Marvel Studio’s “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” S1E2: Maggie’s Review

Streaming now on Disney+ is Episode 2 of “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” entitled “The Star-Spangled Man.” Following the reveal at the end of the premiere that the a new Captain America was chosen to take up the shield, this episode deals with the fallout as Bucky (Sebastian Stan) confronts Sam (Anthony Mackie) about his decision to give up the shield and they travel to Munich to investigate the Flag Smashers. Along the way they butt heads with the new Captain America (Wyatt Russel) and Battlestar (Clé Bennett), discover that Bucky isn’t the only Super Soldier, and do some couples’ counseling.

After the exposition heavy first episode, “The Star-Spangled Man” settles into the rhythm of the show. Stan and Mackie have an excellent dynamic, easily fitting in banter about the tropes of the MCU (the Big Three: Aliens, Androids and Wizards) in between the tenser moments. The new Captain America, John Walker, debuts in the show as a mix of over-confident, awkward and suspicious, leaving the audience unsure if he will be a friendly nuisance to Sam and Bucky’s mission, or something more sinister. “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” also does not shy away from topics like race and policing, and, given that the “Big Bad” of the show are geopolitical terrorists stealing supplies for refugee camps, isn’t afraid to dive into the gray areas between heroes and villains.