THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER

 

With the dust now settled from Avengers: Endgame (pun intended) and Marvel Studios having recently finished the run of their debut miniseries WandaVision, they show no signs of slowing down after a year absence with another original series in the shape of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. If the first episode is anything to go by, we are in for another televisual treat within the MCU.

What is clear from the first episode is that, along with the great action we are so used to seeing in this franchise, there is going to be a lot of time to delve into two characters who have very much had supporting roles thus far. Opening with a pulsating action sequence showing Anthony Mackie's Falcon in full flight, the show kicks off at a blistering pace with something of real blockbuster movie quality. It's a mightily confident and strong introduction to the series and proves it is in the right hands to deliver big action the MCU deserves.

Everything soon settles down to allow some time for proper re-introductions to Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, Falcon and the Winter Soldier as more commonly known, and this is where you can see the series will be able to flesh them out more for the audience. Sam's struggles with the weight of responsibility left on his shoulders by Steve Rogers in leaving him the Captain America mantle potentially a great arc the series can develop into something really special. Anthony Mackie hasn't had the chance to sink his teeth into anything of serious note in the MCU just yet but that's all about to change with what is hinted at here, Mackie more than capable enough of pulling it off as well.

Sebastian Stan has always brought a sense of vulnerability to Bucky Barnes when he wasn't activated as the Winter Soldier, his skills making him one of the most dangerous characters in the MCU, but the other side to him ensuring the audience have really taken to him and feel a lot of empathy towards him for years of being used as a weapon against his will. Where The Falcon and the Winter Soldier picks things up with Bucky, on a personal mission of redemption while also attending therapy sessions, feels like a perfect starting point to examine the psyche of a man with a fractured past. 

There are other things that happen in the season premiere but to go into them now would potentially lead to spoilers. Clearly setting things up to come in the following episodes, this first episode starts fast but slows things down to allow character beats to come to the fore, ending with a moment that implies there is no way things aren't going to become a bit political as the series continues.

I can't wait to see more of what Marvel Studios have in store with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, giving two popular MCU characters more chance to shine in a way that feels more suited to the franchise than WandaVision. Remember it's all weekly again so it'll be fun to discuss each episode week-by-week however, can we please keep the theories a little more grounded this time and not act so petulant when what you think may happen doesn't in the end.