Extreme spoiler alert! If you haven’t seen Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the article will spoil a lot of the first episode!
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiered on March 19, 2021, and all fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are collectively losing their minds over the greatness of the show (the author of this article included).
Episode one did a great job of captivating the audience and having them want more. But did you spot these Easter Eggs?
The first voice we hear in the show is none other than Steve Rogers’ voice. It’s a nice little recap of Captain America’s last scene in Avengers: Endgame. Also, the shield case Sam uses is the same one that Steve gave him. He is just as sentimental as us all.
This scene also gives a glimpse into how Sam is coping with his world without Captain America. He doesn’t say a word, but we see how heavy the conversation with Steve has weighed on him. Let’s be real, Anthony Mackie sold that scene so well.
In the first couple of minutes of the episode, we are introduced to Lieutenant Joaquin Torres. Lt. Torres isn’t just a side character who helps move the plot along; he actually is huge in the comics. Lt. Torres takes over as the Falcon when Sam becomes Captain America, so I have a hunch this is an indicator of what will happen in the future.
Bucky’s section in the Captain America exhibit has expanded… but probably much to his chagrin. This exhibit airs out all of Bucky’s dirty laundry, highlighting how during WWII he was best friends with Steve, how he eventually became Steve’s foe as the Winter Soldier and his link to the Sokovia Accords.
I know Bucky wasn’t perfect–but to be fair, it’s not all his fault! The guy was brainwashed! If Steve Rogers can forgive him, so can we.
Yeah, I have to clarify using the word “original” because when he was the Winter Soldier, he wasn’t truly Bucky Barnes. But now that he is back to being himself, we notice him helping people who need him, especially in alleys. It’s another clever nod to the MCU in the first episode.
Remember when Steve was in a fight in an alley? Bucky came to the rescue! Well, in this episode, we see Bucky help his friend Yori, in where else? An alley.
Bucky still has that kindness and loyalty to his friends in his personality. He also has his moral compass back (I assume), which is why he keeps having nightmares about his actions as his former brainwashed self.
We learn that Yori’s son was one of those who crossed paths with the Winter Soldier and can sense the guilt that Bucky feels. His nightmares seem to be haunting him and he is trying his best to right his wrongs.
I was just as surprised as Sam was when a new Captain America (aka John Walker) shows up on the screen. This Captain America was not chosen by Steve Rogers, but by the U.S. government.
In the comics, John Walker is known as “US Agent,” and he isn’t the superhero he seems. US Agent actually ends up being corrupt and an all-around not wonderful guy. Will this version of John Walker follow the same path? Only time will tell! Fun fact: he’s played by Wyatt Russell, the son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.
As we see in episode one, the Falcon and the Winter Soldier have to adapt to a post-blip world without their hero, Captain America. We get more backstory on Sam and learn more about where he came from. We also get to see Bucky have to come to terms with who he was and who he is now.
I personally can’t wait for more of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier! New episodes premiere on Fridays on Disney+. Be there or be square–and check back here for more recaps, Easter eggs, and theories about the show.
