Regret, Legacy, Nobility, Identity
Who we wish we were, who we can be and who we are.
“Who am I?” life’s most defining question. A theme as old as storytelling itself, and yet one everyone can relate to, no matter when or where you were born. When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we have explored this idea before; however, unlike our founding Avengers, the ones we follow today are left in shambles, cleaning up a mess that they did not create.
The events leading up to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier add a layer of complexity to the question we have yet to see in the MCU. This series is a return to form with its more grounded and earthly threats, and this is reflected in the internal conflict each of our main characters faces.
While some might shrug at the show's plot and setting, it is extremely refreshing to focus on the very human side of our heroes and their journeys. Whether it is our past, present, or future, we have all struggled with identity before, and together we will do our best to understand this next class of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, starting with Sam Wilson and James Buchannan Barnes.
What happens when no one cares about the soldier lost in time? Bucky Barnes is as tortured of a soul as it gets. Plagued by a past he could not control and constantly reminded by the world that it would be better off without him. His struggle with identity revolves around regret. He regrets the very fact that he is still alive because if he had died on that mountain during World War II, none of the heinous acts he committed would have come to be. He has accepted that his body committed these crimes but does not identify with the consciousness that occupied it at the time.
This sparks the pain and anguish he experiences on a daily basis. As he questions himself about being the monster Hydra turned him into; he becomes full of guilt he cannot understand. He remembers the horrible things he has done but knows he had no control over himself, so he has disassociated himself with his past, but if he knows he wasn’t in control, how can he feel guilt?
He believes that, just by feeling guilty, he is accepting he is a monster. What he has yet to realize is that feeling guilty is what makes him human. Without Steve by his side, this is very hard for Bucky to understand. He has been stripped of the one person who showed him compassion in this world he doesn’t belong in. His road to happiness will not be an easy one, but it is not for lack of trying, and what he needs most is a friend like Sam Wilson, a fellow soldier, yes, but someone who is much more.
Sam, on the other hand, is dealing with a much different identity crisis. Legacy is his curse, and we have learned that it has been looming over him ever since the passing of his father. There are some signs of regret in his story, such as leaving his little sister to fend for her own while he went off to the Air Force and again when he left her to run the family business alone so that he could become an Avenger.
He is also starting to regret what he thought was the right decision in giving up Captain America’s Shield, but these regrets are amplified by the burden of legacy bestowed upon him by the great men who came before him. For the Falcon, the problem lies in between who he wants to be and who the world needs him to be.
He wants to be like his father, protector, provider, and a beacon of hope and security for the ones he loves. The World needs him to be Captain America, and Sam mistakes this for thinking the world wants him to be Steve Rodgers. Since he knows no one ever could be Steve, he gives up the Shield and the mantle.
The irony in this tragedy is that in becoming Captain America, not only would he be the protector, provider, and beacon of hope and security for his family, but also his country and, to an extent, the whole world. With his sister's help, who is proving to him that she is more than capable, and Bucky, who knew Steve better than anyone, he will realize that he cannot fulfill Captain America’s legacy until he lets go of his Father’s. In doing so, he will become his own man, more capable and successful than he has ever been, and that will truly make his father proud.
Nobility is the final face of identity in the series, and it is best represented by our very controversial new Captain America, John Walker. A man who knows exactly who he is, confident in what he is capable of and what he believes in, he draws a huge juxtaposition to our two titular characters.
He may not have asked to be Captain America, but he knows that he will be a damn good one. He understands that he doesn’t need to be Steve Rogers; he just needs to be the best version of himself to do his part. This understanding eludes Sam and confuses Bucky, leading the two to become extremely unaccepting of him.
The downfall of John Walker will be his confidence turning into arrogance and his nobility becoming self-righteousness. There will come a time where he will think he is right when he is wrong, when he believes that his way of doing things is the only way because wielding that shield must mean that his personal qualities, high moral principles, and ideals are what everyone should adhere to. This will make him dangerous and definitely the wrong person to be Captain America.
We can develop a good understanding of why Sam Wilson will ultimately become Captain America between our three main characters. Bucky questions everything he does, which does hold him accountable for his actions, teaching himself the hard way about responsibility. Still, he also questions everything about himself, leading to a life of regret.
John questions nothing about himself or what he does, making him courageous but reckless and dangerous; this leads him to a life of false nobility.
Sam does question his actions but is also confident in them. Learning in a more positive way than the other two, his sense of responsibility and courageousness makes him the perfect person to continue Captain America's legacy.
This theme may seem simple at first glance, but it is very hard to convey in a compelling manner. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is hitting its stride heading into its third episode. Although the leader of the Flag Smashers and the group itself leaves a lot to be desired in the villain department, it is the very relatable and human struggle we are seeing our heroes go through that should keep viewers coming back every week.
