This week's episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier wastes no time in introducing us to John Walker. Back in his high school locker room, both his wife, Olivia, and friend, Lemar Hoskins, share some encouraging words for the new Captain America before he's welcomed by an adoring crowd and the hosts of Good Morning America. It turns out he's not a super soldier, but tested off the charts for strength, fitness, and intelligence (he's also pretty great with the shield). A war hero - with THREE Medals of Honor - it seems like John is a great guy, but Bucky doesn't look too happy as he watches at home.
Confronting Sam about his decision not to wield the shield, Bucky ends up accompanying his fellow Avenger on a mission to track down the Flag-Smashers. Tension continues to build between the two unlikely allies as they track down members of this terrorist group, and upon discovering that they have a hostage, the duo leaps into action. Unfortunately, that's no hostage, and it's actually Erin Kellyman's Karli Morgenthau waiting in the wings for them. Like the rest of her crew, she's a super soldier, and they make short work of Sam and Bucky before the new Captain America arrives on the scene. Joined by Hoskins, whose code name is Battlestar, he too is ultimately defeated, but not before saving his friend. This new Captain America is definitely a hero!
Sam and Bucky don't really want anything to do with him, but accept a ride where they learn this Cap reports to the Global Repatriation Council (whose job it is to help those affected by The Blip). They eventually go their separate ways, while we learn that the Flag-Smashers have something huge planned for the next day...and there will be no going back afterwards.
Bucky suggest stealing the shield from Walker, but Sam points out that the last time they did that, Sharon Carter was branded enemy of the state and he and Steve Rogers were on the run for two years. The former Winter Soldier has an idea, though, and takes his ally to meet Isaiah Bradley. The old man was once given the super soldier serum and sent after the HYDRA assassin during the Korean War, and that fight actually saw him tear off half of Bucky's arm! However, after his mission, Isaiah ended up spending thirty years behind bars being experimented on, so he wants nothing to do with Sam or his old foe. As they leave, Sam and Bucky start arguing in the street when some cops arrive and, as you might expect, racially profile Sam. Upon realising that he's The Falcon, they stop, but this is an uncomfortable, timely moment. Bucky, however, is arrested because he missed his last therapy session.
Dr. Raynor tries to get the two men to settle their differences, and we learn why Bucky is so frustrated by Sam not accepting Steve's wish for him to become Captain America. After all, if Steve was wrong about Sam, it means he was wrong about Bucky too. John Walker bails them out, and we see his darker side when they reject his offer - again - to work together. The Flag-Smashers are attempting to escape with the vaccines they stole, and we learn the Power Broker's men are after them. Back in the states, Bucky and Sam realise they have only one choice: they need to see Zemo. As you might expect, he remains behind bars...