Right so this was exactly the type of episode that had been missing for this entire season. This is the type of insanity, fun and sexiness that made me fall in love with this show in the first season, and that was severely lacking in this one thus far (the opera episode was a step in the right direction). The theme of death by fame and subsequent invisibility of the artist and the way they compared the romantic aspects of it to the negative sides of it - Amherst's black community's very real and very painful invisibility and lack of political voice - was brilliant. The party scenes at the barn were soooo good, Austin being able to see Emily was such a pleasing surprise (i'd love to read theories about it) and Wiz Khalifa (the king of Season 1) finally returning as Death was just the cherry on top.
Lastly, I'm a huge fan of the Emily x Sue relationship but I don't even mind that last scene because it's done SO well and I love Sue going completely crazy/reckless and showing a bit of a mean streak, my girl's been too complacent her entire life and Emily has clearly been dismissing her lately.
Ahhhhhh i’m so happy they are not shying away from the tough conversations on what it means to be Captain America in this decade. I love symbolism in storytelling and there’s no stronger symbol than that shield, and the way they have used it as a vehicle and representative of the different American identities (good and (really) bad) has been incredible.
Steve Rogers, John Walker, Sam Wilson and Isaiah Bradley all represent sides of the US that co-exist, and John Walker being the effective Captain America for most of this show isn’t accidental - he’s the side of America that’s most present and salient right now (in the world off the screen), but ending the show with Sam Wilson carrying that shield - and going through all the issues that that might bring up - is as powerful a message as any - one of hope and of what the US should aspire to be. Steve Rogers is no longer enough, Steve Rogers is the American Dream - Isaiah Bradley the American Reality - and Sam Wilson is both. This show, and all of Captain America’s storyline, is about so much more than just men in spandex and they’ve done a fantastic job taking it even further here. Glad Marvel is still delivering after so many years, makes me proud to be a fan!
SAM WILSON SIR...... HAND IN MARRIAGE PLEASE??????????????
okay so now that my proposal is out of the way (i love sam wilson), a couple of things:
kind of upset they killed Karli and gave that Walker asshole a semi redemption arc where he saves a bunch of people instead of getting revenge... it made me gag. I hate him (really do not care about that USAgent crap unless it's to write him off eventually). Even if Karli IS dead, the Flag Smashers storyline was surprisingly well done, they really gave them more voice and more respect than I thought they would. It is a very worthy cause and incredibly relevant as of right now, with the current migrant crisis - having Sam see the good in it and defend them in that incredible speech was pleasantly surprising. That was truly the highlight of the episode - when he told those powerful world leaders that the helplessness they felt against Thanos is the same helplessness the underprivileged feel against them every day... that HIT HARD (Anyone who's been paying attention knows Thanos was always the stand in for dictators and imperialists, but it's great that they've finally driven the point home). Anthony Mackie did a great job this whole season, Sam Wilson is the perfect Captain America (did I mention I love him?). Bucky took a little bit of a backseat which is totally fine, he's had more screentime in the films over the years, it feels balanced. Sebastian and Anthony's chemistry is undeniable, I hope we get a second season or a film cus they're too good to waste.
The Power Broker reveal... everyone and their mothers saw it coming, bit underwhelming. I'm interested to see what they do with Sharon's character now, she's incredibly hot as a rogue spy criminal boss lady.
Also, beyond Sam's speech, the scene with Isaiah at the museum sent chills all up my spine. This show is really important for the current moment we've living in. Marvel did great. PLEAAAASE give me a second season.
