Nowadays, a good television show is not always defined by its main characters. Sometimes as a supporting act, one character can change the game. Baron Zemo strolled into the third episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has given the show a jolt of swag. Once again, Zemo gets what he wants without having to get physical with an Avenger. Sam and Bucky need him. Plus, Barnes is desperate to atone for his prior sins that he breaks Zemo out. This episode is Daniel Brühl shooting from half-court like he’s Steph Curry.
As they’re going to Madripoor, we get a call back to Captain America Winter Soldier, when Sam and Zemo are ribbing Bucky for not liking the Troubleman soundtrack. We get the iconic line from the Baron that even Sam ends up agreeing to:
It’s a masterpiece, James. Complete. Comprehensive. It captures the African American experience.
Even in an episode filled to the brim with action and Sharon Carter’s return, Zemo was the main event. He revealed himself to be a Baron embracing his comic origins. We even see him don the purple mask that the iconic villain wore in the comics. Not just that, Zemo is rich with a collection of classic cars and a private plane. We get a hilarious scene of him dancing in the club like no one is watching. We have to say that it is villainy you have to respect. There is no doubt that he’ll betray Sam and Bucky, and we cannot wait to see it happen.
Later, as the crew catches up to Wilfred Nagel, who is the creator of the new super-soldier serum, we know Zemo will probably try and kill the scientist. Zemo still hates the idea of powered individuals. True to form, the Baron shoots Nagel after the mad scientist reveals his work. Even with that happening, our heroes have no time to reprimand Zemo as bounty hunters from all over are coming for them. He provides the shots to get the squad free and the getaway car to freedom. His appearance gets summed up by the end of the episode, as Ayo of the Dora Milaje reveals she is here for him.
Baron Zemo provides both humor and zest. One can only wonder how much chaos Zemo will cause going forward. It opens up some questions regarding the next three episodes:
- When is John Walker going to snap? We only briefly see John and Lemar hot on the tail of the Flag Smashers. The new Captain America gets all hot and bothered when he didn’t get answers. That dark turn is coming soon.
- Is Sharon working for someone? Sharon has another agenda going on as she speaks to someone on the phone regarding Sam and Bucky. Is she involved with the power broker, or is she the power broker? One has to wonder.
- Did Karli Morgenthau just break bad? There was a sense earlier that Karli & co. were freedom fighters with a worthy cause. After their actions in episode three of blowing up and killing guards, how far are they willing to go to achieve their goal?
- What is Zemo’s master plan? He states that he is looking forward to coming face-to-face with Karli. One has to assume Zemo wants all of these super soldiers dead. How does he get that job done? The Machiavellian Baron has to be up to no good for anyone involved but his ends.
- Is Sam going to get a better handle on things? This episode felt like more of a backseat for Sam, literally. He drank some snake guts and dressed like a pimp. So, let us hope he has some more substantial scenes and moments next week.
