IR TV Review: THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER - EPISODE 1 [Disney+]

The essence of character study has to do normally with the path of psychology but in a post "Endgame" world, the mental state of certain heroes, especially in the Marvel Universe, real or imagined in an interesting path to walk. In Episode 1 of "The Falcon And The Winter Soldier", the aspect of moving on is an interesting diatribe both in what these characters are willing to be and what they are trying to forget. The episode travels concurrently, at least here, with the path of Bucky and Sam seeing their lives as they are now. Both have expectations and demons they are trying to face. Whereas "Wandavision" looked at dealing with grief, this series, at least at the inset, is more about identity after some luminaries have left (specifically here Steve Rogers). The series opens with a intense battle reminiscent of the biggest of Marvel movies before it settles back in to setting up the story it wants to tell. It needs to do this to limit expectations but also show where these guys are. One would expect "Hawkeye" and "Loki" will do so in different and similar ways. interestingly enough the episode does dip into mental health, terrorism and racial profiling which is compelling stuff while it needs to show the places these characters exist i. What is key is balancing the aspect of humanity and positivity in an increasing dark world. Where "The Falcon And The Winter Soldier" moves from this set up is unknown but a larger foe is obviously out there, whether internal external. B+

By Tim Wassberg