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samasmith23 · 11 months

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Evangelion: You Can (Not) Marathon — (Part 2)

Neon Genesis Evangelion, “Episode 2: Unfamiliar Ceiling/THE BEAST”

Continuing my Evangelion re-watch marathon with NGE, "Episode 2: Unfamiliar Ceiling/THE BEAST"! For my thoughts on the previous episode, click the link to the post below:

With that out of the way, let's dig in!

Lol! I love the way Sachiel picks up Evangelion Unit-01 after Shinji causes the mecha to trip! I bet the Angel is thinking to itself, “What the heck is this thing?! It’s not like those planes, missiles & bombs I dispatched earlier, but it’s clearly a threat! Arm go breaky-breaky and laser beam go through eye socket!”

Joking aside though, this scene further emphasizes my personal frustration with the bad-faith criticisms levied by the "Get in the EVA Shinji" crowd. Like... did people seriously expect Shinji to be perfectly efficent at operating a giant robot he had never even heard of before until literally less than an hour earlier, let alone utilizing it to fight and kill an approximately 40 to 95 meter tall world-destroying alien monstrosity?

The fact that Shinji immediately stumbles and trips during his first attempt to try and simply make the EVA walk, along with him being completely paralyzed with fear as the Angel stares down at him is honestly an incredibly believable reaction on his part! I know I'd certainly react the exact same way Shinji does here!

Also, the injuries that Shinji immediately sustains from Sachiel are definitely uncomfortable to witness as a viewer! Not only does Sachiel snap EVA Unit-01's left arm like a twig (simultaneously breaking Shinji's arm in the process since his nervous system is directly bonded with the EVA's), but the Angel then fires multiple laser blasts directly into Unit-01's right eye sockets, causing twin-streams of blood to shoot-out from both sides of the mecha's head!

Like... YIKES! The fact that Shinji ultimately survives this encounter without suffering permanent brain damage, but just short-term memory loss, is truly an astonishing miracle! Speaking of which...

Full disclosure, I remember being annoyed when I first watched this episode and it suddenly cut to Shinji waking up in the hospital the next day after being knocked out by Sachiel, implying that the entire fight happened off screen. However, after finishing watching this episode for the first time several years ago, I realized just how brilliant this move was on Anno’s part considering what we later learned happened during the fight towards the end of the episode.

Also, Shinji's first words upon waking up are, "An unfamiliar ceiling!" Title drop! Lol!

Oh boy! Our first scene of Gendo meeting with his higher-ups, the Human Instrumentality Committee, aka, our official introduction to the mysterious SEELE organization which oversee’s NERV!

Out of curiousity, I wonder if one of these guys is actually Shinji’s grandfather since his mother, Yui Ikari, later states in the flashbacks from Episode 21 that she’s the daughter of a high-ranking SEELE member, and the Committee is supposed to be SEELE’s inner council.

According to the official "EvaGeeks Wiki" though, while the Human Instrumentailty Committee's leader, Keel Lorenz, is from Germany, the unnamed yellow member is French, the blue guy is Russian, the green guy is American, and the red guy is British.

So does that mean Yui is of mixed-ethnicity? If so, that's cool!

Speaking of Chairman Keel though, here's some interesting behind-the-scenes trivia regarding the name of SEELE's enigmatic leader! In addition to "Keel" being derrived from the literal ship part (specifically the central lower spine of a watercraft's hull), the name "Lorenz" is a reference to the renowned Austrian zoologist and child psychologist Konrad Lorenz, whom in 2015 had his 1973 Nobel Prize in Medicine posthemusly revoked due to his historical affiliations with Nazi Germany (originally, Keel was actually intended to be the real-life Konrad Lorenz in the show itself).

While Hideaki Anno & crew likely chose the name as a subtle reference to the historical figure who popularized the psychological theory of "imprinting" in the field of childhood development (which makes sense considering how integral themes of teenage psychology & motherhood are to EVA's overarching narrative), the fact that Keel Lorenz is also named after an individual with literal Nazi ties is also fitting considering that as antagonists SEELE is a quasi-fascistic doomsday cult.

But I'll discuss more about that when the Human Instrumentality Committee true identity is eventually revealed in Episode 14!

Also, I don’t know why but the yellow French SEELE member always reminded me of the Vulture from Spider-Man. I think it’s the combination of the beak-like nose, the hunched back, and the elderly appearance (minus the hair and glasses of course...). And he’s not the only SEELE member who’s apparently a Marvel Comics cosplayer considering that Keel Lorenz is wearing a similar visor to Cyclops from X-Men. Although the blue Russian member seems to be a DC Comics cosplayer considering he looks an awful lot like the Penguin from Batman.

So basically the members of SEELE are all secretly Marvel & DC comic book fans! Lol!

Dang! The fact that even before the Angel's officially returned with Sachiel's attack on Tokyo-3, Gendo already had enough power and influence within the Japanese government to authorize a media-blackout for the rest of the country and entire world regarding the existence of the Angels is pretty impressive!

Seeing as NERV is a branch of SEELE which has ties to the United Nations, I'm guessing that the Human Instruementality Committee sent the Japanese Prime Minister a pretty convincing letter of reccomendation on Gendo's behalf!

Also, that closing exchange between Keel & Gendo is so FREAKING iconic!

Keel Lorenz: "Ikari, you do know that there can be no turning back." Gendo Ikari: "I know. Mankind has no time left."

Chills! Absolute chills everytime I hear it! Keel & Gendo's respective English VA's, Richard Peeples & Tristan MacAvery, are absolutely on point in this scene!

I really love the white & blue-tinted lighting of the hospital where he encounters an injured Rei again after waking up! It really establishes the ambigous and uncomfortable tone of their initial relationship!

While Misato's comment, "Man, air conditioning's the greatest thing. Man's triumph over nature," is funny on a surface-level, it simultaneously foreshadows another major reoccuring theme interwoven into EVA's narrative: the arrogance and hubris behind humanity's over-reliance on technology!

But I'll discuss those themes more in-depth when they become increasingly notable from Episode 11 onwards!

Lol! Even when being empathetic Ritsuko still can't help but continue being the scientist as usual: "Poor little kid. His cerebelum must have taken a lot of stress."

Double lol! Even Misato recognizes her friend's detatched demeanor: "Cerebellum? Don't you mean his heart?"

I honestly don't think voice actress Sue Ulu is given enough credit for her performance as Ritsuko in the original ADV Dub. She's incredibly effective at conveying Ritsuko's rational & analytical personality!

Oh boy... even though Shinji suffered short-term memory loss from Sachiel's laser blasts, he still has lingering subconcious memories of the injuries he sustained slowly bubbling back towards the surface, as demonstrated by him staring at his now-healed left arm with confusion & fear...

More effective mood-lighting on display when Misato' meets Shinji alone in the waiting room of NERV's infirmary, as both the characters and enviornment are completely obscured in shadows caused by the contrasting sunlight of the room's large exterior windows. It effectively symbolizes both Shinji & Misato wandering into the unknown as the two become more closely aquainted with each other!

Man oh man, the scene where Shinji & Misato accidentally encounter Gendo while trying to get on the elevator is absolutely brilliant in how so much information is conveyed here through facial expressions instead of dialogue! Shinji expects praise from his father for defeating the Angel.

Even though Shinji’s memory of how exactly it happened is foggy, he thinks he was still of some use to his father like he always wanted. And yet... Gendo has absolutely nothing to say to him, just staring coldly and blankly, further feeding into Shinji’s sense of isolation & self-loathing!

So many emotions are conveyed in such a short space of screentime without any dialogue whatsoever!

And all Misato can do is watch & grow increasingly concerned for Shinji’s well being. I do also love how quickly Misato catches onto Shinji’s struggles, as she deals with the exact same crap despite being more outgoing and carefree personality-wise than him. Which is part of why she decides to let him live at her apartment instead of alone where he can wallow in self-loathing.

Still, we also get some insight into Misato’s complicated struggles with sexuality versus motherhood derived from her Elektra Complex through her offhanded joke, “It’s not like I’m going to be making any ‘passes’ at [Shinji],” which absolutely enrages Ritsuko over the phone.

I love how when Shinji can’t help but feel further distressed after hearing random bystanders at the grocery store talk about Tokyo-3 being turned into a battle ground without even once mentioning Shinji's name or acknowledging his involvement, Misato takes Shinji to witness Tokyo-3’s skyscrapers rising up from below the GeoFront to show him the city he helped protect in an effort to validate his usefulness and worth as an EVA pilot.

As gorgeous as this scene is though, considering the sheer amount of Freudian symbolism that’s littered all throughout NGE, when I see those skyscrapers rising upward I can’t help but wonder if this was meant to be yet another example of psychosexual imagery.

Spike Spencer does a great job at capturing Shinji's feelings of awkward hesitance and unsure relief as he takes his first step into Misato's apartment and says, "I'm home," to which an overly cheery Misato replies, "Welcome home."

Also, keep this exchange in the back of your minds since it will later become thematically relevant in Episode 4!

Lol! It’s such a wild contrast seeing just how professional and composed Misato is while working at NERV, as opposed to how wild & messy her home life is. In addition to her apartment floors being littered with garbage bags, dirty dishes, and mountains of used & unused Yebisu beer cans (which is apparently a real-life Japanese alcohol brand...), Misato essentially acts like an immature college student within the privacy of her home, wearning nothing but tank-tops and short-shorts while drinking gallons of alcohol & having insta-ramen for dinner!

Yeesh... I just came to an uncomfortable realization here! Misato's home life is basically just like how I personally used to live back in college! Albiet... I never wore short-shorts nor drank beer (seriously, I think all alcohol tastes TERRIBLE!)...

That's honestly one of the more powerful elements of EVA's characters. They are disturbingly relatable and force you to interrogate aspects of yourself that you're sometimes uncomfortable acknowledging. Even during light-hearted and comedic scenes like Shinji & Misato's ramen & beer dinner conversation, NGE's maintains its well-deserved status as a phenomenal treatise on the human condition!

Lol! I always laugh so hard when an annoyed Misato snaps at Shinji's shyness: "WHAT?! ARE YOU FINICKY?!"

God bless Allison Keith! Her performance as Misato is an absolute treasure!

Also, some of the first indications of Shinji's struggles with his developing sexuality as he can't help but stare at Misato's breasts when she leans over the table and gets directly in his face during her aforementioned outburst!

Aww... poor Shinji really got the short end of the stick by being relegated to daily chores for 5 to 6 days of the week after losing several rounds of rock-paper-scissors with Misato.

Also, I once again find myself uncomfortably relating to Misato here since I too can unfortunately be incredibly lazy when it comes to household chores...

Also also, we get some more allusions to Misato's Elektra Complex with her joking, “This is your home, so feel free to take advantage of everything you want, except of course me that is!”

We’ll learn later in the series that due to her traumatic past as a survivor of Second Impact and her strained relationship with her deceased father, Misato spent her entire adolescence catatonic and began actively pursuing sexual relationships during college in order to fill in that empty void in her heart. In particular, men who subconsciously remind her of her late father such as her ex-boyfriend Ryoji Kaji...

In essence, Misato is a person who greatly struggles with developing meaningful relationships with others due to the ghosts of her past, and relies primarily on physical connections and innuendos in order to communicate her true feelings, while also subconsciously wanting to drive others away from her due to her internalized self-loathing.

We also see more of Misato's character flaws as she continues to belittle Shinji's anxiety by angrily grabbing his hair and shouting, "Yes, yes yes. Is that all you can say? It's getting on my nerves! You're a boy! Act like one!"

Yeah... similar to how Shinji has deep-seated issues with women and sexuality, Misato has some toxic and borderline patriarchal expectations concerning the behavior of men. Misato truly is just an older version of Shinji!

On the subject of Shinji's issues with women, we see his obvious discomfort at the sight of Misato's bras & panties hanging on the clothes chandeliers as he prepares to take a bath before panicking at the sight of a literal penguin inside the bathroom. This especially feels like subtle groundwork being laid for Shinji's more overtly misogynistic attitudes in The End of Evangelion?

Speaking of that penguin inside the bathroom though...

Lol! The introduction to Evangleion's official mascot, Pen Pen, accompanied by the classic gag of a terrified & naked Shinji running back to Misato where she has a strategically placed beer can in front of a smaller toothpick jar on the kitchen table to censor his crotch!

Even after all these years, this gag NEVER... EVER ever gets old! I think the reason why this joke is so famous and fondly remembered by EVA fans is because aside from the obvious absurdity of a literal penguin inside an apartment building as well as the strategically placed objects, Shinji's reaction is incredibly realistic & relatable (I know I'd probably have a very similar reaction if I saw a random wild animal in of my shower). Plus, Shinji's embarassed realization to Misato asksing, "Umm... why don't you cover up," with his face turning red and him awkwardly shuffling back to the bathtub further sells the relatablility of the gag!

Studio Khara would repeat this joke in the Evangelion Rebuild 2.22, but instead replaced Shinji with Asuka. Consequently, the scene in the Rebuild feels a lot more like uncomfortable male-gazey fan-service (rather than the slap-sticky humorous tone of the original scene with Shinji), especially since Shinji's also in the room with Misato when Asuka panics at the sight of Pen Pen, thereby leading to him getting kicked in the face by Asuka while the camera has her butt visible in the frame during said-kick.

Yeah... based on everything I've seen and heard, gratuitous and "comedic" fan-service is a major flaw with the Rebuild movies, whereas the original NGE either avoided or actively subverted typical anime fan-service tropes in order to further flesh out its characters.

Also, I love that subdued head-tilt Pen Pen gives Shinji as he walks into his personal automated refrigerator! Pen Pen be like: "What's the matter kid? Ain't ya never seen a warm-water penguin before?"

Also also, as you might have noticed in the upper-right image above, it's here that I feel is an appropriate time to introduce everyone to the official "Pen Pen Censor" sticker, which will definitely be appearing A LOT throughout this marathon (in order to meet Tumblr community guidelines) due to EVA's extensive coverage of themes regarding sex & sexuality.

On the subject of Pen Pen himself, however, while its never outright confirmed in the anime exactly Misato how got her hands on a unique species of "hot-springs penguin" as a household pet, but in the official manga adaptation written & illustrated by the series' lead character designer, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, it's eventually revealed that Pen Pen was actually an experimental lab animal from a company Misato was originally employed by before joining NERV. Feeling lonely and isolated in her home life, Misato took sympathy on Pen Pen and brought him home with her before he could be euthanized.

While the absence of Pen Pen's backstory's doesn't negatively impact the anime's quality at all, there is a part of me that does still wish it had been included since it further conveys the inherently selfish desires underlying Misato's desicion to invite Shinji to be her roommate. Just like Pen Pen, while she related to and sympathized with the "useless, greedy [bird's]" situation, Misato was also simply seeking companionship to help fill the void in her own heart.

The fact that Misato did not adopt Shinji for purely altruistic reasons serves as a major thematic element of her characterization, and invites the viewer to question whether or not Misato legitimately views Shinji as the son/brother that she never had, or merely perceives him like a pet to be coddled & objectified just like Pen Pen.

So... that "Shinji's lovely suite" sign that Misato taped onto Shinji's bedroom door. This defintiely seems to lean into the argument of Misato treating Shinji more like a pet than a roommate.

I know that all the infamous budget issues with Episodes 25 & 26 were totally unplanned, but the fact that the music tracks Shinji is repeatedly listening to on his radio are tracks 25 & 26 feels like it should not be a coincidence! It’s giving me some serious Grant Morrison vibes of back when they had the issue focusing on an older Damian Wayne fighting the satanic Third Ghost of Batman take place in Batman (1940) #666!

While Ritsuko seemed pretty cold in contrast to Misato back during Episode 1, I love how when she’s alone with Gendo here discussing the progress of Rei's recovery from the failed EVA Unit-00 activation test, she can’t help but express her own concerns about forcing literal 14-year-olds to pilot giant robots and fight alien gods.

Also... more EPIC FORESHADOWING with the panning shot of a half-frozen inactive EVA Unit-00 punching the window of a disused control room! This not only effectively builds-up towards the flashback later in Episode 5 concerning Rei's injuries, but is also thematically relevant to this episode's climatic flashback with EVA Unit-01 vs. Sachiel as well!

I love the intentional contrasting of Misato's earlier words about "Bathing [cleaning] the mind and soul," against her feeling guilty for "thinking of Shinji as a tool" in both her work & home lives while bathing.

I guess Shinji's thoughts, "Bad memories always [seeming] to find [him] in the bath," also apply to Misato...

Returning to Shinji though, this shot of him staring up at "another unfamiliar ceiling" while wearing his headphones as a form of escapism to ease his feelings of anxiety is so FREAKING iconic!

Honestly, as an autistic person who struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder & anxiety who spends an awful lot of time wearing headphones to listen to YouTube and distract myself from both external and internal pressures of the world, I totally relate to Shinji here!

Furthermore, we get the return of the titular "unfamiliar ceiling" motif that Shinji referenced earlier in the episode when he first woke up in the NERV infirmary. The website Wrong Every Time did a far better job at explaining the significance behind that title & imagery in their review of Episode 2 than I possibly ever could! Specifically, they argue that unfamiliar ceilings serve as a physical manifestation of Shinji's "sense of displacement" at NERV HQ and Misato's apartment, symbolizing to the viewer that from Shinji's perspective, "[these places are not] his home. [From the] shots of the room’s disarray [to] Shinji’s physical entrapment [emphasizing] his discomfort, as he seems to bury himself away in the space between two repeating cassette tracks."

Like… dang! Wrong Every Time absolutely nailed it in their assessment of this scene! Or as Rei’s English voice actress Amanda Winn Lee infamously described in the audio commentary track to the original End of Evangelion DVD collection, “Nailed it like an Amish barn!” Lol!

The return of the unfamiliar ceiling as Shinji reminesces alone in his new bedroom about full events of the fight with Sachiel functions as a perfect transition to discussing the meanings of episode's secondary title... "THE BEAST!"

So... remember how I said earlier that I was initially really annoyed when I first watched this episode and it suddenly cut away from the Angel knocking Shinji unconscious to him instantly waking up in the hospital the next morning? Well it was during this flashback to the full fight from earlier right here that all my previous annoyance suddenly disappeared and I understood fully why this cut was necessary!

Not only does Anno's decision to have Sachiel’s defeat intially occur off-screen help pique viewer interest in exactly how Shinji defeated the Angel. Not only does it gradually build up the feelings of hollow victory and faint praise that Shinji & Misato couldn’t help but ponder throughout the rest of the episode. But it also effectively makes the ultimate reveal of EVA Unit-01 going berserk for the first time ever all the more shocking & horrifying!

No joke, when I first saw EVA Unit-01 suddenly open it’s mouth & roar I was legitimately FREAKING terrified! I just had so many questions swirling around in my head all at once since I initially thought that Unit-01 was simply just a robot. But this plot twist signified to me that not only are the Evangelions something far more mysterious & disturbing than mere robots, but that they’re also potentially even more dangerous monsters than the Angels!

Plus, the fact that Unit-01's berserker rampage was also foreshadowed back in Episode 1 with the EVA suddenly activating itself to protect Shinji from falling debris (as well as the "0-9 System" controlling it being a reference to Oni from Japanese demonology) makes this plot twist even more impactful!

For the sake of craps & giggles though, I bet the soul of Yui dwelling inside of Unit-01 was thinking to herself at that exact moment: “You will NOT kill my son!”

Also, this I love Misato & Ritsuko's contrasting reactions to Unit-01 going berserk! While, Misato is completely taken aback by this revelation, Ritsuko seems fearfully aware with the events transpiring when she whispers to herself, "Berserker!"

In essence, Misato acts as an audience-surrogate in this scene since just like her we're now completely frightened & suspicious about the Evangelion's true nature, while Ritsuko along with Gendo & Fuyutsuki have access to knowledge that the viewers are currently in the dark about!

Honestly in hindsight, the character's various reactions on display here significantly contributed to my desire to want to learn more about what exactly caused EVA Unit-01 enter a violent animalistic rampage!

As scary as the sight of Unit-01 going on a berseker rampage against Sachiel is though, HOLY CRAP is the sound-design & animation for this fight scene FREAKING phenomenal! In addition to Unit-01's blood-chilling roar heavily indicating the presence of organic vocal cords being suppressed by layers of electronic sirens, the shots of the EVA crouching down before flipping itself high into the air and pouncing onto Sachiel are so FREAKING iconic! Same goes for the 360° panning shot of Unit-01 turning around to face Sachiel again after shrugging off its inital counter-attack!

So wait... how exactly is Unit-01 able to regenerate its armored plating when healing its broken left arm? Is it liquid metal like the T-1000 or something?

Also, we get some more foreshadowing of both the EVA's being cloned from the Angel's progenitor Adam, as well as Unit-01's unique status as a clone of humanity's progenitor Lilith since not only does Unit-01 easily create its own A.T. Field to counter the frequency of Sachiel's, but it easily rips through the Angel's A.T. Field like it was tissue paper!

The animalistic brutality on display as Unit-01 simultaneously crushes both of Sachiel's arms before ripping apart the Angel's own bony chest-protrusions (spilling blue blood in the process) to stab its core is absolutely breathtaking to witness!

As uniquely awesome and uncanny the animation of Sachiel shape-shifting itself into a fluid orb around Unit-01's head is, I'm curious to know exactly how Misato realized that this was a self-destruct maneuver. Especially since the last time she personally witnessed an Angel's abilities was when she was still a teenager 15-years-ago during Second Impact...

Holy crap! The massive cross-shaped explosion that Sachiel generates when it self-destructs is not only breathtaking gorgeous, but it simultaneously adds further intrigue into whether or not the Angels are merely extraterrestrials or literal divine entities!

The feelings of sheer terror that this scene instilled within me were only further cemented by the aftermath of the battle, as Shinji briefly regains consciousness only to scream in horror at the building-side reflection of Unit-01’s head armor falling off and exposing its true fleshy face along with an eyeball that is absolutely in no way whatsoever is meant to resemble traditionally feminine anatomy (H.R. Geiger would eat his heart out over Unit-01’s eyeball here)!

Plus, I only just noticed this, but the front of EVA Unit-01's exposed forehead bears a striking resemblance to the masks on Sachiel's face, further hinting that the Evangelions and the Angels are biologically connected!

I absolutely adore the final moments of the episode where Misato continues to give Shinji faint praise even when she now realizes that it won’t help him. It simultaneously suggests that Misato still wants to do whatever she can to ease Shinji’s pain, while also desperately trying to find some way to justify Unit-01’s berserker rampage against Sachiel “being worth it” despite the traumatic toll the experience has inflicted upon Shinji’s psyche!

What an absolutely perfect way to end the episode! Allison Keith once again perfectly sells this scene through the way her voice so subtly cracks while trying to feign said-empty reassurance!

This concluding exchange also thematically ties the episode's corresponding titles, "Unfamiliar Ceiling" & "THE BEAST," so neatly together! In addition Shinji & Misato being haunted by memories of the literal beast in the form of EVA Unit-01, they're simultaneously confronted with metaphorical beasts as they struggle to process and adapt to unfamiliar enviornments and relationships!

I love it whenever titles convey multiple meanings like that!

Overall though, NGE, "Episode 2: Unfamiliar Ceiling/THE BEAST" still holds up incredibly dang well! Even better than I remember!

Heck, whenever I try to introduce other people to EVA for the first time, I always recommend that they watch Episodes 1 & 2 immediately back-to-back so that they can get a good idea of how this anime functions, since honestly both episodes work incredibly well as an hour-long pilot when watched together!

Now onto Episode 3!

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the-shared-brain-in-retrograde · 2 years

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The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

A joint review

Well here we go now, a show that we have both enjoyed in very different ways. One of us gained what we would term a normal level of enjoyment (although also some other strong feelings about the general MCU canon - ‘it’s bullshit’ mutters Becks), whilst the other has gone completely feral and thought of little else since watching the show the first time. So lots to get through, we’ll try to keep it in our pants. By which I mean brief.

New World Order

Becks: The first time I watched this episode I was sort of disappointed. This time, I was more... upset.

Cass: *snorts* So yet to crack a positive emotion.

Becks: Obviously I cheered up when I saw Emmy-nominated actor Don Cheadle. Who’s spirits wouldn’t be lifted by such a short, yet fine, performance?

*Both of us look to camera meaningfully*

Becks: I think the thing is, and where I think we differ, is I find it difficult to understand why Sam gave up the shield. I agree with Bucky that he should have kept it. I do understand the reasons he didn’t keep it, and obviously a lot of that is to do with being a black man in America which is something that I’m not, so I can empathise but I also can’t fully grasp that struggle. But in my head Steve Rogers told him to do something and also Bucky did, and I think you should just do what they tell you!

Cass: *girly voice* Yes, Sergeant Barnes

Becks: And also him not taking it has led to John Walker. I think he should apologise for that. Because clearly Sam is a good man, and that’s all that Captain America needs to be.

Cass: Okay. So I have a different take, because although I am also neither black nor American I think I follow how Sam’s experience of being both those things would lead him to believe that taking the mantle isn’t the right thing for him to do. And let’s face it, I’m also far less inclined to do what Steve Rogers says blindly. I could get behind your Bucky argument more, if Bucky wasn’t such a hot mess at this stage who can barely tell himself what to do, let alone anyone else.

Also, Sam hasn’t had any opportunity to ease himself into the idea. It’s like being given a job that you didn’t apply for, by someone who has fucked off without leaving any guidance on how to do it. And likely he’s going to be expected to lead a team, and the world is going to scrutinise him whilst he does it, which means every inevitable mistake will be blown out of proportion, and then he’ll have to deal with that. I would hate that. So I get his doubt and even his refusal.

We then agree on something, which is that the skydiving sequence looks very nice.

Becks: It gave me Star Wars vibes. It reminds me of when Din takes out his new ship in Boba Fett, so that was nice for me.

Cass: I also like it, because Sam is so badass and it looks very cool.

Becks: Also, I think you’d shit yourself if you were flying along and a man’s face popped up at the window.

Cass: I definitely would, because it’s a fear of mine to see a face appear at any window. Also it’s a good argument as to why you shouldn’t use firearms on a plane.

Becks: Imagine if you got rescued by Sam? I reckon you’d cry. *pause whilst she imagines it, cackles* YOU WOULD!

Cass: I’d hold on tight and be sure he knew how grateful I was when we landed. Whether I’m crying at the time is immaterial.

Becks: TORRES! I like him, he’s a cutey, and I reckon he’ll be the new Falcon.

Cass: He gives me strong puppy vibes. Very enthusiastic. I like him!

Becks: I didn’t like him going off on his own and getting beaten up though.

Cass: Did you like when he sent Sam a little sad selfie of his bashed up face? All these young additions will get the Avengers what’s app group up and running I reckon.

Becks: Bucky just in there like ‘stop messaging me’.

Cass: Bucky definitely sending bad memes that everyone else saw years ago. Speaking of Bucky... anything to add?

Becks: Well I think I’ve written I’d wank him off at some point during my notes so...

Cass: So you’re saying this review is now rated NC17, yeah? Good to know. Proceed.

Becks: I think the problem is that I consider Steve and Bucky to be besties, and the way that the MCU finished that storyline means that I haven’t had any closure, and it makes me very sad and I think it’s why I don’t enjoy the show as much as you and I don’t know where I’m going with this but I just think WHAT IF YOU LEFT ME AND GOT ANOTHER BEST FRIEND? WHAT WOULD I DO?!

Cass: Right. Lots to unpack.

Becks: THAT’S WHAT SAM WOULD TRY AND DO AND I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!

Cass: Ahh, now we’re getting somewhere! Lie back down. Tell me about your mother.

Anyway. Anything you want to say about Bucky in terms of his narrative arc in this show and particularly this episode?

Becks: It’s strange to hear him talk so much. Short hair looks nice. And also it’s sad. He’s torturing himself, and I think he’s very angry at everyone, but mainly at himself for things beyond his control. And he’s a man out of time now isn’t he? Which must be very difficult.

Cass: Yes, I think it’s very sad to see quite how isolated he is. And although he has made a friendship with Yuri, it’s sad because it’s also under false pretences so part of him must feel like it’s not real.

Becks: And he’s ignoring Sam, who’s clearly trying to reach out BECAUSE HE’S SUCH A GOOD PERSON *seethes*

Cass: Jesus. Who hurt you? I’d love to know. Anyway, it’s nice that he’s got some lines in this, because I don’t think it was clear in his previous outings quite how incredibly sassy the man is.

Becks: I love his sass! It really does things for me.

Cass: I like his little fake smiles. And also that therapist deserves to be sassed, I reckon. I’ve never been to therapy, but I’m not sure she’s totally up to code. Anyway. The we go to Louisiana, which may I say looks so pretty.

Becks: I like Sarah. She’s a strong female character so that’s nice. The only issue with this show for me is that there are female characters, but none of them talk to each other. I can’t tell if she’s older or younger than Sam?

Cass: I guess it’s a mess anyway because of the blip. I think it’s lovely to see that Sam has some family though. As a character he was always sort of isolated before, so it’s nice to get a real sense of family and community around him. The time in Delacroix always feels very soft and warm.

Becks: Yeah, you can see how he is such a good person, because he’s clearly had a good family and values and support growing up.

Cass: The bit at the bank makes me rage though. Although I do enjoy how Sarah just absolutely cannot when Sam does the wings.

Becks: Cos to her he’s not The Falcon is he? He’s just her brother, and I think it’s very well done.

At this point, we realised we had spent an hour on the first episode alone, and decided to move things along.

Cass: Oh Shit hang on we haven’t even mentioned John Walker!

Becks: I have! I hate him. I hate the whole Russell family in the MCU. I think the shock factor of the introduction is very good though. I wasn’t expecting it, and it was awful.

Cass: I felt such absolute rage. And just seeing the disbelief but also the resignation in Sam’s eyes. Like ‘of course this, I was stupid to think this wouldn’t happen’ on his face is so clear even without words.

Becks: And it just got more awful. Awfuler? More awful? It was shit! And having to watch Bucky’s little face? Despicable.

The Star Spangled Man

Cass: Although I enjoy the first episode, I think this one is where the show really comes into it’s own, because I think we can both agree that it’s really good when Sam and Bucky are actually on screen together.

Becks: It’s my favourite episode. I like Bucky hijacking Sam who is just trying to do his job. I like the Androids, Aliens and Wizards bit. I like how disgusted Bucky is by that, and how Sam is so confused by how he knows Gandalf.

Cass: They do have an absolute nerd argument don’t they? God love them. Bucky ‘I read it when it first came out’ Barnes.

Becks: I like how grumpy he is with Redwing. I like it when he jumps out of the plane. I like the staring. I like how Sam is winding Bucky up like ‘that little girl beat your ass’ and then Bucky growls at him. It does things to me.

Cass: You know what does things to me? When Sam rescues him and they go rolling through that flower meadow. The first time I watched this episode, you had already seen it and you text me to say was I Team Sam or Team Bucky and they were rolling through the flowers at the time and so I thought it would be a funny joke to say ‘maybe I’m Team Sam/Bucky’ but by the end of the episode I was like ‘oh shit’ and no-one was laughing anymore.

Becks: I think I knew it wasn’t going to be a joke.

Cass: Yeah. Locked in OTP. I try to keep a lid on it...

Becks: You didn’t try that hard! Anyway. I like the walking down the path and how they get made to get in the car like Elle Woods. And then I like how disgusted he is at Battlestar.

Cass: STOP THE CAR! Yeah he’s right and he should say it. Also, fair play to give Walker a chance but everything out of his mouth is more disgusting than the last, so I’m glad they just agree he’s a dick and antagonise him for the rest of the show.

Becks: It also cements my hatred for Walker. He’s talking to them like he thinks he is Steve, rather than his replacement. And I hate that.

Cass: Yeah he just has no compassion or self awareness it feels like. He seems to have a very high opinion of himself, so far unfounded from what I can tell. The other thing we get in this episode is more of an introduction to the Flag Smashers. I think this is where we find out they’re all Super Soldiers. Which, scientists of the MCU, stop trying to recreate that serum! It never goes well!

Becks: You can really understand where they are coming from.

Cass: Maybe not the way that they are going about it, but the reason behind it is relatable.

Becks: And I think whereas we know we’re definitely against John Walker, with Karli it feels different. Because it’s like, you’re not wrong. Which is an interesting way to do things.

Cass: Yeah I think off the back of that that it’s a good way of setting Sam up as a character with a lot of compassion. Like he says, he doesn’t disagree with Karli’s fight, just the way she’s fighting it. He sees how young she is, and refuses to call her a criminal.

Becks: And I think throughout the series, although she believes in her cause you can see her moments of doubt where things have gone too far. I think that’s a nice relatable thing to have.

Cass: And then of course, speaking of Super Soliders, we have the Isiah Bradley storyline. Which for me and for Sam I think, really just hammers home some of his doubts about taking the Shield and why he might not be the right person for it.

Becks: Yeah he was fucked over wasn’t he, in a really horrible way, and he’s understandably very angry. And I think it effects Sam very negatively at first, and puts even more doubts in his mind.

Cass: And then the cops turn up, and are racist. So another excellent days work for them. Sam’s levels of patience through his anger and frustration are incredible and it makes me sad that they are necessary.

Becks: Oh I forgot about the staring bit! Where they sit very close to each other and stare into each others eyes. We’ve never done that.

Cass: Do you want to? I don’t know if we should? If my reaction to this is anything to go by, it might unleash something in me...

Becks: It’s just really good. The whole episode has so much good stuff in it, it makes me want to say it’s the best thing ever made. I won’t, but it makes me want to.

Power Broker

Cass: I think it’s amazing how many characters are in this show that you do like. Not necessarily that they are good people. But they’re interesting and you enjoy watching them. Which brings us to Zemo.

Becks: I’d like to start with the hypothetical conversation. Which is just brilliant.

Cass: It is brilliant! I love how the instant Bucky mentions hypotheticals, Sam is like ‘what did you do?’ I like how Bucky keeps trying to look innocent and it makes him look more guilty.

Becks: And then the prison break. Because I love a prison break, and it is undoubtedly a very good one. He’s another person who’s motivation you can understand. Also, he does his villainy so well. It’s a lot of fun.

Cass: Yeah, he definitely dances on the line of it. Cos you get his reasons and you sort of feel for him, but also he’s a lunatic and can’t really be allowed to run around destroying people, super soldiers or not. It’s not nice watching him try to wind Bucky up - like Bucky is a means to an end for him as much as the other way around.

Becks: But he does create a nice unified focus for the boys. So that’s good.

Cass: I think as well that it’s a good way of Sam being able to show some trust in Bucky. Which I actually think is important for Bucky at this stage. Like, Sam could have totally flipped. But he listens to Bucky’s reasons and then he’s like ‘alright, since you broke him out let’s try it your way.’

Becks: I fucking love Madripoor. I think we’d have a lovely time in Madripoor.

Cass: What would we do?

Becks: PARRRRRRRTAAAAAAAY! I don’t want to go to an art gallery though.

Cass: What about an illegal art gallery?

Becks: I suppose. But only if I can judge it.

Cass: What’s the criteria?

Becks: Does it look like what it’s meant to look like? No? THEN BURN IT!

I didn’t like it when Zemo made Bucky pretend to be The Winter Soldier. Because that would have been awful for him.

Cass: No it was really sad. Although he was better at acting than Sam, who was a disaster.

Becks: Yeah Sam was terrible undercover, I remember us discussing that at the time.

Cass: He downed that snake shot though which I don’t think I could have done.

Becks: Werp! Why are they serving those shots? No one wants that in bars. What were the nice ones with cream that we used to have? Blow jobs! He should have just ordered a blow job.

Cass: Sorry, did you just say Sam Wilson should go into a bar and get a blow job?

Becks: (wheezes)

Cass: ‘Oh Sam Wilson and The Winter Soldier should go into a bar and get blow jobs.’

Becks: (still wheezing) That’s not what I meant, you’re twisting it!

Cass: What’s that? You said Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes should just give each other blow jobs?

Becks: I think that’s what you said!

Cass: That is what I said. Why haven’t they?! I suppose because they’re professionals and keeping their mind on the job. Speaking of which, however bad at acting he may be, Sam is a fucking PROFESSIONAL and I don’t believe that he would leave his phone on.

Becks: Yeah I think we both thought that was bad. Like yes they need to move the plot along, but do it better.

Cass: As an aside, we’ve all seen how bad Bucky is at lying so I don’t reckon he’d be any better undercover than Sam if he was playing anyone other than The Winter Solider. So I’d just like to see a show where they have to go undercover, and they’re both fucking terrible.

Becks: Like 21 Jump Street?

Cass: Exactly!

Becks: And Zemo is no help, he just wants chaos. Moving on to Sharon, it’s good to see the consequences of their earlier actions. Sharon did get fucked over, and now they’re going to suffer. It’s good to see a woman entering her villain era. Also, as a fan of the hoody I enjoy her fashion choices.

Cass: Yeah I like Sharon more in this. She feels like more of a character, and again she’s been through some shit so it’s understandable how she has arrived here. Actually, is there anyone in this show that the US Government hasn’t screwed over? Something to think about.

Becks: We need to mention the serum, because we need to mention Bucky pressing his gun up against that mans face, and how it made us feel.

Cass: And how did it make us feel?

Becks: *wheezes* Not as financially troubled as when he does it in The 355, but it was borderline. Anyway you all know our feelings on science. Stop doing it! Also, I didn’t like it when he suggested improvements to the serum as if Bucky and Steve aren’t perfect.

Cass: You have so much rage, don’t you? I like that Zemo made a special pit stop to pick up a murder mask and a sports car whilst Sam and Bucky were squabbling in a gun fight again. And I’m sure you vibe with Bucky’s long game car seat pettiness, Becks.

We’d like to end our commentary on this episode with a general statement about how much we hate Walker. It’s nothing really specific, we just hate everything about him, and we think you should too.

The Whole World Is Watching

After a short and necessary break, in which Becks tries to dye her hair green but ends up with more of an Incredible Hulk cosplay situation and Cass goes to the shops, we reconvene. Becks is driving, it’s all very West Wing. If they drove.

Cass: Alright, this one starts with a flashback to beautiful Bucky in beautiful Wakanda.

Becks: And you said mean things...

Cass: What did I say?

Becks: I said that if it were me going through that I would have liked you to be there for me, and so I think Bucky would have wanted Steve there. And you said ‘well he wasn’t was he?’ and I didn’t much care for your tone.

Cass. Well. I mean. He wasn’t was he?

Becks: See! Laughing at me. Laughing at my misery, you’re a horrible person OH MY GOD THERE’S A DOG LOOKING AT ME FROM THE CAR IN FRONT!

Cass: To get us back on safe ground, let’s discuss Ayo.

Becks: She’s pissed and I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t like to have wronged her, White Wolf was playing with fire there. Like, it’s such a man thing to do, plough ahead and not think of others feelings.

Cass: Yeah, I don’t blame her for being pissed either. In many respects, she’s incredibly reasonable for that sort of situation. But she obviously has a good friendship with Bucky and gives him some more time to get what he needs from Zemo despite it all, so that’s nice.

Becks: I think I’d like to go on holiday in Riga. It looks lovely.

Cass: The flat is very nice. I enjoy how Sam can’t cope with any more hypotheticals when Zemo starts being vague about what happened. ‘You straight up shot the man!’ The audacity.

*checks notes*

My God Becks, your notes are very thirsty in this episode.

‘Titties.’

‘I’d like to see Bucky’s leverage.’

‘I’d like Bucky to keep an eye on me’

‘Sneaky Zemo, makes him hot.’

What’s going on?

Becks: I have a lot of feelings, and I was clearly feeling a certain way.

Cass: I enjoy Zemo’s Snow Queen vibes, getting info with Turkish Delight. I don’t enjoy John Walker turning up once again and getting all up in business that Sam was clearly handling. Because Sam is really, really good at talking reasonably with Karli and trying to help her to see another point of view. And it may well have worked if Walker and his big old inferiority complex hadn’t busted in and ruined it.

Becks: Sam is so good. So rational and caring. I very badly wish that Zemo had managed to break all of the vials. And it just goes to show, doesn’t it, that John Walker is not a good person. He’s just very untrustworthy. An overall bad egg.

Cass: Yeah, he’s exactly the type of person that Zemo thinks shouldn’t have the serum. And he’s proven right.

Becks: Captain America with a gun just doesn’t sit right. The fight in the flat is quite good, isn’t it? Love to see John Walker get his arse handed to him.

Cass: *snorts* ‘Looking strong John!’ really speaks to me. It’s just good to see the Dora Milaje absolutely not standing for any of his bullshit.

Becks: It’s really quite poignant in the end, because obviously he’s a bad loser but also the whole ‘they weren’t even super soldiers’ is just building towards him making really bad decisions. Although when Bucky’s arm comes off it’s a bit sad isn’t it?

Cass: It’s a bit of a ‘know your place, White Wolf’ moment isn’t it? Although it does give Sebastian room to do two things we find quite effecting. 1) Big sad eyes and 2) What we in the know refer to as The Arm Thing.

Becks: *giggles* Yes. The Arm Thing.

Cass: Although I agree to some extent with Karli’s viewpoint, I don’t like her threatening Sam’s family to get him to meet her. Although I do think it’s a big turning point in their relationship when Bucky refuses to let Sam go alone.

Becks: I think it’s quite shocking and unexpected when Lemar gets killed, and then of course leads to John Walker going full villain, which is actually one of the most violent parts of the MCU. The blood on the shield is a really shocking thing to see.

Cass: Yeah I agree. It’s an incredibly explicit, visceral image for Marvel. Because actually, although there are lots of fight scenes you don’t usually see blood like that. And covering a symbol such as the shield is, it really hammers home that John shouldn’t have it.

Truth

Becks: This is where they agree that they need to get the shield back. The fight here is quite cathartic for Bucky I think. He’s legitimately able to take out a lot of his anger on Walker. And then he throws the blood-stained shield at Sam, which has a lot of deeper meaning to it from his view point as well.

Cass: There’s something quite sad about Sam trying to wipe the blood off the shield. I think this is the point where Sam starts to think about his reasons for not keeping the shield differently. He’s trying to wipe away the blood, and he starts to recognise that he can never change the past, but maybe he can make things better going forwards.

Incidentally, another thing happens in this scene that we find memorable for more pleasant reasons. We call it our Thank You Female Directors moment, and Becks will insert a gif below for your viewing pleasure.

Cass: So Walker gets court martialled, but sadly we’ve not seen the last of him because this shady ass Valentina woman who I do not like or trust one bit turns up and starts talking in riddles.

Becks: I don’t like her. I feel nothing good is going to come of her. She’s kind of building her own anti-Avengers, and I don’t want owt to do with her.

Cass: Then Bucky goes and captures Zemo. Which I imagine he would have done quicker but he had to stop off and get himself a nice new coat.

Becks: Aw, poor Zemo. It’s sad isn’t it? But it’s sad when he’s in The Raft too. It’s just a horrible place, even in terms of prisons. Maybe they’ll just carry on breaking him out of various prisons around the world for little jaunts? Until Ayo turns up again, furious.

Cass: I love how Bucky is just like ‘me and my sad eyes are going to push my luck with Ayo just a little bit further and fix up a nice new suit for Sam.’ Which I hope he designed in his spare time.

Becks: Do you like this episode more than episode two?

Cass: Yes. Truth is my favourite episode, and that’s because my truth is that I find the whole bit in Louisiana so unbelievably comforting. And unexpectedly so at first. There is just not one thing I don’t love about this bit. It makes me feel so soft.

Becks: *in a slightly brittle tone* I’m glad that it makes you happy. No, I really am glad that you’re happy.

Cass: It’s just got a lot. Bucky and Sam communicating with each other outside of a mission. Bucky wanting to help but being awkward about it, but also flexing at every opportunity. And flirting with everyone in sight. Also I think this is the first time we see a real smile from him all series. I would watch a whole episode of them just doing DIY together. Also, it is my feeling that the boat is a metaphor. It only starts working after they work on it together, and I think that’s beautiful.

Becks: Ugh, imagine him looking at you like he looks at Sarah. I’d die. I’d also die if he looked at me like he did at John and Lemar in the car, and I’d definitely die if he did the tongue thing like he did at Sam in the interrogation room.

Cass: To paraphrase a wise man; those steel blue eyes are killing all the ladies. This next bit with the shield frisbee is truly one of my favourite bits.

Becks: Yeah I think it’s really good, the whole bit with Bucky explaining how he feels, how he still thinks Sam should take the shield but how he understands his point of view more now.

Cass: I love the whole thing. I love that Bucky explains that they were wrong in how they went about things with handing the shield to Sam, and I love that he verbally apologises for it. I think that’s actually quite a rare thing to hear, especially from two men. And then they have a very open and honest discussion about their feelings and perspectives. And it’s just really lovely.

Becks: Also. I think Bucky is wearing Steve’s dog tags and it gives me a lot of feelings.

Cass: Good feelings?

Becks: Mixed.

Cass: The whole ‘a couple of guys’ exchange gives me good feelings. As does Sam’s training montage. Lord have mercy, his arms and chest in that shirt, I’m weak.

Becks: *a woman who rewound this episode to look at Bucky’s thighs, without a pause* Pervert.

Cass: Can I just say, Sam’s face when he see’s that amazing vibranium suit and wings Bucky got him is a delight, but also how cute is it that Bucky got him a new Redwing even though he hates it, because he knows Sam loves it? MY HEART.

The end of this episode comes with a little end-credits scene of John Walker in a shed, muttering to himself, twitching away and making himself a shitty little tinfoil shield. Cass compared this to a comic-con outfit, Becks won’t allow that to stand because she thinks cosplayers would do a better job, and let’s be honest, she’s right. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

One World One People

Cass: Well, we’ve arrived. The final episode! And what a ride it has been. Who could have guessed that we would collectively start our notes for this episode by writing fuck off Frenchie when we saw Batroc.

Becks: I wrote ‘Oh Sergeant Barnes.’ It was nice that they acknowledged him by rank like that.

Cass: I have a lot of almost delirious feelings when Sam makes his entrance and says ‘I’m Captain America.’ Yes baby, you sure are!

Becks: Yeah well I said nice things too! You don’t see me banging on about it!

Cass: Well, what did you write?

Becks: Captain America.

Cass: *wheezes* All you wrote for the big entrance that the whole series has built up to was Captain America? Say what you see?

Becks: *hysterically* I was nice! I wrote that and put the smiley face with the hearts round it!

Cass: Why are you so angry about this?

Becks: I DON’T KNOW! I wanted those people to get blown up. I think the GRC are a set of cunts.

pause

I suppose that’s the kind of attitude that Sam’s fighting against, isn’t it?

Cass: No comment. I do think it’s really nice that Bucky gets the chance to rescue those people though, whether you think they deserve it or not. For once, people are thanking him for saving them instead of being afraid of him, and I think he’s genuinely amazed by that. Until Karli tries to ruin it.

Becks: I really like when he catches that rebar. It’s like when Steve catches that spear in Edinburgh, and it’s really good. It’s good when he does that innit? *makes noises Cass doesn’t like to examine too closely*

Cass: I like how furious he is at having to break off giving full blown heart eyes at Sam saving that truck load of people to catch it. Man is fuming. Karli very much has an ‘oh shit’ moment. Also I note that we have both written, ‘he’s like an angel’ about Sam but somehow we have both conveyed a very different vibe with it. Mine certainly comes off a bit more breathless.

Becks: We also get Sharon’s big reveal, but I can’t remember if it is a big reveal or not. It feels like it was obvious, but I can’t remember if that was just with hindsight.

Cass: What I appreciate is how everyone set The Power Broker up to be a man this whole time. That was a good move. Although Batroc deserved to die for idiocy. Why would you find out someone is super powerful and your first thought is to blackmail them? Bizarre.

Becks: We haven’t really mentioned Karli that much.

Cass: You wrote ‘sorry isn’t good enough young lady lol’.

Becks: *sniggers* Yeah I did. *Sobers up* But it was sad that she died. And she said sorry because she’s always been in two minds, not so much about what she’s doing but how it’s all turning out.

Cass: It is sad, because up until that point you sort of thought Sam would be able to get through to her and save her. And when he doesn’t you really feel for him.

Becks: I wonder if Sam has got inklings about Sharon? After she killed Karli.

Cass: Yeah maybe. I think he feels guilty about what happened to her though, so that could cloud his judgement a bit. Interested to see where that storyline goes though. I know you’re looking forward to her as a future villain. Do you think she would link up with Valentina?

Becks: I think Valentina would want power over her, and I don’t think Sharon would like that. She might even take down Valentina. That could be her thing.

Cass: Call me biased, but I think Sam’s speech is brilliant. Ol’ Sergeant Heart Eyes over there appears to as well. He really gives the GRC members a dressing down, but does it calmly and politely. I love as well ‘The only power I have is that I believe we can do better’ is brilliant.

Becks: It is a very good speech and just proves that he’s going to be an amazing Captain America. Like we told him in the first place.

Cass: I think it’s really lovely at the end, how Sam gets Isiah’s part in history publicly recognised. It lets Isiah start to realise that Sam isn’t just talk. And that even though things have always been a certain way, it doesn’t mean that that’s how it has to continue and that’s what Sam is going to fight for.

Becks: Bucky sorting out his list and talking to Yuri wraps things up nicely for the series as well, even if it is very sad to see him have to confront that part of his past again.

Cass: At least we’re not sad for too long, because then it’s back to Louisiana for the Cookout scene, which takes up more room in my mind than a scene of that length rightfully should.

Becks: Very clean and tidy and the happiest ending we’ve had from Marvel... for some people.

Cass: That shot of them looking so beautiful and content in the Louisiana golden hour makes me feel incandescent with happiness. Like, they are glowing, and so am I.

Becks: I do like how they changed the title card to Captain America and The Winter Soldier as well. Although it’s a shame Bucky still gets to be The Winter Soldier.

Cass: Perhaps that White Wolf rebrand is on the way? Final thoughts?

Becks: Yeah it was alright.

Cass: *cackles*

Becks: I think I’m not over certain stuff that I feel strongly about, so it was difficult for me. It wasn’t my favourite Marvel show, but it definitely wasn’t my least favourite either. But I am looking forward to Sam as Cap, and the films that are to follow.

Cass: This was, against strong competition and totally unexpectedly, my favourite of the shows so far. Actually even one of my favourite Marvel things altogether. I can’t adequately explain it, it just all works for me and I love them both a whole lot.

And that’s all for this one folks. We have agreed that this has taken as long to write as Avengers Assemble, which we agreed we would never let happen again so whoops. Becks doesn’t feel as emotionally drained but thinks that may be because she didn’t write it. Cass does have a headache but the pure happiness she feels at the thought of the ending makes it all worthwhile. That said, she’s going to lay down and listen to some Curtis Harding whilst Becks does the gifs.

😈 do you think she'll notice - love becks

Cass: Is it Eternals next?

Becks: *noises of extreme pain* oh nooooooooooo. *Then hopefully* Wait, is it Spiderman?

It turns out it is Spiderman, and we are able to put off the sheer fucking pain and misery that we found to be The Eternals until another time. Cass has heard it’s better on the rewatch, although she will say that if that’s how you’re recommending a movie then something has gone wrong. Becks won’t change her mind anyway, she’s even more stubborn than Cass and Cass is a Taurus so that’s saying something. Anyway. Until next time, film fans!

Love Becks and Cass xoxo

Easter Egg:

Cass: I feel less tired now finally. I’ve livened right up and I think it’s speaking to you.

Becks: Thanks I think?

Cass: Yes, it’s good but I’m also worried you’re like a drug. At the risk of sounding like Edward Cullen, you’re like my own personal brand of heroin.

Becks: (absolutely in pain wheezing) Why can you quote Twilight? I didn’t know you could do that!

Cass: (wheezing) Neither did I until it was happening!

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