The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Sam irons a shirt and prepares for the day, the shield of Captain America resting on his bed. He hears Steve's voice asking how the shield feels, and Sam answers that it feels like it belongs to someone else. The moment sets up Sam's struggle with taking up the mantle in a world that needs new heroes.

Falcon flies into hostile airspace to intervene in a hijacked plane and extract Captain Vasant. He uses Redwing to open a hatch and fights the terrorists, shielding himself with his wings as bullets fly. He retrieves the captain but the leader escapes amid the cliffs and border tensions.

In Tunisia, Torres notes a new group called the Flag Smashers and hints at a larger threat that could require new kinds of heroes. Sam and Torres discuss the implications of the group and the legacy of Captain America. Sam heads to Washington with the intel in hand.

In Washington, Sam offers a speech praising Steve Rogers and calls for new heroes for the present era. He places the shield on display in a Cap exhibit as official observers watch the moment. A photo of Bucky and Steve underscores the weight of the legacy.

Bucky attends therapy as part of his pardon, but he struggles to be honest about his nightmares. The doctor pushes him to foster relationships and confront his past, asking what he truly wants. He finally admits that what he desires is peace, though it remains unclear how to achieve it.

Sam travels to Delacroix, Louisiana, to visit his sister Sara and their nephews at the family seafood business. The business is struggling, and Sara contemplates selling the boat; Sam offers help, including a loan, but she declines. The visit highlights the personal costs of the blip era.

Bucky spends time with Yori Nakajima and their lunch together triggers memories of the people he killed. The conversation reveals the weight of his past as he recalls the dream of a guest and leaves without saying goodbye. The moment deepens Bucky's struggle with amends.

In Switzerland, Torres tracks the Flag Smashers to a major financial site as masked runners ambush the scene and flee with bags. Torres is knocked out in the chaos, underscoring the group's power and reach. The pursuit highlights the global threat they pose.

Zemo orchestrates the breakout of the Winter Soldier from custody, telling Sam and Bucky that he will assist only with their permission. The trio travels to Madripoor, a pirate sanctuary, where the Power Broker's influence looms and Selby holds key information. The plan marks a new turn in their pursuit of the supersoldier problem.

In Madripoor, Selby provides clues about Nagel’s work on the super-soldier serum. A sniper kills Selby during a call with Sam’s sister, and Sharon Carter reveals herself as an ally. The group presses on to find Nagel while avoiding death at every turn.

Nagel discusses the serum’s origins and HYDRA/CIA recruitment, but Zemo shoots him and a missile hits the secret lab. The facility explodes, and Zemo dons his purple Baron mask, while Sam, Bucky, and Sharon escape among the chaos. The serum’s fate becomes a priority for all involved.

Ayo and the Dora Milaje arrive to seize Zemo, sparking a tense confrontation. Zemo is taken into custody by Wakanda, while Sam, Bucky, and Sharon maneuver to stay free and continue their mission. The fallout reshapes the team’s dynamic moving forward.

Walker’s public attempt to justify a deadly shooting ignites a national outcry. He is stripped of the Captain America title in a private sentencing, with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine signaling a new, powerful role for him as US Agent. The moment marks a watershed shift in how heroes are judged and used.

Sam and Bucky confront Karli in a high-stakes showdown as the stakes rise for both the heroes and the civilians involved. Sharon shoots Batroc and Karli is mortally wounded by Sharon, dying in Sam's arms. Sam publicly addresses the crowd and asserts a new path for heroism, while the Flag Smashers are brought to justice.