The first two episodes of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier introduced the mysterious anarchist group called the Flag Smashers, and just like Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), the members seem to possess super-strength. The Flag Smashers’ leaders Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman), Dovich (Desmond Chiam), Gigi (Dani Deeté), DeeDee (India Bussey), and Nico (Noah Mills) have all shown evidence of using a new Super Soldier serum. In The Falcon and The Winter Soldier episode 3, Sam and Bucky find out exactly where it came from — with the help of Zemo.
Warning: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier episode 3 SPOILERS Below!
As it turns out, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes’ suspicion about the Flag Smashers using Super Soldier serum was right all along. After helping Zemo (Daniel Brühl who reprises his role from Captain America: Civil War) break out of prison, the three of them take a trip to Madripoor, a criminal haven. Over there, they meet Selby who knows where the new Super Soldier serum originated from. The episode also shows the return of Emily VanCamp’s Sharon Carter who we haven’t seen since Captain America: Civil War.
The U.S. government’s secret Black Captain America, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) was right when he was talking to Sam and Bucky in the second episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier about being used as a guinea pig by his own country and HYDRA. In fact, both the U.S. government and HYDRA were responsible for the new Super Soldier serum.
Dr. Wilfred Nagel (Olli Haaskivi) was recruited by HYDRA after the Winter Soldier Program ended and after HYDRA fell, the CIA hired him to reverse engineer Dr. Erskine’s formula. By using Isaiah Bradley’s DNA, Dr. Nagel was successful pinpointing the formula. His formula was a better serum that doesn’t require machines or massive alteration of body mass. Just pure power.
But when Nagel was about to make his breakthrough, he fell victim to Thanos’ snap turning him into dust. His work was forgotten until the Blip brought him back five years later. The mysterious Power Broker made Nagel’s move to Madripoor possible where the new Super Soldier serum was produced, but Flag Smasher leader Karli Morgenthau stole twenty vials of the serum to help her anarchist group’s agenda.
Zemo kills Nagel to prevent more supply from being created, but the new serum is already out there to potentially make more super soldiers. Marvel fans know that this may all be a set up to at least one Young Avenger.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier episode 3 is now streaming on Disney+. Check out some The Falcon and The Winter Soldier action figures from Avengers: Infinity War below.
