A people & “people” have a common imperative; security. The need to protect life, safety and opportunity to thrive in a free society should be empathized and understood universally, but as Sam Wilson has stated, “Every time something gets better for one group, it get worse for another”. This unfortunate reality can only cause a people (and “people”) to create means to secure their livelihood(s). Borders are made, soldiers are paid and so on. Weapons once were the common instrument for security unilaterally, but once first world governments became a thing and societies were created, voting & community activism are now the norm. As much as we would like to believe that peace is real and expansive, each sovereign nation has a military for a reason. Power and the strategic use of power on any level is where security is created, maintained and where change for a people (or “people”) begins and expands.
Within The Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Super Soldier Serum has become the ultimate instrument for power & freedom. Similar to wealth, fame or any other sort of “power”, it magnifies the prominent qualities a person has. In creating characters with the strength of a mythological god, we are given the opportunity to imagine and examine how we as people and “a people” would act with such an advantage over nature; and each other. Needless to imagine, governments, factions seeking global representation and plain old power brokers would stop at nothing to have this advantage for their own devices; whether it be for security or world dominance. It is common belief that more would use it for the latter. What do you think? The answer to that question will probably land you on one of two sides in judging the outcome and ending of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, “The Whole World Is Watching” (Episode 4).
Episode 4 starts with the most powerful scene in the series. Six years prior to the show’s present time we see Ayo in the final stages of freeing Bucky from what we now know Hydra called, The Revelry Codes. These words were used in tandem with electro-shock therapy to create The Winter Soldier persona that plagued Bucky for 90 years. Although we do not see her, I’d like to think Shuri was in the shadows watching the final test and success for Bucky’s reconditioning. I would also like to think that Sebastian used his grief for the loss of our beloved Chadwick Boseman to create such a visceral & emotional scene. This way, we can all cry with him. His acting in this opening rivals that of Elizabeth Olsen’s in WandaVision. The connection and trust between Ayo & Bucky is established here and makes all future interactions between them that more poignant. I definitely emoted out loud when I first watched this.
Whereas this episode is tied with Episode 2 for my favorite from this series thus far, I have to admit that the script for this episode is the best of the two. Sebastian Stan continues to be the most captivating character in this series to me. His portrayal of James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes has created my most heightened emotional connection. He is the crux of the story straddling between his history with Steve Rogers, Hydra, Isaiah Bradley, Sam Wilson (Falcon), Baron Zemo, his legacy as a Super Soldier and his relationship with The Wakandan Empire. It was a sheer joy to see this episode open with a flashback to T’Challa’s kingdom. It was all expected; even before Ayo (pronounced “Eye-Yo”), the second in command of The Dora Milaje appeared in the cliffhanger scene of Episode 3. Not only is Wakanda invested in seeking justice for the murder of their beloved King T’Chaka, one should remember that they are also the most powerful nation in the world at this point in time of Earth 616. The Wakandans perfected “the original Super Soldier serum” from The Heart Shaped Herb centuries before Abraham Erskine successfully transformed Steve Rogers into the original Captain America. Hidden from the rest of the world, they kept this power safe and with integrity; not only via The Black Panther, but as a nation.
Most readers have not yet been made privy to the book titled, The Wakanda Files: A Technological Exploration Of The Avengers And Beyond. It is a book that has been created as an addendum to Marvel Studios’ canon. In it, we see Wakanda’s Science Division research (code named Rhino Charge) through files of T’Challa’s sister, Princess Shuri. After the events of the Black Panther movie, all but one of the Heart Shaped Herb plants had been destroyed. Wakanda’s coveted & perfectly natural “super soldier serum” had all but been eliminated. We are shown Shuri’s research & interest in what she calls Erskine’s “Vita-Ray activated chicken soup”, as well as Arnim Zola’s suspected gamma activated serum used on Bucky. One could say that it is Wakanda’s imperium imperative to find an adequate substitute serum for the Heart Shaped Herb serum which puts them in the front of the arms race on that front. It should be noted that Falcon’s propulsion wings and A.I. Red Wing are part of Shuri’s files as well. Based on an image from the show’s trailer it is my theory that Wakanda will give Sam a well-deserved upgrade by season’s end.
Knowing that Bucky’s hippocampus (the region of the brain that controls emotion & memory) has been fried from the decades of Hydra’s torture (noted in Shuri’s files) not only makes me appreciate the character’s story arc more but his resilience & humility in the presence of Isaiah Bradley in Episode 2. This is just another reason that these two episodes are tied together for me. Although Ayo makes it clear that she is in Riga for Zemo, I can’t help but feel that she is there to keep and eye on Bucky too; maybe even to take him down if neccessary. Their exchange about The Winter Soldier programming being a “rotten fur”, Bucky’s explicit appreciation of Shuri & Ayo curing and giving him a new vibranium arm, and lastly his knowledge of the Wakandan language only make me want to see more of this in Black Panther 2 (which Winter Soldier creator, Ed Brubaker said began pre-production this week).
The script does well to keep the pace and intensity moving forward as Bucky returns to Sam & Zemo in Zemo’s hideout (that I presume is over a closed down or fake carpet store; I translated the awning in front). It is probably a front for whatever Zemo was really using this layer for. The layout is plush. The windows are a visual metaphor that gives the trio’s debate about Karli’s worthiness of redemption and the inherent implications of Multi-national Super Soldier programs throughout modern history thought & impact. You see, each star in the window could represent a nation’s attempt at creating a Super Soldier. Canada, Russia, Germany, America had programs, to name a few. The star seemed to be the symbol used for most successful attempts by a nation in the comics. The opacity of the glass is tinted; as in not clear. There is no absolute truth. Zemo believes that to aspire to be powerful is part of being a supremacist. His view on how all those stars are connected and lead from Nazi Germany to The Avengers and ultimately to the destruction of his beloved Sokovia via The Avenger’s creation, Ultron is a powerful stance that holds a lot of validity. Bucky’s interjection to point out that The Avengers are he & Sam’s friends is interesting as it was unnecessary. What is that line foreshadowing? Did Red Skull or Zola plant another failsafe program in Bucky’s mind? They were Nazi’s after all; no matter how you slice it, Bucky too.
As they speak to Steve Rogers’ incorruptibility, I think to his one flaw: blind loyalty. Could this debate foreshadow Hydra Captain America? The same discussion keeps feeding us more substance. Sam’s empathy for the death of Mama Donya’s inspires Zemo to secretly figure out how to find Karli. We never learn the name of his deceased son but based of the chain around his neck, I’m guessing not only does it start with an “A”, but we will learn more about Zemo’s family life in the future. The allusion from Zemo pertaining to Sam’s childhood memory, turkish delight candies and his pendant & chain is paid off the next time we see him, Bucky & Sam in the GRC Settlement Camp searching for Donya Madani’s memorial.
There is so much going on that most will not catch how showrunner, Malcom Spellman and director, Kari Skogland are setting up backstories to be told for multiple seasons forward. Upon entry to the camp, we immediately learn Zemo has history with this repurposed building as a child. Seeing as “childhood” is an underlying theme here, Zemo approaching the children of the camp (like a wolf) singing “Baa Baa Black Sheep” is a brilliant metaphor that ties the theme of racism & classism to the moment as well. I believe Zemo when he says that he knew Donya, as her character is being played by a notable actress in Veronica Falcón. I never believed that she was cast to only play dead. Logically, if Mama Donya is a pillar of the community then she would naturally have a history that goes back as far as Zemo’s. I am excited about the prospect of seeing her and Daniel Brühl’s characters exchange lines one day.
I have to believe that Zemo is having a moment of truth because he mentions how turkish delight is his dead son’s favorite but he also shows his ever present disdain & resentment for his would be captors in Sam & Bucky. Creating more mistrust & secrecy between the settlers & heroes in the same way Zemo told Oeznik, his man servant to feed the bad food to them is classic & pure.
Following this thread even more, Sam’s search for Donya through the building reveals how ingrained Karli’s movement is with these settlers. They are more than a family at this point; they are “a people”. I’m not sure if the “Teacher” with the children upstairs is the same man in the GRC poster but his explanation that the GRC is not keeping its word to help in indicting. The reality that they are a tight knit community that has created their own ‘imperium in imperio’ sets up the proper impact on Sam to further justify his understanding of Karli’s plight while condemning her actions. What would be your imperative be as a member of a people taken out of their homes and removed from their place in society only left to fend for themselves at best, or to be left for dead (like Mama Donya; she died from a preventable disease) at worst?
Once back at the layer with no leads, Bucky shows that his mind is still very sharp. The controlled anger he seems to be able to tap into shakes Zemo in a very funny way. Their stalemate is expected to continue. Do you think a Thunderbolts series is beginning right here?
The suggestions ad nauseam that Sharon Carter is The Power Broker are beginning to have an effect on the community. One can only be betrayed by someone you trust and there aren’t too many to trust in this story. Sharon seems to be fortified with soldiers in Lowtown, Madripoor. She is aware of The Power Broker’s reaction to current events. Her access to satellites is intriguing but if she is a Dryad like I suspect, it would explain a lot; even her interest in the serum. I truly can’t wait to see her truth revealed. The idea of prequel stories for The Daughters of Liberty, Zemo & Donya’s past, as well as Isaiah Bradley’s story (including his fight in Korea with Bucky) is enough to have my Disney+ subscription paid for the next two years outright.
The remaining Flag Smashers grouped up listening to news reports with looks of regret & fear contrast Karli’s resolve. Karli’s bombing of a GRC Supply Depot in Lithuania has backfired and given legislators ammunition to create The Patch Act, thereby recreating pre-existing borders and “patching” things back to the way they used to be even faster. I see a call back to Zemo’s book in prison, Fortune is a Raging River. Who is the Da Vinci to Karli’s Machiavelli? Her hand is being forced and she has to choose her imperative: Does she lay low and and let things die down or does she reinforce her army and escalate?
As expected, Karli chooses to escalate. She & Nico hiding what we assume are the remaining 12 vials of serum in Nico’s grandfather’s tomb was grim & eerie. I only count 7 vials at this point in time. Another possible prequel character is mentioned and given significance by Nico. Sharing his grandfather Lukasz’ story as a freedom fighter against the Nazis, being a Steve Roger’s fan and his admiration of Karli, made me think these two might have a future together. As expected, Karli chooses the serum as her instrument of change. What other choice does she have at this point? What is clear is that honoring Donya Madani takes precedence and that keeps the importance of Madani’s character in the back of our minds. Karli is shown to have some of the same reactions to Captain America’s legacy as Sam. Should Cap’s shield be destroyed? Is this just for this episode or to show how two victims of the same oppression can choose two completely different paths? How do we view these two characters when we realize that neither of them have truly changed anything?
Leave it to John Walker to make a rude entrance of the streets of Riga. All I could think was there was no way Sam & Bucky can deny being seen with Zemo now. Their only alibi is that they were working with Walker. Sam will continually try to check Walker but some people just have to to get hands laid on them to understand their limitations. LOL.
Zemo’s moment of transparency pays off and they make it to the memorial. Sam & Karli finally talk. You are made to think that things can get solved peacefully when good ‘ole Walker forces his way into the conversation again. Karli’s indictment of The GRC as supremacists makes me think. Her accusation of Walker being a Nazi made me pause. These are fast clues, but for what? While Karli escapes here, Zemo escapes there. If Karli had any doubts that she was in a war before they should be gone after Zemo shoots her. I’m still confused as to where Zemo got the gun though. I counted the vials that Karli dropped on the floor. Every vial counts when it comes to that kind of power; there are only 8 to 9 vials accounted for. They are all destroyed but one. Since Walker finds one, that leaves 3 to 4 vials unaccounted for. So where are the other vials of serum? Would Kari Skogland just leave a detail like that unchecked? Are we really supposed to assume the macguffin made from Blue Curaçao supposed to go unnoticed and taken for granted in such a careless way?
Walker’s character is no longer in question when he decides to keep the vial of serum from everyone; including his own partner. His selfishness and narcissism is on full display. That’s why it was a sheer delight when Walker’s sarcastic racism and sexism was smacked around by The Dora Milaje. I had a great time discussing how cool it was to see 3 African women manhandle 3 men and a baby. LMBO! Adding what we see from Walker, we know now that he didn’t take serum before (he wouldn’t have deliberated about taking another dose), and that he would most definitely be taking the serum he found as soon as possible.
I ran a poll asking who was more disrespected by The Dora Milaje. The majority of you said John Walker getting dog walked was the most disrespectful but I disagree. The intro scene to this episode set up an important connection between Bucky & Ayo. Bucky freeing Zemo was a slap in the face to Ayo, regardless of the reason. She basically called him a mingy mutt that she & Shuri cleaned up in the street. Then when Bucky tries to intervene and prevent her from starting a war with America, she pulls a Batman move and disables his cybernetic arm crippling him in front of everybody. Some seem to think that Ayo says, “Bast damn you, James” as she walks away from him. I got an exclusive response from writer, Malcolm Spellman that he intended Ayo to be speaking in Wakandan. Admittedly, people like us get writer’s amnesia so I won’t hold it against him if he is mistaken but the emotion from Ayo is the same even if the significance isn’t. Ayo has had enough of Bucky. LOL. She let him know that his salvation was nothing but a favor to Steve Rogers and the Wakandan Imperium Imperative would always supersede their goodwill & philanthropy. In other words, you ain’t that special James.
Walker’s walk of shame is definitely hilarious. Funny enough that I even caught his partner Lemar trying not to laugh while picking him up off of the floor. I really am kind of happy that we never had to see Natasha Romanov square off with Ayo in Civil War. That would’ve been ugly. Anyway, Zemo pulled an “El Chapo” and escapes in all the commotion. Typical Zemo. The hole in the floor makes me think I am right that the carpet store on the first floor is a front and he has a labyrinth downstairs. This is the last we see of Zemo (and the Dora) for the rest of this episode.
By keeping the fact that he has an actual Super Soldier vial from Lemar, Walker uses his partner’s dreams of making a difference as good enough reason to take the serum. This is actually the sign of a manipulator. When asking someone to help make a choice you should always be transparent; in my opinion. John isn’t the only one being manipulative though. Karli using fear tactics on an innocent like Sarah is beyond low. Her ability to justify anything she chooses to do gives Zemo’s opinion that she is getting worse validity.
As Sam and Bucky close in on her, she makes her plan to kill John Walker in cold blood evident. The action sequence here is one that has to be seen and not narrated. The continuous pounding on Battlestar is kind of sad. The reveal that Walker is now a Super Soldier is timed well. I am not of the mind that thinks Walker was completely wrong for his reaction to his attempted murder and the death of his best friend and partner. How would you react if someone tried to kill you but killed the person closest to you instead? And please believe that soldiers create bonds that are sometimes closer than the ones with their spouses due to their time in service and life threatening experiences in the field. If you can’t relate to having partner in arms, imagine that it was your spouse or parent. How would you react? This reaction is supposed to be the difference between the majority of us and Steve Rogers. This is why Sam doesn’t hesitate to say he would never take The Super Soldier Serum. This is also the reason why John Walker never deserved to be Captain America in the first place. I don’t think I can fault him, but I can’t say those actions are acceptable for the legacy set by Steve Rogers. Ya dig?
We are two-thirds through the first season and what a great experience so far! I do truly wish I could binge watch these shows as they come out, but having them to watch is still a treat. Karli has crossed the line and gotten another one of her people killed. She is not causing her desired effect and now has one less super soldier and faithful follower. Nico’s cries that it wasn’t him were disingenuous to me as he was gung-ho for the plan to kill John Walker from the beginning. His reactions were more of a child that was in over his head (Pardon the pun). Let me be clear, I do not condone the actions of a murderer. I am simply looking at the story from the most realistic point of view possible. The lengths that the characters will go to exact their will is what will set them apart in the end. According to Mr. Spellman, we have a surprise character making their debut in Episode 5. From what I have been able to gather, we have more than one surprise in store for us before the season’s over.
Did you enjoy Episode 4 or did you read this article first? Are you ready for what’s coming next? Was John Walker wrong for killing his would be co-murderer? What prequel stories would you like to see based on this episode alone? Comment here or on our Twitter page. Please subscribe here and follow our social media pages moving forward. This will automatically include you in free giveaways and share our upcoming plans. We apologize to all who look forward to our social media messages but those will be coming to an end sooner than later. The site is about to official launch soon and thanks to our friends at Disney, we will be sharing a different look. Thanks to all you special people that continue to support Everyone Loves A Good Story. This is just the beginning. Be well, be whole, be blessed Beloved. Manchild out!
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