Falcon and Winter Soldier’s new Captain America costume has a deeper meaning

“He is no longer a falcon. But he is still black.”

Falcon and Winter Soldier Defined himself in Marvel Cinematic Cosmos through big ideas and blunt questioning. Producer Malcolm Spellman made it clear before the first episode that his series would take place with the dark side of race, heroism and American history. But in Episode 4, the Disney Plus series had asked a lot of questions, it felt like a moral mystery box from the JJ Abrams Playbook.

Can it really take a stand in the end? Can any character come out of a situation like Sam, in which a soldier fills the role of both Avenger and moral philosopher with a clearly defined place in the world? Made the world need A new Captain America? The question, not the answer, seemed to be Spellman’s priority, but the ambiguity of politics over the play diminished.

In Falcon and Winter Soldier The ending, “One World, One People”, ends Sam’s conflict, though perhaps not the conclusion. Episode 6 made room for a classic Marvel Comics reference and, in the spirit of the show, a barrage of other ideas. The episode tried to address all the issues raised during the season’s run, but the most obvious message was directed at Marvel’s most popular Twitter followers.

[Ed. note: This story contains major spoiler for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 6.]

Falcon’s new Captain America costume is familiar to Marvel fans

Picture: Marvel Studios

John Walker is out of commission after killing Flag-Smasher in Episode 4, with Sam and Bucky spending the most Falcon and Winter SoldierThe fifth hour depicting the state of the world while building the boat. A planned attack by Karli Morgenthu at a GRC conference in New York City forced the two into action again – and forced Sam to suit up with an un-proving new weapon. After training with all episodes of The Shield, what was in the box was clear and an unnecessary twist. Could Falcon really become Captain America after everything?

The answer was a resounding “yes”. In the opening moments of episode 6, Sam goes straight out of the comics into a battle with Hybrid Falcon-Captain America.

Picture: Angel Unzetta Galarza / Marvel Comics

How Sam became Captain America in the comics is at least an analogy to how it has happened in the movies: Steve Rogers was really old at the time. An observer had recently neutralized the Super Soldier serum in Steve’s blood, which not only removed all of his enhanced physical abilities, but also made him susceptible to all but 90 years of age. Seeing his new geometric body, Steve retired from the field and named Sam his successor.

With Steve’s blessing, Sam adapted to a new red, white and blue version of his Falcon armor, and tagged Captain America’s most iconic symbol as well as his ricocheting shield. One of the first things Sam did as a cap was to separate himself from both the SHIELD and the United States Government in an effort to create a more straight line from the American people.

The show has a similar moment, with sharp and small edges.

Falcon’s views on Captain America are aimed at Marvel fans

Image: Nick Spencer, Daniel Acuna / Marvel Comics

Sam doesn’t miss doing the beat in Captain America mode – Steve Rogers’ decision to donate to the stars and stripes of the old mantle doesn’t last long. As he tells elderly super soldier Isaiah Bradley later in the episode, he wants to continue fighting for the country he loves.

America imagined Isaiah in the most pathetic fashion. This is a country that landed John Walker in a battle he could not understand. But this is also a country Sam still believes he can save. The symbol still means something, though no one on the show really seems to be with what.

Instead, Sam’s political focus is on a cause beyond himself: the American government’s inability to help those in need. After taking down Batro the Leaper – the perfect political blockhead for someone now stuck in rhetoric to punch him in the face – Sam attempts to talk to Karli about her attack. But as Karli contemplates shooting the protagonist who promised to help him, Sharon Carter (revealed to the audience, but not Sam, to be the power broker) takes her out. and that’s that.

The final half of Finale is a full-blown drama, resolved in any modern show with ever-expanding moments of “time for some game theory”.

Picture: Marvel Studios

Sam retrieves Karli’s body for NYPD agents waiting on the perimeter. There he meets several senators behind the GRC program. Avenger lambasted him for describing the dead girl in his arms as a terrorist. They They are the ones who instigated this attack by displacing millions after the blip. They They are those who cannot support the struggling class. “These labels – terrorists, refugees, thugs – they often ask the question ‘Why?’ Come around. ” “What do you think those people are going to call you?”

Can a single jab be the opening salve of a big no-frills speech:

After all, we now have a common conflict. To think about that. Once all the people who are begging, literally begging, you know how hard it is on any given day, now you know. How did it feel helpless? If you can remember how it likes to be helpless, and face a force it can wipe off half the planet, you will know that you are about to the exact same effect. It is not about easy decisions.

I am a black man carrying stars and stripes – what do I not understand?

Whenever I raise this, I know that there are millions of people who hate me for this. Even now, here, I think. Stares, decisions, and there’s nothing I can do to change it. Yet I am still here. No Super Serum. Any blonde hair or blue eyes. The only power I have is that I believe we can do better. If we do not meet them half way we cannot demand. You control the banks! Yuck, you can move the boundaries. You can knock in a jungle with an email, you can feed a million people with a phone call. But the question is, who is in the room with you when you make those decisions? Is it people who influence you or is it people like you? I mean, this girl was trying to stop you and why didn’t anyone stop asking for a second. You have to do better, Senator, you’ve got to step up. If you don’t, the next one will be Karli. You do not want to see 2.0. People believed his cause, he helped him save the strongest governments in the world. Why do you think so

You guys have as much power as a mad god or a misguided teenager. The question you have to ask yourself is: how are you going to use it?

Sam’s perspective on how to help the world stems from her own background: in theory, the US government has its own transformed winged jetpack thing, which she can strap on to save the day at her will. And if it is not, it can create just one. If he, a single mortal man, can jump into action to fight bad people, then the structure we have built to protect society should only be agile.

This is a powerful approach, especially after a week where reminders of systematic failure reached hours and incremental justice was served. But this speech can be known to anyone who has worked for hours on Twitter. Sam has a big picture of what’s wrong about the world and is willing to accuse politicians for undoing it. From here his actual course of action is unclear.

Is he making them part of his mission? What is his fight? Who does he work for? What does he intend to do under the nickname Captain America? Is the government its enemy or its ally? Will he kill Karli next with his shield or will his workers help him in the campaign? Will he let John Walker stand there? Was shooting Sharon not a big deal for Karli? Will Falcon update CaptainAmerica.com with its new agenda? I want to know more. It’s unclear if we’re getting Falcon and Winter Soldier To continue exploring issues for season 2.

If there is a clear thematic route Falcon and Winter Soldier, Is that black representation is not a cheap gimmick. Removing a statue of Isaiah Bradley in the Steve Rogers Museum is a way to take real action to preserve the past. Currently, it means allowing a black person to become Captain America, the stuff, and all.

Marvel knows what it’s doing, and it’s telling fans: “Every time I pick up on this thing, I know that there are millions of people who are going to hate me for it.” Send your tweets to the draft folder. Don’t bother writing in abusive mail. Captain America is now Black, and is the new normal. Diversity, inclusiveness and thoughtfulness are part of Marvel Phase 4 and beyond.

Now, on the contrary Falcon and Winter Soldier, Marvel has to make good on perception. This question is asked. This needs an answer. The credits scene after the finale promises a second season or sequel film, and there is more pressure than ever to deliver it. Just as a set of provocative questions does not convince anyone to act, there is not a Black Captain America until Marvel gives him a proper place in the MCU.