THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER: Episode 3 Review

Episode 3 is a complete change of scenery and themes in comparison to the first two episodes. I won't say it's the best so far, but it certainly was the most interesting in terms of cinematography, direction and character development.

Let's start by talking about the most obvious "development". Turns out that Zemo is in fact Baron Zemo, as per the comics. The impression we got after watching Civil War was the one of a middle-class Sokovian man, who trained in the military, who lost his family during the Ultron attack. Seems like he lost them in the mansion he used to share with them.

I predicted Zemo was going to work with them (yay me) but I thought it would be in some kind of double-agent capacity. Now he seems like he's a different man, saying all he did "wasn't personal", and he's almost become a comedic relief, most definitely not a threat. It feels like a bit of a stretch... But I'm enjoying this new dynamic. The only scene which still made me question his intention was when he picked up the mask for the backseat of the car. Why did he put the mask on? Is he trying to simply hide his identity as he's a fugitive, or does he enjoy the whole secret identity - vigilante role?

We get a little a glimpse at how the new Captain America is doing, and he's getting more and more unhinged by the minute. His line to Lemar Hoskins (Battlestar - I agree with Bucky, are you kidding me?) which was on the lines of - doesn’t matter how we achieve it, as long as we get results - is the exact opposite of what Steve Rogers would say. I'm waiting for the moment someone might kill his friend or his high school sweetheart and he’ll go completely berserk.

Our newly forged trio, Bucky, Sam, and Zemo, travels in style to Madripoor, which I've learnt is heavily mentioned in X-Men comics. fist Evan peters, now this? Are we finally going to see X-Men in the MCU? However, the real question is: Why is everyone wearing warm clothing in Indonesia? I know it seems irrelevant but trust me, I have been there in NOVEMBER and it was the. hottest. place. I've. ever. been. in. Ditch the leather jacket, you're to combust.

It was painful to see Bucky having to relive his trauma, having to pretend to be a deadly puppet in the hands of the next shady person. Is he going to retaliate? or is he going to be stronger than that?

Again, as predicted (I'm a Sokovian fortune teller y'all) Sharon is getting the hots for Sam. Checking him out shirtless, real class act (and what all of us would have done in her position). She does only fancy people with the shield!! That's why I predict she isn't going to make a move until he steals it back. No shield, no Sharon.

Talking about Sharon, it seems like she didn’t blip, and has been on the run for now 7 years. During that time, she got a great skincare routine that shows no signs of stress or age, became proficient in one on one and especially at finding random knives in her enemies' pockets. As for now, she seems to be a replacement for Black Widow. 7 years is definitely enough time to build up resentment, but I can't help but wonder, why is she so angry, when she offered to help and to sacrifice her legal life? of course, one can fail to understand the weight of the undertaking, but it seems out of character for her.

Dr Nagel a bit of a cop-out introduction. In Madripoor, we get a chain of names leading to where the super-soldier serum might be. He fulfils his purpose and gets killed, predictably, by Zemo. Shelby was another character so built up before introducing her, but as soon as she reveals her bit of information, she is killed. Was that absolutely necessary? It definitely works towards shaping up the mystery of it all, but introducing so many characters without a real follow-up can prove to be confusing.

Karli Morgenthau, who is British for some reason, is becoming more established as the leader of the flag smashers. She travels the Baltics and tries to cure - her mother? her carer? her aunt? her friend? - with the super-soldier serum, but doesn't quite make it out on time. It's a little more insight into her backstory, but I still need to see a strong motive from her. Karli isn't really evil. She is fighting for what she believes in. And that's what was terrifying about Thanos, the fact that he did make some twisted sense when detailing how overpopulation took the toll on climate change and resources.

The Power Broker has links to both the flag smashers and the underlife in Madripoor. Looks like they are shaping up to be the show's main antagonist.

And here we are, the very last scene. Bucky follows a trail made up of small I guess vibranium bullets, and finds Ayo, a member of the Dora Milaje. I completely forgot appeared in Civil War as well as Black Panther. She claims she is there for Zemo, which might further complicate things. Why does she have an agenda against Zemo? Is it because of what he did to her king? But then again, why her, specifically? Is she going to be the new Black Panther? Is she gonna end up with Bucky? What do the bullets mean, and the symbols? Did she blip?

Wakanda has been referenced by Bucky quite a few times now, and I wonder if they migh use this series to set up the new Black panther after the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. I think it'd be quite a good idea to go in a different direction, i.e. cast a woman, as opposed to just hiring a carbon copy of T'challa.

What I'm looking forward to seeing in the next episodes

1) A big reveal as to who the Power Broker could be. I'm hoping it will be someone we have already met, maybe Sharon? Or could it be the character who's "going to make us cry" as teased by the showrunners? No, I promised myself I would never get my hopes up after reading interviews online (I'm still fuming about the aerospace engineer)

2) Finding out who the woman who picked Sharon up is. Do they both work for the Power Broker in some capacity?

3) Who killed Shelby? It wasn't Sharon, so who else is helping Sam and Bucky?