The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 1: "New World Order" Review

 

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

So here we have it the second Disney + MCU based original series this time focusing on Sam Wilson (The Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (The Winter Solder). We were treated in WandaVision to a emotional look at distress and the process of grief building up in Wanda since her introduction to the MCU, but this latest series continues to explore the post “blip” world following Sam and Bucky as they try to find their place in the world they vanished from five years ago and a world without Steve Rogers.

Whilst this is a series following the two individuals the first actual episode sees the two heroes living their own separate lives with Sam working on missions with the government and Bucky trying to make amends from his previous life as The Winter Soldier. The first episode in the series does a good job at setting up their lives after the “blip” and what the world looks like to them and whilst we don’t get any interaction between the two character just yet and the chemistry they have on screen which was seen in the trailers, the episode does a good job at taking a step back, allowing these characters to live in the world before they are thrown together during the rest of the series.

The episode itself gives a good balance of fast paced action involving Sam on a rescue mission showcasing classic MCU action but on the smaller screen. It is great to see these series for Disney + are getting a budget that allows them to compete with the MCU films to quiet moments of character development and exploration not just involving Bucky trying to make amends for his past life and how he is coping as a civilian and his own mental health, but also in terms of Sam introduces Sam’s sister and nephews into the MCU and explores more about Sam’s family past in the fishing industry. Whilst the films show case these heroes in heroic moments the Disney + shows allow us as the audience to truly get to know these characters in a far more detailed way then any of the previous films could capture.

The episode of course was full of references and a cameo from War Machine, but it is the ending of the episode which introduces a new character to the MCU in the form of the “new” Captain America John Walker aka US Agent in the Marvel Comics. Now after Sam gives up the shield the government doesn’t waste any time and introduces the world to the John Walker as Captain America carrying the shield forward into a new era of heroes. Now this raises a lot of questions moving forward around Walkers intentions, Steve’s legacy and whether Sam will try and take back the shield and take on the mantle of Captain America.

For a first episode it manged to set up the post “blip” world well whilst started to give us an insight into the lives of Sam and Bucky before they team up during the rest of the series. It will be interesting to see what role John Walker has to play and what Baron Zemo’s role will be moving forward but if the first episode is anything to go by then we are in for an action pack treat.

Verdict: 4 / 5 stars