This review contains spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 6
After five intense, action-packed episodes, the first season of Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier came to an end with its sixth episode, "One World, One People." The show delivered an exciting and overall satisfying finale, one that wrapped up most of the major plot points while opening up new doors and new possibilities for characters and storylines in the MCU.
The finale was heavy on the action, but not to the detriment of the story at all. It still made time to bring in some humor, big statements, and moving and emotional moments. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale featured spectacular performances from the entire cast, with Anthony Mackie being the stand-out, and the movement, if not the conclusion, of many character arcs.
Sharon Carter is brought back into the action, coming back to the U.S. to help Bucky and Sam fight the Flag-Smashers. Sharon provides one of the big reveals of the episode when in a standoff with Karli and French criminal Batroc, she is revealed to be the mysterious Power Broker. Neither Bucky nor Sam are present for the reveal, so her identity remains a mystery to the lead characters, but not to the audience. Sharon is pardoned by the government in the mid-credits scene and offered a job in her old division, which she accepts. Despite this, she is seen on the phone with someone after the pardon, saying, "We're about to have full access to government secrets, prototype weapons, you name it. Should be something for everyone." While it hasn't been revealed yet why Sharon became the Power Broker, it's clear that there will be more of her going forward.
Meanwhile, John Walker sees somewhat of a redemption in this episode. He comes to fight the Flag-Smashers with his homemade shield and suit, furious with Karli for killing Lemar, and even more furious when she tells him she didn't mean to kill him because she only wants to kill people who matter to her cause.
At one point during their anger-driven fight, Karli drives off in a van full of hostages, only to almost run them off a highway while leaping out of the car herself. John chooses to try and save the hostages, dropping the shield in the process, instead of going after Karli, returning to making the right decisions in battle that Lemar previously praised him for. While Sam ends up saving the truck in the end, John remains one of the "good guys," fighting the Flag-Smashers alongside Bucky. After the fighting is over, it's revealed that Contessa Valentina contacted John again, and she brought him a new black suit. "Things are about to get weird," she says, "and when they do, we won't need a Captain America, we'll need a U.S Agent." U.S. Agent is who John Walker becomes in the comics, although not usually a good guy.
Karli's story, on the other hand, seems to have come to an end in the MCU. Many of her Flag-Smashers appear disillusioned with her in this episode, as she proves her willingness to sacrifice hostages for what she views as the greater good. Sam continues to try and be understanding of Karli and her cause, trying to get through to her even while they are fighting. When Sharon eventually shoots Karli, Sam holds her in his arms as she dies, clearly wishing things could have gone differently for her. There is a beautiful shot of Sam flying down to the ground with Karli in his arms, backlit by spotlights, looking like an angel bringing her to rest.
Bucky continues his journey to find redemption in this episode. Sebastian Stan makes many great subtle acting choices, such as his expression of surprise and gratitude when a GRC hostage thanks him for saving them. Much of the episode is taken up by him fighting the Flagsmashers, where he is even willing to work alongside John Walker after his turn. After the fight, Bucky returns to his friend Yori, and finally admits to him that it was him as the Winter Soldier who killed his son. Although clearly a difficult conversation, it's a massive step for Bucky to be able to do this. He leaves his notebook with the names of people he needed to make amends with to his therapist, with all the names now crossed off. The end of the episode shows Bucky at a cookout in the Wilsons' neighborhood, laughing, playing with the kids, and enjoying spending time with people he can now consider friends and family.
Of course, it is Sam Wilson who is really the star of the episode from the moment the audience gets a full view of his new Captain America suit; recognizable as Captain America, but also as himself with full Falcon wings. He proves himself as not only a good fighter, but a smart one, such as when he contacts one of the hostages who has flight experience in a chopper full of GRC members so that she can take over the controls after Sam takes out the Flag-Smasher pilot. He also proves that he is not willing to simply bow down to the government. Anthony Mackie shines as he gives a powerful speech to the GRC after defeating the Flag-Smashers, criticizing them for their actions, and standing his ground as a "black man carrying the stars and stripes." His speech is broadcast live--with Torres, Sarah Wilson, and Isaiah and Elijah Bradley shown watching.
One of the most emotional moments of the episode, and of the series as a whole, comes when Sam goes to visit Isaiah and Elijah Bradley and brings them to the Captain America Museum. There he reveals a section, including a statue and full plaque, dedicated to Isaiah Bradley, so that no one will forget his story. It's a beautiful moment, and the viewer can really feel the depth of what it means to Isaiah. Elijah's inclusion in the moment could hint at where he could get the inspiration to become Patriot--one of the Young Avengers--later in the MCU.
"One World, One People" comes full circle in many ways, from Zemo shown at the Raft smiling after orchestrating the death of several Flag-Smashers, to the repeat of the moon conspiracy that Torres mentioned in episode one. But by far one of the most satisfying concluding moments comes right at the end, when the final title card reads, "Captain America and the Winter Soldier." After giving up the shield in episode one, thinking he wasn't right for the part, Sam has finally taken on the title, in all ways. This finale opens up so many possibilities as to what could happen for him, and for the other characters, next.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is now streaming on Disney Plus.