The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is only a few episodes in and has already tackled very human themes, including police harassment. The series has also showcased other more positive social ideas with scenes that focus on community and togetherness. These moments, which mainly feature Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), have helped demonstrate why Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) chose him to wield the shield.
The end of Avengers: Endgame concluded Steve’s story with Sam promising to try his best in regards to owning up to the legacy set by Rogers. Sadly, his hesitance to assume the role got the better of him, and he felt the shield belonged with the rest of Steve’s legacy. But even in just the first two episodes, Sam has inadvertently exemplified the characteristics needed to be Captain America.
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In Season 1, Episode 1, “Brand New World,” Sam was working on Redwing with his friend and colleague Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) in Tunisia. As they talked, a local man walked up with his wife to thank Sam for bringing her back after the Blip, to which Sam smiled and responded in Arabic. At the moment, he thought nothing of it, but it served as a great example of why he is fit for the shield—no matter where he is, his genuine aura puts people at ease.
Sam continued this trend again in Season 1, Episode 2, “The Star-Spangled Man,” when he and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) went to meet someone from Bucky’s past. On their way there, Sam stopped to tease a couple of neighborhood kids who recognized him. While Bucky just ignored it and kept walking, Sam took the time to make these kids’ day just by chatting. It’s yet another example of him going out of his way for others in a way Steve Rogers often couldn’t.
From the moment he became Captain America to him going to return the Infinity Stones, Steve Rogers was a soldier at war. He may have traded Nazis and Hydra for robots and aliens, but he never got to settle down and be the Captain America of the people known so well in the comics. But even though there was no time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for him to mingle with the people, that never made him a bad Captain America.
By letting Sam play a larger role in communities worldwide, he can separate himself from the Captain America that came before. Sam might not see it yet, but when he eventually takes to the skies with his shield, the people he impacted along the way will have his back. While Steve couldn’t always be there to chat with civilians, he knew it was important and this most likely played a large part in why he chose Sam.
Directed by Kari Skogland, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Noah Mills, Carl Lumbly and Daniel Brühl. New episodes debut on Fridays on Disney+.
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