THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER: Episode 4 Review

Hello and welcome my few but affectionate readers, only 2 episodes left until the end of this series, which, I must say, is slightly missing the mark. I am still enjoying it, but I wonder if I would still be watching it if it didn't feature MCU content.

Let's start by saying Sebastian Stan is a great actor and, as everyone acknowledged, the opening scene showed a very heartfelt glimpse into his recovery time in Wakanda. He seems to have a good connection Ayo, could it be something more than mutual respect?

She is very much a severe soldier, but I noticed she initially called Bucky 'White Wolf' and she switched to 'James' by the end of the episode, showing she distanced herself from him and doesn't stand by his ideals.

The Dora Milaje definitely still hold a grudge and mean business. Not only do they make the new Captain American feel emasculated and all insecure, Ayo activates a mechanism to detach Bucky's arm. That proves that they didn't really trust him, and made the arm removable.

I found it hilarious when John Walker claims the Dora Milaje have no jurisdiction there, when he's literally a U.S. Agent in Europe.

Which bring me to the question, when if at all did John take the serum? Could it be after his talk with Lemar? Could it be being defeated by the Dora Milaje induced him to take it?

I read a Hollyword Reporter article, and I started to think, is John Walker a victim of his time? Steve Rogers was very much a man out of time and, even though he was always a moral compass for the rest of the Avengers, he didn't have enough knowledge of the modern world - the scene in which everyone is filming with their phones, it wouldn't have had the same impact on Steve. I loved the shot of the blood stained shield at the end, what a game changer.

This is not a defence of John Walker, but he is shaping up to be perhaps the msot uanced character in the show. It's almost becoming the John Waker Show. What happened in Afghanistan? Why does he feel so insecure despite his arrogant attitude? What will losing Lemar do to him?

I see that they are trying to make Sam the moral one in the group, but for some reason he doesn't hold the same gravitas as Steve. His backstory isn't strong enough to support that, and even his criticisng Karli doesnt feel too convincing. The bottom line is he agrees with her ideas, but not with her methods, but does he really take a stance? and why doesn't he juts ow up alone?

It doesn't that Karli is so painfully boring. She doesn't feel like a threat. Yes, she has become more unhinged but I still don't understand her motive. Resume life to how it was during the blip? Spreding the wealth? Is she a nihilist like Thanos or a communist?

Maybe the world after the blip has outgrown heroes. There is no black or white anymore, so does the word really need a new Captain America? The U.S. might think they do, but that's another story.

What I hope to see in the last two episodes:

- For the focus to switch back on Bucky and Sam and for their story arcs to be finally completed - Sam will realise he's worthy of the shield and will get Sharon aprdoned and in his arms, and Bucky, will be able to make amends to Yori and finally become the heroic supersoldier he was meant to be;

- For Zemo to have a permanent role as a counsellor for the Avengers;

- John Walker sitting in the therapist's office just like Bucky did at the start of the series. He is eventually able to get back to civilian life and find some stability;

- For Karli to never be mentioned again;

- More Torres content; I realise they had to cut his storyline (though had to is a bit of a stretch, why would they have to cut storylines? why do they set these limits for themselves? are Disney poor?) but why introduce him at all if he's going to just fly them to some place? This series has already introduced too many charcaters without a real reason.