Note: The second half of the article, the episode breakdown,  contains spoilers.

Non-spoiler review:

On March 19th Disney released the first episode of “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” streaming on Disney+. As a marvel fan, I was excited for the weekly release of “The Falcon and The Winter Solider,” although they could have added more episodes to keep the action going. It was a pleasant surprise for Disney and Marvel to return to their more action packed story telling, especially after the “Wandavision”  series.

The plot picks up after the end of “Avengers: Endgame,” in a world picking up the pieces from Thanos’ snap. Other than the Captain America movies, you do not need to have seen a lot of Marvel stories to fully enjoy the series. Since Falcon and Winter soldier never really got their point of view fleshed out in the movies, it felt good to see their stories played out.

In this series they kept the same edge-of-your-seat, battle-heavy action that keeps you wanting to see the next episode, which is what I like about Marvel. What I also like about the series is that it builds on a story of redeemable people, and makes you believe that everyone can change.

“The Falcon and The Winter Solider” came at the perfect time as it parallels many of the same problems we are currently facing. From its action to its storytelling, this is the series to watch as the school year is coming to a close, and that is why I give it a 9/10.

Episode Breakdown:

Episode 1 – New World Order:

As the first episode in the series it starts off slow to bring the audience up to speed on what the world is like after everyone comes back. This is also after Captain America, Steve Rogers, is gone, the Falcon has his shield, and the Winter Solider is left without his best/only friend. The falcon believes that it is best to give up the shield, which is a total mistake, because Captain America wanted him to have it and take his place. The Winter Soldier is in government-required therapy after the “Captain America: Civil War.”

Episode 2 – The Star-Spangled Man:

In this episode we get to see the replacement for Steve Rogers as Captain America, John Walker. John Walker (Wyatt Russel) is perfect as the government-issued replacement. This is also foreshadowing of the future as he is the Captain America they wanted, but not the one they needed. This episode was also the first sight of the new rebellion, the flag smashers. They did a good job at closing actors who looked like they were older teens and twenty-somethings, young and lost people trying to fight for what they need in the new world.

Episode 3 – Power Broker:

Madripoor is this dynamic megacity that is a safe haven for the flag smashers and the displaced people. It is nice to see the many levels of the crime filled city, like the high society owning the original paintings, and the common folks trading weapons. We have a return of Sharon Carter from “Captain America: The Winter Solider” movie, who moved to Madripoor after the socovia accords.

Episode 4 – The Whole World Is Watching:

The ending of this episode is what makes the series worth watching. It was something realistic to who John Walker was and who he became. I felt as if a modern day solider became Captain America he would have been stuck in a similar situation. Although it was surprising to see the new Captain America brutally kill someone, it really fits John Walker’s character.

Episode 5 – Truth:

After the surprise ending of the last episode, we see John Walker flee from the scene. With the whole world watching a mistake like that, especially after seeing your soldier in arms die, the new Captain America feels like an outcast in society. John Walker is not charged for brutal murder outside of U.S. soil, and was stripped of his duties as Captain America.

Episode 6 – One World, One People:

In this final episode we get the battle that completes this series. All of the major characters get their spotlight either in the fight or carrying out their own plans. To cap it off, no pun intended, we see the Falcon become Captain America. As Captain America he gives a big speech to the GRC/UN, with major ties to the problems we are facing in the real world, like why the flag smashers existed, and how they were not the true villains of the series. It also left it open ended, with the audience learning that Sharon Carter is the power broker.