the first indication that Hydra was trying to brainwash him. At least this time he managed to escape along with Captain America.

After his escape Bucky joined Steve with the Howling Commandos to continue taking down Hydra bases during the Second World War. However, on a mission trying to capture Arnim Zola (Toby Jones), Bucky fell from a train causing his assumed death. Similar to the comics Cap thought his best friend died on his watch, something that will have stayed with him until the Winter Soldier returned.

If we look at the importance of this film for Bucky it is essential in understanding his relationship with Steve, while we also begin to understand how Bucky was brain washed by Hydra. Ultimately the First Avenger explored the origin of both Cap and Bucky and gives us the back story to their friendship, something which all the future Captain America movies were built on.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier:

After defeating an alien invasion, Cap’s next big mission involved taking down Hydra, the organisation that managed to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. after the fall of Red Skull. During the movie along with Cap we learn that Bucky is still alive, although he isn’t the same man he used to be. Bucky had been turned into The Winter Soldier after his body was discovered by Hydra after his fall from the train. Damage had been done as he had lost and arm which was replaced with a metal one.

From the movie we also learn that the Winter Soldier had been an assassin for over 50 years and that when Bucky was working for Hydra he was getting his mind wiped and his brain washed, which is what Hydra has begun with during the war. Bucky didn’t even know his own name when Cap first saw him, but this did trigger something in the mind of Bucky.

During the final fight between Cap and the Winter Soldier, it is Steve who is willing to let Bucky finish his mission as Cap lets Bucky know that he will be with him “to the end of the line”. Steve tries throughout the fight to unlock Bucky’s memories and this affects him as Bucky constantly shouts at him to stop. After the fight is finished we finally see a new side of the Winter Soldier as he pulls Cap from the water which saved his life even though his mission was to kill him.

Words from Cap during the fight impacted Bucky and started his redemption. The collapse of Hydra also meant Bucky wasn’t working anyone for the first time. He uses this time to learn about his past and unlock more of his memories as he visits the Captain America museum.

In terms of the character of Bucky, what this movie showed is the powerful friendship he had with Steve in the past. It was the memory of Steve that was unlocked and that was something so strong in his mind that Hydra could never fully erase it.

Captain America: Civil War:

With the introduction of the Sokovia Accords and the complication of the Winter Soldier being framed for a bombing by Zemo (Daniel Bruhl), it was always going to be hard for Steve to let his friend get taken in or killed by the government. The loyalty Steve has for Bucky is what causes the split in the Avengers which shows how deep their friendship is.

Before the conflict escalates Bucky is tired of running and he just wants to be left alone. It is obvious that the actions of his past weigh heavy on his mind and when conflict sparks in his life again he wants to avoid it. This new side of Bucky shows that he no longer wants to be associated with his past and he wants to lead a quiet life where he avoids trouble because that is what always has followed him. We actually don’t see Bucky start any fights apart from when Zemo used his trigger words to bring back the brain washed Winter Soldier.

Once again we get to understand what Bucky has been through during his time working for Hydra, which includes the assassination of Howard Stark. When Tony (Robert Downey Jr) finds this out the brawl starts as Iron Man attacks Cap and Bucky. During the brawl Bucky tells Tony he remembers all of his victims, which is something incredibly difficult to live with. The brawl ends with Cap choosing to save Bucky which caused the permanent split of the Avengers.

After the movie ends, it is clear to everyone how much Steve and Bucky mean to each other. What also happens is that Bucky travels to Wakanda in order to remove everything Hydra put in his head. This means that Bucky can begin to work on himself and become a better person. He doesn’t have to worry about conflict he can just allow himself to heel in peace.

Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame:

When Thanos begins to collect the Infinity Stones, Cap and the remaining heroes on Earth prepare for battle in Wakanda. This sees the return of Bucky with a new Vibranium arm. For the first time the Winter Soldier is free of all of Hydra’s mind control and it is nice to see the reunion of childhood friends.

During the Battle of Wakanda, Bucky can finally use his skills with a free mind and can fight on the side of good once again. However, the battle is lost by the Avengers and Bucky is one of the first heroes to fade to dust. Avengers: Endgame reversed the actions by Thanos but the movie did end with the death of Iron Man and Steve Rogers handing down his shield.

When Cap doesn’t return from his mission in returning the infinity stones, it is Bucky that spotted an old Cap sitting by the lake. We don’t get to see the pair interact as Bucky allowed Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) the opportunity to speak with his friend. However, what Bucky would have felt is happiness for his best friend because he got to live the life he wanted after finishing the hardest mission of his life. He felt Cap deserved to retire and live his life with Peggy (Hayley Atwell).

What’s Next?

With Falcon and The Winter Soldier releasing to Disney+ in the coming weeks, it is exciting to think what is next for Bucky. The team up with Falcon will continue to develop their friendship that has started to grow. Both characters will miss Steve and will use each other as a replacement for him, which will be hilarious to watch as their bond strengths. Bucky will miss Steve more than Sam due to the strength of their friendship and we can expect to see Bucky to struggle without Steve, which is why the new bond which Bucky and Sam form will have to be strong to replace the one both heroes had with Captain America.

Moreover, since having Hydra’s work in his mind removed, Bucky hasn’t had any new missions. He took part in both battles against Thanos, but these were not missions that he would have been used to. Bucky will feel to fully redeem himself that he will need to work on the side of good like Captain America has done. Once he feels redeemed for his past actions then he may consider retiring like Steve has done.

With the return of Zemo in the series, there will also be more of a personal connection for the mission. Zemo was the last person to use his trigger words against him, so the likelihood of Bucky seeking revenge against him is high. But, the new Bucky may choose to go about this in a different way which would make the character arc of the Winter Soldier come full circle, because he has returned to the same mind-set that he had in The First Avenger movie.

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