The Falcon and the Winter Soldier review: “The Whole World Is Watching”

“The Whole World is Watching” presents new challenges for the Falcon and the Winter Soldier as they deal with Wakandans, Zemo, and an erratic John Walker.

This week’s installment of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier sees Sam, Bucky and Zemo continue their search for the Flag Smashers. The opening flashback sequence in Wakanda fills in some gaps in Bucky’s story and is one of the highlights of the show so far. During his time in the MCU, Bucky has gone from brainwashed super-soldier to regular guy stranded in time, but we never saw his rehabilitation process in Wakanda, which was perhaps the most important part of that journey. Here, we see the moment when he is freed from HYDRA’s control.

It’s a great way to pay off our long-term investment in the character. This scene hits with a lot of power because we’ve known Bucky for years now, and the show doesn’t rush through it to get to an action sequence. We’re allowed to absorb how significant it is, for Bucky and for the MCU in general.

Sam Wilson, meanwhile, acts as the voice of reason among the core cast. There’s a great moment between him and Karli Morgenthau where they seem to be coming to a mutual understanding  about their conflict…until John Walker bursts in and ruins the moment. Walker can learn a thing or two about being a level-headed leader from Sam.

I liked how the episode gave us more time with Walker. He’s clearly overwhelmed by his responsibilities as the new Captain America as it’s messing with his head. He’s impatient, tired and quick-tempered. Wyatt Russell does an excellent job portraying Walker’s erratic behavior, turning him into a thrillingly unpredictable character. After the shocking cliffhanger, I’m eager to see where the show takes his character next.

Zemo takes a back seat to Sam, Bucky, and Walker, but he’s still looks for every opportunity to gain leverage over our heroes, which is entertaining. I think it’s a bit ridiculous how easily he got away when Sam, Bucky, Walker and the Wakandan soldiers are all in the same room together. Yes, they were all fighting each other, but didn’t someone think to keep an eye on one of the most dangerous criminals in the Marvel universe? Regardless, I’m intrigued with what Zemo’s next move is now that he’s on the loose.

If there’s something that disappointed me about the episode, it’s how little interaction Sam and Bucky had. Their chemistry is the best thing about the series, and the show does itself no favors by minimizing it. Hopefully the next episode corrects that.

“The Whole World Is Watching” has less action than usual to make room for character beats. What fights are here are quick and nail-biting. First, we get a tense chase between Karli and our heroes that ends with Zemo destroying almost all of the supersoldier serum vials that Karli had stolen. The final fight scene is intense and ends with the death of Walker’s friend Lemar Hoskins, which can’t be good for the spiral he’s currently in.

But the best action sequence involves Walker, Lamar and the Wakandan Dora Milaje in the hotel room. Set in a tight and enclosed space, the action feels personal and claustrophobic, with knives and spears getting way too close to the camera. Sam and Bucky narrowly save Walker and Lemar from the Dora Milaje. Aside from the ending, this was the most memorable scene this week.

We also get more philosophizing about Captain America and the ethics of creating supersoldiers. Zemo has an interesting line where he says that supersoldiers will always lead down a path of corruption. Bucky counters Zemo by saying that Steve was never corrupted, but Zemo has a comeback.. “But there has never been another Steve Rogers, has there?”

With hints that Walker might take the serum and his gruesome execution of the Flag Smasher at the end of the episode, this seems to be setting up a confrontation between Sam and Walker, and possibly Sam’ accepting his role as the new Captain America. The shield has ended up in the wrong hands and Sam may have to redeem it.

“The Whole World Is Watching” is an exciting entry that delved deeper into the characters while also providing heart-pounding action. Only two episodes left in the series! I’m excited to see where it takes Sam and Bucky, and how they deal with Walker’s fracturing psyche.

Grade: A

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