The Falcon and the Winter Soldier capped off its six-week run on Disney Plus with a finale that tied all the loose ends the series had up to this point, so in very non-MCU fashion it really didn’t have to go all out with any crazy post-credits scenes. It did, however, introduce a few characters that will definitely be sticking around for Phase Four and possibly beyond.
It so happens to be that the series’ leading heroes, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, actually got somewhat predictable -though no less fulfilling- character arcs, and instead, it’s the antagonists who ended up being shrouded in mystery to the point that it’s actually quite hard to make out what kind of role they’ll be playing in upcoming projects.
While the idealistic Flag-Smashers ended up on the receiving end of the MCU's usual treatment for its villains thanks to Baron Zemo's final gambit, the rest of the supporting cast has a bright future ahead of them. For John “U.S. Agent” Walker, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and Sharon “The Power Broker” Carter, their somewhat vague and chameleonic comic book origins open a pandora's box full of potential surprises; and, in the case of the latter, her role is almost entirely new. Despite that, the show’s build-up does leave some important clues to each one’s motivations.
U.S. Agent
Surprisingly, Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent might actually be more mentally fit than comic book John Walker. Even after years of military deployment, the death of his best friend, and having everything taken away from him, this Walker remains far more relatable than his print version. To start things off, the MCU gave this Walker a firecracker of a wife that’s there from the start to keep him more focused, he has someone to care for and that takes care of him.
It's possible that the reason why writer Malcolm Spellman opted out of Walker’s Super Patriot origins was precisely to ditch the character’s selfish quest for power and instead turn him into a symbol for military PTSD. His discharge from the army and fragile psyche mean Walker is neither good nor bad. He can go anywhere from erratic to heroic and it’s here where he does fall back in line with the U.S. Agent persona.
That moment when he passes on the chance to avenge Lamar’s death and focuses on saving the van full of hostages is what makes him a redeemable -although unreliable- antihero. That’s the reason why Sam nods at him the way he does, it’s a way of acknowledging his contribution, but also to keep him at arm’s length just like the Avengers do when he gets tacked onto them in the comics.
The key thing to remember here is Walker’s reaction when getting his new U.S. Agent gear: he’s excited, happy, and wholly thrilled to get another chance serving the way he’s done so for most of his life. His new boss knows what to expect from him, so it makes him perfect for the kind of job she might have in mind and she might actually be able to hook him up with a fitting U.S. Agent shield.
Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
The mystery woman not to be referred to Val showed up as a mysterious sponsor for Walker’s shot at redemption, but what exactly is her agenda? Well, it’s quite difficult to point out, since that Contessa Valentina is one of Marvel’s best double agents having worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra at different points of her career.
Considering Nick Fury is busy enjoying his fake vacation tie in outer space, it’s plausible to think Val is temporarily taking over his role at a new organization, a shadier version of S.H.I.E.L.D. perhaps. Pairing this with the repeated mentions of The Raft in the last two episodes, it’s safe to say the maximum-security prison is hiding something of interest for the MCU’s future, with Baron Zemo being right atop the list.
The prospect of a future Marvel production based on The Thunderbolts (Marvel’s answer to The Suicide Squad) is all but confirmed, especially since General Thaddeus Ross has been popping up in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s credits since day one. Coincidentally the U.S. Agent is eventually tasked with leading this gang of misfits, which makes him the perfect first-round draft pick to assemble her team of less than desirable field operatives who are allowed to get their hands dirty.
Sharon Carter
Steve Rogers would be pretty disappointed to see Peggy’s niece turn into a crime boss with worldwide reach who is definitely out to make the American government pay for the way it mistreated her, and probably some fans are just as bothered by this. Episode three teased the possibility of Sharon Carter being the Power Broker, though at the time the hint seemed so obvious most took it as a sign of very bad misdirection.
Still, the MCU decided to transform Curtis Jackson's Power Broker into a blank canvas for Emily VanCamp to re-enter the fray despite her character apparently having no superpowers to trade in any markets at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Sharon is as of now one of those pesky human arms dealer characters, à la Georges Batroc who will use her influence to interfere with the Avengers’ plans, yet it’s highly unlikely she’ll be the main villain in any future projects.
Considering The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is already looking good for a second season by Marvel Studios’ own moves, plus the fact that the U.S. government is now able to produce weapons as sophisticated as a White Vision, Sharon Carter will definitely be coming back in any potential season two, a fourth Captain America movie or just stay around long enough to be a small nuisance for Marvel’s heroes for the next few years.
The biggest letdown regarding the Power Broker is might be how little information or motivation was given for Sharon to turn dark. Yes, she was essentially cast aside by the government just like Walker, but very little is said of her rise to power which -although unlikely- could be something worth exploring at least in flashback form further down the line.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier left Sam Wilson with a huge upgrade after graduating to Captain America. Nevertheless, what the series does for its less virtuous characters is a much bigger feat. The MCU is always hiring bad guys and every one of these has the chance to become Marvel's next great villain, or just a charismatic player lacking a moral compass.