Gobbledygeek episode 437, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (feat. Michael Holland),” is available for listening or download right here, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcasts.
Paul, Arlo, and returning guest Michael Holland aren’t in Westview anymore. For its second TV series, the Marvel Cinematic Universe returns to more conventional superheroics. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the Captain America sequel we’ve been waiting for, filled with stellar action sequences, resonant character work, and a twisty-turny plot. The gang debates how well that last element works, but one thing they can all agree on: director Kari Skogland and head writer Malcolm Spellman do their cast justice, bringing depths to Sam and Bucky we haven’t gotten to see on the big screen. Other topics of discussion include just how relatable the Flag Smashers are, Madripoor’s splashy MCU debut, Sharon Carter’s heel turn, and how Wyatt Russell makes an insufferable character sufferable.
NEXT: he’s not exactly a falcon, but he is a weird little bird-boy. For the first Four-Color Flashback discussing manga, Paul and Arlo take a look at Inio Asano’s Goodnight Punpun: Vol. 1.
BREAKDOWN
- 00:00:44 – Intro / Guest
- 00:05:05 – Main Topic
- 02:05:00 – Outro / Next
LINKS
- Captain America’s Legacy Isn’t the Shield, It’s Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes by Jess Bacon, Inverse
- Falcon Watch: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Finale Reminds Us Why Steve Gave Sam the Shield by Rachel Leishman, The Mary Sue
- Marvel Has Big Plans for Julia Louis-Dreyfus by Joanna Robinson, Vanity Fair
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Shooting a Psychological Thriller About the Legacy of the Shield by Bill Desowitz, Indiewire
- The Falcon And The Winter Soldier’s Most Challenging Scenes To Film, According To The Cinematographer by Erik Swann, Cinemablend
- Carl Lumbly Defines What Makes a Good Captain America by Anthony Breznican, Vanity Fair
- The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: Emily VanCamp and Erin Kellyman on Sharon Carter’s Role as the Power Broker by Christine Dinh, Marvel.com
- Falcon and Winter Soldier: Baron Zemo Fixes Marvel’s Most Notorious Problem by Eric Francisco, Inverse
- Falcon and Winter Soldier Just Copied Watchmen’s Best and Most Brutal Idea by Eric Francisco, Inverse
MUSIC
- “Trouble Man” by Marvin Gaye, Trouble Man (Soundtrack) (1972)
- “Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller Band, Fly Like an Eagle (1976)
GOBBLEDYCARES
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- Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/
- Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
- Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/
- Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/
- Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/
- Register to vote: https://vote.gov/
Gobbledygeek 
I think you guys like this series just a tad more than I did. I loved all of the stuff with Sam, and his struggle with whether or not to take up the shield. But I do think the delays and changes due to the pandemic did more damage to the show, both in terms of pacing, but also some of the weirdly aborted storylines. As Arlo said, “underdone”.
I also feel like in the first few episodes it was more Anthony and Sebastion than Sam and Bucky. Especially when Sam was giving Bucky shit and that odd scene with the therapist. What was that? It gave us a great moment, but everything leading up to it felt like Lethal Weapon cosplay.
I did like the Russel kid (I just forgot his first name! Wow. I suck.) But I also think they failed to accomplish what they think they did with his character. And the problems with the weird sudden turn at the end between him and Bucky could have been avoided if they simply had Walker walk away right after Sam’s speech. He had his moment, trying to save the people in the van. But after listening to Sam he knows who the real Cap is. He leaves. No banter. Even if it was Bucky giving him shit. But also, if they had more time maybe we could have found out that the decisions that got him the Medal of Honor included choosing to let civilians die in order to stay on task making his choice to abandon trying to kill Karli in favor of trying to save the people in the van more value to us.
I didn’t like what they did with Sharon, because it again feels out of left field. (Just like that stupid kiss in Civil War.) But my new headcanon is that she’s always been on her own side. I mean, we see her conferring with Pierce just before he interrogates Steve. And Rumlow’s comment to her could have been him saying her switching sides was the wrong choice, etc. And there’s a fan theory that she was Zemo’s inside person. (He might not even know it was her, actually.) Because without her help, his plan was not as guaranteed as they made it seem… But the question is if she’s been working for herself or someone else this entire time: why? How could she betray Peggy like that!?
And I don’t care what Disney says, Agent Carter is canon. Mr. Jarvis being in Infinity War proves it. Because if they try doubling down on the clumsy writing in IW that Steve was completing a time loop I will flip things.
PS This is NYPinTA. I keep losing my WordPress password.