The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has delivered plenty of surprises over the course of its first five episodes, but last week's cliffhanger ending set the stage for a sure to be unmissable finale.
There are some obvious beats we know are coming, including Sam Wilson's transformation into Captain America. Those aren't what you'll find here, though; instead, this feature makes a series of wild predictions about what may or may not play out in the episode a little less than 24 hours from now.
Marvel Studios knows how to surprise us (just look at WandaVision), so there's no doubt some moments we won't be able to call. However, these predictions are all likely for very different reasons, and you might just end up with your jaw on the floor when they become a reality this Friday!
You'll have fun with these, and once you're done, make sure to sound off with your own predictions.
6. Steve Rogers, Back On Ice
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has been deliberately vague with Steve Rogers' whereabouts, saying only that the former Captain America is "gone."
No one seems to know that he travelled back in time at the Avengers: Endgame, and it instead seems like the world is under the impression Steve was among those who died when Thanos attacked. The finale has to deliver some answers, but we don't think the Star Spangled Avenger has passed away from old age.
Instead, we're willing to bet that Steve has been put back on ice, potentially in Wakanda as Bucky once was.
This would preserve the hero for if and when he's ever needed, and could be an effort to stop anyone from accessing Cap's blood in a bid to recreate the Super Soldier Serum. On that note, what if the Power Broker has managed to kidnap Steve for that exact reason, unbeknownst to Sam and Bucky?
5. Power Broker Revealed
Power Broker is not a character we expected to see in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, but we haven't actually seen him yet. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is one candidate for that mystery villain, as is Sharon Carter, but we're not buying that.
Instead, we think the series is going back to Captain America: The Winter Soldier to revisit the concept of Arnim Zola pulling the strings from the shadows. After infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. on HYDRA's behalf, Zola died and transferred his consciousness into a computer.
Those were seemingly destroyed, but we'd put money on Zola escaping!
Assuming that's the case, then he could have quite easily established himself as the Power Broker in Madripoor, albeit with a robotic body that will make him a legitimate threat when the time comes for him to face the new Captain America.
4. Sharon Carter Is A Skrull
Secret Invasion is on the horizon, but there's really not much point to that series if some heavy-hitters from throughout the MCU haven't been replaced by Skrulls!
Sure, Nick Fury and Talos could team up to stop some of the villainous shape-shifters from finding their way into positions of power in government but, eh, that sounds kind of dull. Something is definitely up with Sharon, but it really wouldn't make a whole lot of sense for her to be working for the Power Broker...or to be the Power Broker!
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier ending with this reveal would be a very cool way to tease what comes next while establishing the concept of non-heroic Skrulls with viewers.
If Sharon gets that pardon, then the stage will be set for this unnamed Skrull to weasel their way into a position of power that could help her alien brothers and sisters increase their influence on Earth.
3. A New Falcon
In last Friday's penultimate episode, Sam Wilson left his damaged wings in the hands of his friend Joaquin Torres, a character who, in the comics, has recently suited up as a new Falcon.
It's possible this is just one of those people from the source material Marvel Studios has pulled out so they can use a name familiar to fans, and that we'll never see him again. However, we're predicting that there will be a post-credits scene or some sort of stinger with Torres taking flight in Sam's place.
As Captain America, Sam will still make use of his wings, but Torres taking the chance to follow in his friend's footsteps? Well, that could be too good an opportunity to miss.
We're not sure the MCU needs this Falcon, but there could be a place for this character in Armor Wars, especially if he takes those wings and creates a full-blown super-suit.
2. Bucky Behind Bars
While Sam Wilson's story arc is all about becoming the new Captain America, Bucky's has mostly revolved around him coming to terms with his past and finding a new place in the MCU.
We're betting he'll make amends with Yori in the finale, but how tragic would it be for his newfound lease on life to be cut short by the government? Remember, in Madripoor, plenty of people in that bar filmed Bucky attacking people alongside Zemo as "the Winter Soldier." There is an explanation, of course, but no proof he hasn't returned to his old ways.
Why put Bucky in prison? Well, the obvious answer is that it could lead to someone like "Thunderbolt" Ross forcing him to join a certain team of "criminals" who share his namesake.
You bet we're talking about the Thunderbolts, but there's also another team we think could assemble in the finale...
1. Dark Avengers Assemble
Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine may appear to be a likely candidate for Power Broker on the surface, but recent comments from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier producer Nate Moore have hinted that she's more like a shady Nick Fury than the MCU's latest big bad.
In the wake of Thanos' attack on Earth, it's clear people in positions of power are keen to do what they must to protect themselves (just look at Director Hayward in WandaVision and what he chose to use The Vision's remains for). Fontaine turning John Walker into U.S. Agent to head up her own team of Avengers makes perfect sense.
They might be called the Thunderbolts or dubbed the "Dark Avengers" by another character, but we can already imagine a roster made up of Walker, Yelena Belova, and a combination of villains who want to pose as heroes and heroes who believe they're doing the right thing by working with Fontaine.
If nothing else, expect to see U.S. Agent tomorrow...