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How ‘Swarm’ Ep 6 Sets Up the Show’s Endgame
Marvel’s ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ series is reaching its climax, as the sixth episode titled ‘One World, One People’ airs on Disney+ on April 23, 2021. This episode follows the events of the previous one, ‘Truth’, which revealed the surprising and controversial new Captain America, John Walker, as a violent and unstable killer. It also showed the reunion and resolution of the main heroes, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, who teamed up to stop the Flag Smashers, a radical group that sought to restore the world as it was during the Blip, the five-year period in which half of humanity was erased and then restored by the Avengers.
In ‘Swarm’, the penultimate episode of the series, the stakes are raised even higher as the Flag Smashers launch their final attack on the Global Repatriation Council (GRC), the organization that oversees the resettlement of the displaced people and the restoration of order after the Blip. Led by Karli Morgenthau, the Flag Smashers break into the GRC’s building in New York City and take hostages, including many politicians and diplomats. They demand that the GRC abolish the resettlement plan and listen to the voices of the people they claim to represent. They also reveal their ultimate plan: to use a super-soldier serum to empower more people like themselves and create a new world order that challenges the existing power structures and borders.
Meanwhile, Sam and Bucky try to stop the Flag Smashers from causing more harm and destruction, aided by Sharon Carter, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who has been living as a fugitive in Madripoor. Sharon reveals that she has a connection to the Power Broker, the mysterious figure who has been responsible for the creation and distribution of the super-soldier serum. She also reveals her true identity to Sam and Bucky, who are shocked and appalled by her actions. Sharon helps them sneak into the GRC’s building and confront Karli, who is conflicted by her own ideals and her loyalty to her comrades. Sam tries to reason with her, telling her that violence is not the answer, and that they can find a peaceful and just solution to the problems that exist. Bucky fights off the Flag Smashers, using his skills and his vibranium arm to defend the hostages and take down the terrorists. When Karli tries to escape, Sharon shoots her, and she dies in Sam’s arms.
The episode ends with several key moments that set up the show’s endgame. Here are some of them:
1. Sam, dressed in a new Captain America suit and wielding a shield made of vibranium wings, emerges from the GRC’s building and flies to the scene of the fight, where he is greeted by the audience with applause and awe. This is an iconic and powerful image that symbolizes Sam’s transformation from a reluctant hero to a confident and inspiring leader. Sam’s costume also pays homage to the comics, where he becomes Captain America after Steve Rogers retires.
2. Sam gives a speech to the world, broadcast live, in which he denounces the violence and extremism of the Flag Smashers, but also acknowledges their grievances and their need for representation. He calls for unity, compassion, and empathy, and urges people to listen to each other, to understand their differences and similarities, and to work together for a better future. Sam’s speech echoes the themes and messages of the series, which explore the complex issues of race, class, nationality, and trauma.
3. Bucky confronts Zemo, the former villain who has been manipulating the super-soldier serum plot from prison, and tells him that he has completed his mission to eliminate the remaining serum vials. Zemo, however, points out that the serum has already been leaked and that anyone who takes it could become a dangerous weapon. Zemo then smirks and gets shot by a Dora Milaje member, signaling the consequences of his actions and the influence of Wakanda in the series.
4. Sharon talks to an unknown person on the phone and reveals that she has access to all kinds of government secrets and weapons, thanks to her new position as a GRC insider. She also says that she has done everything necessary to get what she wants, hinting at her hidden agenda and her true allegiances. The scene raises many questions about Sharon’s role in the series, and whether she is a hero, a villain, or something in between.
5. The mid-credits scene shows John Walker, now stripped of his Captain America title and honorably discharged from the military, making his own shield with his medals and other materials. Walker seems to be on a path of redemption and revenge, as he says “I’m back” and the image fades to black. This scene confirms that Walker will play a role in the final episode, and that he has accepted his new identity as U.S. Agent, a character from the comics who is more antiheroic and independent than Captain America.
Overall, ‘Swarm’ is a thrilling and intense episode that showcases the talents of the cast and crew of the series. It also sets up the endgame, which promises to be even more epic and emotional. The series has already subverted expectations and challenged the status quo of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it seems poised to deliver a conclusion that is equally bold and satisfying. As Sam says, “We have to do better”, and this series is doing its best to do just that.
