The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Review: Truth (Season 1 Episode 5)

Falcon and The Winter Soldier has been a frustrating rollercoaster ride as it lobs storyline after storyline at us with no particular direction in mind.

The idea that The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Season 1 Episode 5, “Truth,” can tie every loose thread together in one hour seems implausible — maybe even insane. Yet, somehow, this ambitious episode does just that to become the season’s strongest installment yet.

This episode puts in the work and refocuses on the characters we came here for, all while finding room to let the story progress to a satisfying end. No character is left unturned, and for this criminal smorgasbord of a show, that is no small feat.

The tenacity, resilience, and heart displayed in these final hours prove this series has always been worthy of passing on Captain America’s legacy to the next generation.

Our Next Captain America

It has finally happened. Sam Wilson is our next Captain America.

As a dedicated Steve Rogers fan, I always thought I would be devastated to see the shield in someone else’s hands. But there is no bitterness or hesitation when it comes to Sam Wilson. He is everything Captain America needs to be, and his transition into the role couldn’t have been executed better.

Sam’s purpose has not been prioritized this season, and this episode looks to rectify that by putting his remarkable moral compass and depths of compassion on full display. He embodies every bit of the good Steve embodied but is also his own man.

Sam’s advice to Bucky once again demonstrates that he cannot be corrupted by the views of others, not even the worthiest Avenger.

When the world tells Sam to move, he has no problem standing his ground, and it’s frustrating Marvel is just now showcasing how remarkable a man he is — rather than the excellent soldier we know him to be.

Sam’s choice to accept the offer is followed by an epic training montage worthy of that legacy. The decision to show Sam in such a human moment of determination as he pours his sweat into wielding the shield puts his most outstanding characteristics on display for us to admire — and I’m not just talking about those arm muscles.

This episode strikes the appropriate balance between racial issues and authenticity by allowing Isaiah Bradley to speak his horrifying truth without interruption. This haunting performance from Carl Lumbly describes a man who mirrored Steve Rogers in every way, but his insubordination was never viewed as heroic.

Returning to Isaiah, not for guidance but reconciliation, is the smartest thing The Falcon and The Winter Soldier could do for Sam’s big Captain America moment.

Isaiah is a heartbreaking physical manifestation of the conflict that has kept Sam from accepting the shield, and his painful past acts as a necessary antithesis to the future Sam wants for his nephews.

A Black Captain America doesn’t change the injustices people of color face daily in the form of discrimination and police brutality. Yet, for a moment, Sam holds that shield in his hands, and we can’t help but feel at peace, knowing this moment can mean something.

We see it in the way Sam’s nephews trace their fingers over his shield and realize they could be Captain America one day.

His journey, while fictional, represents our desire to see good prevail — and if anything can inspire good, it’s Sam Wilson.

America’s Fall Guy

The showdown between Bucky, Sam, and Walker holds no punches and attacks with nauseating brutality we’ve yet to see the franchise so openly display. This isn’t the battle where we can root for the outcome because it comes at the cost of such devastating violence.

Ironically, in these genuinely uncomfortable moments, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has managed to do its best work.

Even the punishment of Walker becomes less about celebrating his demise and more about highlighting the people who put him in this position. Walker continues to be a valuable tool for the series, doubling down on an entirely American-made evil.

That said, this episode still spends a gracious amount of time fleshing out his story post-trial, giving Walker the courtesy of context when his role leading into the finale could not be more precise.

The fall of Walker continues to demonstrate what this series gets right with its layers of psychological and politically driven subtext. And what it gets wrong by humoring the villains a second too long when Mackie and Stan are chopping at the bit to elevate any material that comes their way.

The Friendship Montage

In one of this show’s finest moments, the story does away with its ridiculous criminal power struggles. It eases into a relaxed episode of boat-bonding montages, jazz music, and domestic bliss.

Bucky and Sam fixing a boat is not the usual heart-pounding, bone-snapping action these superhero projects promise. However, healing and honest moments of reflection are what this mini-series should be giving us. If we want to see Bucky and Sam fight, there’s plenty of that to watch in the films.

Allowing Stan to bring that softness to the surface of the soldier exterior and have Bucky exist in an environment where he can play to his charm and comedic physicality is magnificent. Mackie and Stan demonstrate how in tune they continue to be, bouncing reactions off each other between dialogue.

Bucky is flirting with Sarah while Sam is right there; Sam is rolling his eyes at Bucky’s show of super-strength; Bucky is watching children play with the shield. By gifting us an abundance of the interactions we have longed for, this montage comes off as priceless rather than cheap.

Bucky apologizes to Sam for not understanding the implications of giving a Black man the shield. Sam tapping into his counseling to encourage Bucky to make amends with his past is everything.

Awarding Bucky and Sam a conversation void of sarcastic remarks is the pinnacle of this episode’s work.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Has Arrived

Marvel is known for dropping jaws with its secretive cameos. But Julia Louis-Dreyfus becoming canon in the MCU? That’s one plot twist we couldn’t see coming if we tried.

The reveal that the woman standing before a defeated Walker in killer high-heels is none other than the Seinfeld comedy legend is downright gasp-inducing. Tom Hiddleston is headlining his show, yet the idea of Louis-Dreyfus joining this superhero franchise as a villain still doesn’t seem within reach.

Owen Wilson is time-traveling with Loki; Katheryn Hahn is singing iconic villain anthems, and Louis-Dreyfus is on her way to becoming the franchise’s next big villain. We cannot lose.

Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, or Val (as we may not call her), has one scene to make her pitch, and she uses every inch of the conversation to prove what a wicked force she is. Val tears into Walker’s ego, praising him for being the dumbest Captain America to hold the mantle.

Her slimy filibuster pitch has us wondering why it took Marvel this long to release the Dreyfus-Cut.

Get Ready For a Fight

Falcon and The Winter Soldier views this episode as an opportunity to bring closure to our leading men and the more outlandish storylines that have stunted their growth all season long. It’s a move that will prove crucial to the finale’s success — and the series.

By focusing on the human relationships that matter now, rather than throwing them in as a final sentiment later, we can go into the finale at peace with the fact that this big boss battle will not take away the imperative plot from Sam and Bucky.

The episode also finds a plausible way to realign all conflict towards the GRC council meeting in New York, putting every player on this board in a prime seat for the final stand. Logistically, this series couldn’t be in a better spot going into the last hour, thanks to the work of its penultimate episode.

By leaving the best for the end of the line, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier reassures us that this ending will not fail us and, more importantly, it will not fail its characters.

Thoughts & Other Theories:

• That Sharon/Batroc partnership is insane (and not the Canadian team-up I expected). Hopefully, Sharon enlisting him to help the Flagsmasher means she’s not the Power Broker and will not kill the Falcon!
• That said, villain Sharon teaming up with Madam Hydra would slap.
• Sam giving his wings over to Torres is so freaking cute. He couldn’t have picked a better wingman to be the next Falcon.
• This jam-packed episode reduces Zemo to an afterthought. However, having Zemo forgive Bucky and let him live in peace with his trenchcoat is nice. Daniel Brühl, we do not deserve your incredible talent.
• I appreciate the top-tier thirst traps the boat restoration and training montage brings to the table.
• Look at Walker with his Party City shield, thinking he’s hot trash.
• Bad guys who think you’re not bad, we’ve talked about this. No good can come from whispering your creepy catchphrase into people’s ears.
• Bucky gets to be in an environment with children where he can be loving and loved, but Sam’s nephews reclaim the shield as a symbol of hope and protection. This is some good superhero therapy.

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New episodes of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier air Fridays on Disney+.

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