Confession time. As a comics nerd for over 30 years, John Walker in his US Agent identity has been one of this writer’s favorite C+ tier superheroes. It was easy to be drawn to the same tragic dichotomy that Wyatt Russell (Lodge 49) had when he took the role. Although his trademark gruff and insensitive demeanor that plays perfect for a De Niro role (but definitely not Captain America material) is understandably left out of the MCU’s portrayal, Walker’s origin development seems to be similar … but reversed.
In the comics, John Walker really really wants to be a hero for what he feels is an ignored part of America. So much so that he goes to great lengths to become something that he thinks can be just that. This Walker, despite the “Captain America ordered off Wish” memes and the ones that pair his picture with typical micro-aggression quotes (as the posters may believe that he “looks like the kind to say that sort of thing,” maybe) isn’t in that boat. Rather, he has had greatness thrust upon him and the burden of that symbol has started to cause the first noticeable cracks. The flag waves the man as much as the man waves the flag.
In what might seem like a “filler” episode, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 3 finds Sam (Anthony Mackie, Outside the Wire) and Bucky (Sebastian Stan, Captain America: Civil War) almost as stumped as the new “Captain America” and his right hand, Battlestar (Clé Bennett, Jigsaw), are for leads in tracking down international terrorist and super-soldier serum recipient, Karli Morganthau (Erin Kellyman, Raised by Wolves). More accurately than “filler,” we’re going into Jason Bourne territory here. The one thing our protagonists have that Walker doesn’t? The anonymity of not going everywhere dressed as a flag and having a regretful past. Bucky, as the former Winter Soldier, knows that the serum was likely derived from Isaiah Bradley, that Hydra did experimentation on Isaiah, and that Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl, Inglorious Basterds) knows even more.
Keeping Sam in the dark, Bucky manages to get Zemo out of a prison cell and into their laps in a less-than-legal 48 Hrs-type scenario. A trip to Madripoor doesn’t lead us to any Easter eggs regarding a particular eye-patched bartender but does lead us to another reunion or two. Whereas Sam was pardoned for his stance in Captain America: Civil War, some non-Avengers weren’t so lucky and have grown a little bitter as a result. It’s an interesting contrast to see our hard-traveling heroes get reminded that, as bad as they’ve got it right now, some have been kicked harder by the combination of Steve Rogers’ loss, Civil War, and/or “The Blip.”
One of these people seems to have been Karli Morganthau who gets humanized by personal losses and direct rebellion against the presumably ineffective Global Repatriation Council … right before she reminds us how quickly righteous passion can turn to destructive fanaticism.
One of the biggest shifts in the 21st Marvel narrative was taking Captain America out of the flashy cape and costume set and involving him more in espionage, conspiracy, and special operations; more soldier than super. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 3 shows us just how to handle that in the MCU and that war isn’t always fought and won on a battlefield.
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