Disney+ is wasting no time debuting new content with the premiere of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in “New World Order.” Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan grace the small screen together to find their place after losing Captain America. Since they were both close with Steve Rogers, it only makes sense that they will naturally find one another. But first, we see where our heroes have landed post Endgame.
Sam Wilson has already turned down the mantle of Captain America. He doesn’t want to take over that role. After all, Falcon is a hero in his own right. Falcon is still helping the military on covert missions. In his first big scene, we see him face off against Georges Batroc. I was excited to see Georges St-Pierre coming back because his scene against Captain America in Winter Soldier is still one of the best choreographed fight scenes (without super powers), in my opinion. Plus, it reminded the audience of when Falcon and Winter Soldier were both introduced in the MCU. The stunts and effects were nothing short of spectacular, and it looks like Georges Batroc may have survived to fight another day. I would have no problem with him popping back up in a later episode.
Of course, you would think all of this saving the world would come with a decent paycheck, but Falcon hints at that not being the case. He goes home to Delacroix, Louisiana to see his sister and her family. What he doesn’t expect is to see how much she’s struggling. When Sam offers to help her get a loan, they are disappointed with the bank. Sam was one of millions who were gone for five years thanks to Thanos, but all the bank sees is that Sam didn’t have any income in those five years. They deny Sam and his sister a loan, which was highly frustrating, and yet completely set in reality. All I know is that Sam needs to ask for a promotion and a stipend for his family because while it’s great to know that heroes are working on goodwill, they also shouldn’t have to suffer after quite literally saving the universe.
James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes is also not faring so well after being put back in the real world. He’s in therapy, which seems to be helping, I think. His therapist has recommended that he make amends for his time as the Winter Soldier. While he couldn’t help being controlled by Hydra, it clearly still haunts him, causing Bucky to have flashback nightmares of his crimes. Bucky has been pardoned, but what exactly is he supposed to do with his life?
Bucky has befriended an older man who is struggling with the loss of his son. They eat at a bar, where the man, Yori, asks the bartender out on a date with Bucky. Since he can’t really say no, he agrees. If you ever wondered how Bucky Barnes would be on a date, you got to see the uncomfortable scene unfold. I mean how can he explain his age and his gloves? Bucky can’t keep staying on the date when she brings up Yori’s son. It doesn’t take a therapist to unravel the fact that the Winter Soldier was responsible for his death. Yori can’t seem to shake that his son could have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and Bucky can’t bring himself to make amends with him. Honestly, will it make the man feel better to know more about his son’s murder? I’m not sure it would even help matters at this point.
Meanwhile, Sam has a friend, Joaquin Torres, who is trying to infiltrate an extremist group, the Flag Smashers. A big group was standing outside of a bank in Switzerland. They were all given masks to wear to confuse the police, so they could get away with the money. When Torres tried to intervene, a man with enhanced strength almost killed him. In the end, they all got away, but Torres got some footage to Sam in hopes of getting help with this anti-patriotism group.
Just when you think there’s been a good bit of set up for this action packed mini series, there’s more. The government decides it really needs a symbol of hope. Instead of letting Falcon step into the limelight as himself, they cast a new Captain America, completely replacing Steve Rogers with someone else. Who is this new guy, and how does he deserve to take on the Captain America persona? It’s hard to imagine there are only five more episodes of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and I can’t wait to see how they wrap this up. Will either Sam or Bucky pick up the shield and become Captain America? In the Marvel comic books, both Sam and Bucky have taken on the Captain America alter ego at one point. Also, will this set up a new set of Marvel films with a new Captain America?