It’s no secret that The Falcon and Winter Soldier didn’t generate exactly the same kind of internet passion as its Marvel TV predecessor WandaVision.
There were a few memes and theories and an adorable hour-long cut from Zemo (Daniel Brühl) dancing in the club, but there was also a bit of an effort to connect with the crowded action extravaganza. It just wasn’t an easy task to give us an adorable buddy comedy and exploration of Captain America’s legacy, as well as a real look at the aftermath of the blip and commentary on racism in America and the MCU, and preparation for what’s next give it all in just six Marvel-quality episodes.
The two title men (Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan) didn’t even speak in episode one, and then episode two was a joy full of bromance, but then episode three was a travel show with a mass murderer. All the while, we were forced to endure a new, much worse version of Captain America while sympathizing with some kind of vicious, heroic group of rebels.
It was just a lot, and it didn’t really all come together until the end of the fourth episode when Budget Cap really lost it. His partner was killed, and he couldn’t keep it together using the iconic shield to beat a man to death in public.
