‘Falcon and Winter Soldier’ Finale Is MCU’s First “Rotten” Episode

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sam and bucky falcon and winter soldier finale

Credit: Marvel Studios

**SPOILERS For The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 6 Ahead**

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s six-episode run came to an end last night, with Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) finally taking up Cap’s shield and, with it, the mantle of Captain America.

sam (as captain america) and bucky backs
Credit: Marvel Studios

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The action-packed installment, “One World, One People”, saw Captain America and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) once again joined forces with Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) in a bid to take down the Flag Smashers, led by Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman).

Ultimately, it was revealed that the theory we all suspected — that Carter was, in fact, the Power Broker — was confirmed. Following a shootout with Batroc (Georges St. Pierre), Carter killed Morgenthau. What followed was a poignant scene between Sam and the young girl, who may not have been on such different sides after all.

captain america falcon and winter soldier carrying karli morgenthau's body
Credit: Marvel Studios

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Eventually, the episode came to a climax when Sam gave a goose bump-inducing monologue, beseeching members of the Global Repatriation Council (GRC) to “do better” for people around the globe following the Blip.

There were light moments, too, when Sam and Bucky returned to Sam’s home in Louisiana and celebrated with his sister, Sarah, and their close-knit hometown.

bucky barnes in therapy
Credit: Marvel Studios

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For his part, Bucky completed his goal of making amends with everyone in his book, ending his time in therapy.

The season finale ended with the return of Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis Dreyfus), who gave John Walker (Wyatt Russell) a brand new suit — and a new name, U.S. Agent. We clearly haven’t seen the last of either character in the MCU.

falcon winter soldier us agent
Credit: Marvel Studios

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Although fans on social media had a positive reaction to the season finale overall — especially the ending title card, which saw The Falcon and the Winter Soldier fade to Captain America and the Winter Soldier — critical reception has been less-than-stellar, particularly when compared to Marvel’s first streaming series, WandaVision.

Whereas the WandaVision finale, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany as Vision, has an 88% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s Season 1 finale is now the first episode in either series to receive a Rotten rating on the popular movie and TV review website.

falcon and winter soldier episode 6 sam and bucky with sarah
Credit: Marvel Studios

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Nonetheless, it seems like Marvel President Kevin Feige and his team may not be deterred from giving fans as Season 2 of Sam and Bucky’s adventures. The show was submitted under the “Drama” category for the Emmy Awards, indicating that it could be renewed for a second season.

falcon winter soldier
Credit: Marvel Studios

Related: Feige Says ‘Falcon and Winter Soldier’ Will Be Shorter Than Expected

Since we saw the duo’s final scene together with Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) in Avengers: Endgame (2019), the Marvel fan community has clamored for more of the unlikely partnership between the flamboyant Sam and stoic Bucky.

Now, it seems like we might get exactly what we want within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly since it was confirmed that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier creator and head writer Malcolm Spellman is working on Captain America 4.

captain winter soldier shield
Credit: Marvel Studios

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There is currently no word on whether other members of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier cast and crew, including director Kari Skogland and Sokovian villain, Zemo (Daniel Bruhl), will return for Captain America 4.

What do you think? Does last night’s Falcon and Winter Soldier finale deserve a Rotten rating?

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