The Falcon and the Winter Soldier launched on Friday to unprecedented popularity, marking the highest-viewed Disney+ premiere yet. The episode was filled with some amazing moments, from blockbuster action spectacles to surprise character returns, setting up an amazing five episodes that remain.
However, the episode was criticized by many for its slow start to the story as it mainly focussed on setting up the post-Endgame story for both Sam and Bucky, with the two not even interacting in the premier.
Fortunately, it seems like there's plenty more action to come for the duo. This is proven by recently released several new stills from the Disney+ series that provide a better look at some of the premiere's more spoilery moments, along with teases of what's to come.
NEW LOOKS AT FUTURE THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER EPISODES
Disney has released ten new stills from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, offering new looks at the remaining episodes along with highlighting some key scenes of the series premiere.
The first episode opened with the return of Georges St‑Pierre as Batroc in an epic fight sequence with Anthony Mackie's Falcon. One of the newly released stills provides a close-up look at the villain in his comic Batroc the Leaper-inspired outfit.
One of the biggest surprises to come out of the premiere was the return of Don Cheadle as Colonel James Rhodes, the infamous Iron Man sidekick War Machine. The Avenger appeared during Sam's speech in military uniform, going on to have a heart-to-heart conversation with Wilson regarding the Captain America mantle.
For the first time in the MCU, the first episode of the Disney+ series delved into the financial struggles of being a superhero, exploring the financial difficulties Sam and his sister have been facing. The writers took a clever comedic spin on this with a superhero fanboy financial adviser, who repeatedly asked Sam about his superhero lifestyle whilst the Avenger struggled with his family's crumbling finances.
It had been previously speculated by many that Bucky Barnes' romantic life may play a role in the series. The first episode seemed to add some credence to those theories as the former HYDRA mercenary went to a local bar, in which he enjoyed a date with the bartender.
Despite the title of the series including both The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the two never met during the debut installment. However, some of the newly-released stills come from the later episodes, and one image featured the two finally teamed up in civilian clothing.
Another still once again shows the two together, but in a drastically different countryside location and kitted-out in superhero attire, seemingly ready for action. Given both shots show very different backgrounds and outfits for the pair, it's likely they come from different episodes.
While Sam Wilson experienced a blockbuster action sequence in the opening of the first episode, Bucky was left out of the action throughout the first entry. But it likely won't be long before Barnes joins the fight, as a still shows him clinging on to the underside of a moving truck.
Another image shows the Winter Soldier grabbing onto the front of the truck by his bionic arm. The angry stare on his face would seem to indicate he is directly facing the antagonists in this shot, which will likely be the villainous Flag Smashes group.
Yet another Captain America side-character set to return in the series is Emily Van Camp's Sharon Carter. Agent 13 is set to be on the run from an unknown threat when she's first introduced, but she will seemingly still meet up with Sam Wilson for help as the pair are shown here surrounded by a group of cargo crates.
Lastly, Disney teased fans with a look at the MCU's comic-accurate Baron Zemo, finally equipped with his iconic mask. Daniel Bruhl's Sokovian villain is surrounded by fire in the still, along with a cargo crate visible in the background, likely indicating both Sam and Sharon will be present during this scene.
A MARVEL BLOCKBUSTER IN SERIES FORM
If the first episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showed fans anything, it's that they've only seen a taste of what's to come. So many of the biggest scenes shown in the trailers and various clips are still to come, and these stills prove viewers are in for an epic ride.
Both heroes were given a chance to enjoy the action spotlight in the episode with Falcon's aerial fight sequence and Bucky's Winter Soldier flashback scene. However, both also experienced some deeper emotional moments as the longer run time offered writers a chance to finally dive into the minds of the two heroes.
Old friends like Sharon Carter are yet to make their debut, and there has yet to be a sign of any key villains in the Flag Smashers or Baron Zemo.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will continue this Friday with its second episode, exclusively on Disney+.
