THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER Episode 6 Review; "Ushers In A Bold New Era Of Storytelling For The MCU"

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER Episode 6 Review; "Ushers In A Bold New Era Of Storytelling For The MCU"

The season finale of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier just hit Disney+, and we're now weighing in with our verdict on how the six-part series wraps up. Be warned, some spoilers for the episode follow...

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - Apr 23, 2021 02:04 AM EST

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has been a little inconsistent on a weekly basis (unlike WandaVision, it didn't have the same writer working on each instalment), but this finale definitely doesn't disappoint. Putting Sam Wilson's transformation into Captain America front and centre, "One World, One People" feels every bit as grand in scale as the big budget blockbusters set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with tonnes of impressive set pieces and flawless visual effects. However, those never overshadow the sort of character beats that continue to help single out this series as being more than just an action movie broken into six parts.

Crucially, the Flag Smashers feel a lot less directionless in the finale, and the way things play out for them is more believable as a result. With a more compelling reason for Sam and Bucky to pursue Karli and her group, the stakes feel that little bit higher, and help make this finale all the more thrilling. Malcolm Spellman and Josef Sawyer's script is a strong one, packing a lot into a short amount of time, never sacrificing or skimping on the moments we went into this episode hoping for. Most importantly, it makes us believe in Sam's new role in the MCU - as we've learned with John Walker, there's more to being Captain America than wielding the shield - and Bucky's redemption. Both characters now have a clean slate heading into Phase 4 and beyond, and while this Cap should be utilised on the big screen, a season two is surely now both inevitable and essential. 

As we've pointed out almost every week, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan are flawless with the work they deliver here, and both put so much into their performance that there are moments likely to bring you to tears. With a bigger platform to shine on, both actors are able to put everything into their respective characters, giving them the sort of heart and soul that left us fully invested in the story arcs of heroes like Steve Rogers and Tony Stark (the same can't always be said for the MCU's supporting players). Wyatt Russell is another highlight, and if you're not left wanting to see more from him...well, we don't know what to say. Erin Kellyman, meanwhile, really steps up in this finale, redeeming Karli to an extent, but not quite enough to elevate her beyond being one of the MCU's more forgettable big bads; of course, that's more down to how she's written than the Solo: A Star Wars Story star's work in front of the camera.

As mentioned, there are some huge action set pieces in this finale, all of which deliver the sort of visuals we're definitely not used to seeing on television. Marvel Studios is clearly spending a lot of money on these Disney+ shows, but as with the rest of this season, putting the focus on the characters at the heart of the story is what really makes the finale soar. With a strong, extremely relevant message at its core, the decision to explore Sam's path to becoming Captain America over the course of six episodes has been fully justified.

It could have just as easily been handled off-screen, but a movie would have likely only touched on some of the themes that are so perfectly explored in this episode in such a meaningful and substantial way (particularly with race and what it means to be a Black Captain America in the modern world). When Mackie is hopefully doing the rounds come awards season, the likes of the Emmys and Golden Globes have the perfect clip to share of the actor delivering a rousing, inspiring speech that makes the journey The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has taken us on 100% worth it. 

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier's finale ushers in a bold new era of storytelling for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an episode that sees Anthony Mackie firmly establish himself as the deserving new face of this shared world. 

34334q
Anthony Mackie Explains Why Starring In THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDER Was A Daunting Prospect
Related:

Anthony Mackie Explains Why Starring In THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDER Was A "Daunting" Prospect

THE FALCON & THE WINTER SOLDIER Deleted Scene Foreshadows Big SECRET INVASION Twist
Recommended For You:

THE FALCON & THE WINTER SOLDIER Deleted Scene Foreshadows Big SECRET INVASION Twist

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3 4
McMurdo
McMurdo - 4/23/2021, 2:50 AM
Copy and pasting this from the other article as I didn’t realize that wasn’t the review page. I’m a noob my bad.

Huge letdown of a finale. The writing just isn’t up to par. BUT OH MY GOD EPISODE 7 OF INVINCIBLE IS INSANE. THIS SHOW IS UNBELIEVABLE. IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER. Total pallet cleanser after the Falc finale. This might just be the greatest animated comic book related content of all time. Better yet, this show shits all over the majority of live action comic book movies/shows too. Like by a METRIC shit ton. This is not an exaggeration. if you aren’t watching this show you need to stop what you are doing and go on a bender. Episode 7 just blew my [frick]ing mind!!!
calino2212
calino2212 - 4/23/2021, 2:54 AM
@McMurdo - I agree the invicible episode was fantastic and probably the best episode of tv I've seen in 2021 yet.

But I completely disagree on your stance with Falcon and the winter soldier. I actually was kind of whelmed in the show before that finale, but after seeing that finale, I stand by saying it was the best disney + tv episode yet. It was just fantastic from start to finish, the twists were great. ANd they made Walker a fantastic character, I loved him choosing to save those people over vengeance. It was such a great moment. That finale was everything i wanted in the show. it was jsut a fantastic finish.
calino2212
calino2212 - 4/23/2021, 2:52 AM
I've got to say, that episode was probably the best of all the disney + shows.

It's maybe gonna be controversial but I said it.

And me who said first that falcon and the cinter soldier was good but nowhere near as good as the marvel netflix last week.*

Well I've got to say that episode was just pure joy, pure fun and the twists were great.

Also while I completely agree with falcon stance, they are still terrorists even if I understand where he was coming from with saying not to call them that.



And that wasn't even the best episode of the day, because I saw Invincible the 7th episode just before, and I might add that this was the best tv episode of 2021 yet. I don't think i've been so hyped for a show in a very long time. It was just fantastic from start to finish. This show is underrated on this site, still no article when it's one of the best superhero shows.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 4/23/2021, 2:54 AM
@calino2212 - what twists? Everyone knew Sharon was the broker. There wasn’t a single surprise in the entirety of this episode. I wish there was!
calino2212
calino2212 - 4/23/2021, 2:56 AM
@McMurdo - I didn't know.

I giess I'm dumb.

I also didn't think Agent walker would actually made that decision of saving the car full of people over vengeance. It was a fanatastic character arc for him after the show made you hate him so much.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 4/23/2021, 3:03 AM
@calino2212 - you’re not dumb. And nothing wrong with you loving the episode. I’m happy for you. Wish I did as well.
Vigor
Vigor - 4/23/2021, 3:05 AM
@McMurdo - the only twist to me was that Sharon is a skrull

I know I know they didn't explicitly show her changing to a skrull

They're saving those big reveals for the general audience, for secret invasion. We will get a casting announcement that she's in secret invasion any day now
1 2 3 4
View Recorder