Disney+ original The Falcon and the Winter Soldier wrapped up last week, and boy were my expectations for the series exceeded. Sebastian Stan proved once again that no matter what outfit he’s wearing, how long his luscious locks are, or how much facial hair he possesses, that he is, in fact, one of the most handsome individuals we as a society have been gifted with. I mean, my goodness, what a man.
Alright, scratch that opening.
Spoilers ahead!
Fresh off the end of the WandaVision series, Marvel kept the fans happy with the immediate release of their new show, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier. The show takes place six months after the events of Avengers: Endgame, and follows the lives of the titular characters Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), aka The Falcon, as well as Bucky Barnes (Stan), also known as The Winter Soldier (and my husband…).
Since the Blip, the world has been in chaos, with billions of people suddenly reappearing in the world and trying to continue living the lives they had before they turned to dust for five years. Sam and Bucky find themselves facing a group of terrorists who call themselves the Flag Smashers, who feel that those who came back in the Blip are being treated better than those who survived the Snap. The Flag Smashers retaliate, using violence and destruction to try to keep things as close as possible to the way they were before the Blip.
All the while Sam is struggling to keep his family financially secure, and Bucky is trying to make amends for all the wrongs he did as the Winter Soldier.
The show seems to carry the same vibe as the second and third Captain America films, as in: it is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s a beautiful mix of action, cinematography, character building, and, of course, Sebastian Stan. It seems critics also reacted well to the show – the six-episode miniseries averaged an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Overall, the show is a beautifully-crafted piece of the MCU which explores the complexities and depth of previously skimmed-over characters and sets the stage for another phase of Marvel movies. It’s thrilling, funny, and emotional. I loved every bit of it and am desperately hoping for another season. Five stars.