Last episode re:Cap, they tracked the Super Soldier serum to Dr. Nagel. He made twenty samples and gives them a name, Madani. Nagel is killed by Zemo’s gun and an explosion destroys his lab. Sam is rethinking handing over the shield to the museum. He gets a call from Madani was killed at Riga. The Flag-Smashers are taking supplies and Karli drives away she sets off explosives killing the innocent men. At Riga, Latvia, Zemo and Sam are headed to a meeting, Zemo says it’s “a place we can go.” Bucky stays behind, picking up metal balls from around the street. At an ally, he confronts the owner, Ayo (Florence Kasumba), the Dora Milaje whom we first saw in Captain America: Civil War (2016), and lastly in Avengers: Infinity War (2018)! She is tracking Zemo! This episode opens in Wakanda! I can't wait for the Wakandan series! There is a campfire in the hills, six years ago. Bucky is there, he is told “it’s time” by Ayo in full Dora Milaje armor. She starts saying the code words that activate the Winter Soldier.
Bucky is wracked emotionally as the final words are said by Ayo. He flashes back to his time as Winter Soldier. Bucky’s face turns into a grimace and then he sheds a tear. Ayo says to him, “You are free.” Bucky just cries, the Winter Soldier memories must be crushing him, POW flashbacks. The emotional toil is powerful. Then, we have Bucky facing Ayo on the Latvian street. She confronts him with Zemo’s escape and his killing of King T’Chaka. Bucky says in Wakandan, “He’s a means to an end.” Does Bucky have dual citizenship in Wakanda? Ayo gives him eight hours. She holds out her hand and he gives her the Kimoyo Beads before she walks away. He returns to the house where he left Sam and Zemo. Bucky tells them that they were followed by a Wakandan. Zemo is casually walking out in a bathrobe. Bucky gets an update on his phone about the deaths caused by the Flag Smashers. Zemo says Karli won’t stop until they kill her. In a building by a river, the Flag Smashers get the news that the GRC is making a resolution for their bombing. Karli leaves the group to stand alone.
Zemo takes them to a courtyard. Sam goes to a top floor and aska about Madani. The refugees leave him and he sees the Flag Smasher symbol. One man tells Sam that they are “internationally displaced persons.” Zemo takes a seat in the courtyard and pours out a bag of Turkish Delight, um, they are delicious! He tells a girl (Marie Martinova) that they were a favorite of his son. Zemo asks her if she knows where is Madani’s funeral. Sam meets up with Bucky and they see the whispered conversation with Zemo. Later, Sam explains the situation with the refugees who suddenly find themselves without help, only Karli’s group helps them. Zemo admits he found out about Madani’s funeral. Bucky reminds him about the Dora Milaje. Tensions are high with Bucky and Zemo. Sam calls Sharon Carter. He wants someone to watch their back. Sharon says she has a satellite and also that the Power Broker is going to tear Madripoor apart for the death of Dr. Nagel. At a cemetary, Karli is there with a Flag Smasher associate, Nico (Noah Mills), who opens a stone panel on a headstone. She removes a bag with the serum!
Winter Soldier costume for Captain America: Civil War, 2016, El Capitan Theatre, photo by the author.
The man says his grandfather, Lukasz, fought the Nazis and it is his headstone they standing over. Karli says Captain America and the shield are a “bygone era.” Then, she says they have to go to Madani’s funeral. Captain Walker and Battlestar meet up with Sam, Bucky, and Zemo. Sam wants to talk to her. Captain Walker wants to take action. Hoskins thinks there might be chance with Sam’s talk. Zemo points out his “associate”, the little girl, she takes them back to the building. Walker handcuffs Zemo and gives Sam “ten minutes.” The memorial is presided over by Karli. She says Madani is the only one who watched over her. Sam makes certain that Karli sees him at the floor above the memorial. The refugees and Flag Smashers pay their respects as Karli eyes Sam. After everyone leaves, Karli confronts Sam. Walker frets, but it looks like Bucky won’t let him interrupt the talk. Sam, being very clever, gets Karli to admit she has more of the serum. She also says people who try to stop her are “roadblocks” and she will kill them. Karli thinks Sam tricked her into saying those words. Sam says he agrees with her cause, like his sister’s problem, this is a strong negotiation, why Falcon deserved the shield.
Walker appears, this panics Karli, she runs. He is no Captain America. Bucky chases after her when she makes a super leap. Zemo’s handcuffs hang empty. Sam finds Bucky, but they are lost. Karli reaches a basement room and Zemo shoots her! She knocks over the bag with the serum! Zemo sees the serum and picks up a vial of the blue liquid! He starts smashing the serum while Karli runs away. Zemo is stuck by Captain America’s shield. Walker sees one vial in a corner. He pockets it while the others enter the room. Karli is told the serum is destroyed and her ally, Dovich (Desmond Chiam), gets a message from the Power Broker. He wants the serum or he will kill Karli. Her strategy is to divide up Sam and kill Captain America! Later, we have Zemo on a couch, with a towel over his face. The shield hurts! He asks Sam on computer contacting Sharon. Sam wants her to check on Walker. Zemo asks Sam if he would take the serum and he immediately says no. Of course, he doesn’t want to become Captain America, he doesn’t need the serum. Things ramp up, heavy action with Falcon back with his wings, but some dark consequences. I think next episode will start with a flashback to Walker and Hoskins winning the Medal of Honor. Addendum: I thought Dr. Raynor was connected to the Power Broker, but events in this episode change my mind. The Flag Smashers are one step ahead of everyone, so what if Raynor is helping them, Raynor had a mission with Walker, and what if she is actually their leader? It was Dr. Raynor All Along? The Falcon and the Winter Soldier goes deep into the political grey territory, less about fights, and more about character.
Four Red Wings out of Five!
#TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier, #TheWholeWorldIsWatching, #FlorenceKasumba, #NoahMills, #DesmondChiam
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