TV

All The Best Memes From ‘The Falcon And The Winter Soldier’ Premiere

Why does the new Captain America look like the old man from 'Up'?

by Merryana Salem  25 March 2021
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Before a new episode airs this Friday, let us review some choice memes created especially for the premiere of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a Marvel Studios series on Disney+ following the characters of Sam Wilson, aka Falcon, and Bucky Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier. Following the death of Bucky and Sam’s mutual bestie, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, the series grapples with Captain America’s legacy in an America altered by the apocalyptic events of Avengers: Endgame.

From accidental confirmations of Bucky being bisexual to roasting the “new” Captain America, let’s deep dive into those The Falcon And The Winter Soldier memes. For deep dives into the show itself, check out our easter egg guide.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Did They Just Accidentally Confirm Bucky As Bi?

Disney’s track record with LGBTIQ superheroes isn’t…great. In the sense, that it is practically non-existent. However, this hasn’t stopped anyone from interpreting the characters as such. No, it seems, has it stopped Disney from perhaps accidentally hinting that Bucky may be bisexual.

During a sequence when Bucky is out on a date, he mentions how confusing he finds online dating (same, Bucky). Specifically, he mentions how weird the “tiger pictures” are. The phenomenon of people taking photos with tigers for their dating profiles is not gender-exclusive, but it is more popular on dating apps with men.

That’s The New Captain America???

The last few minutes of the episode saw the announcement of a new Captain America that is neither Sam Wilson, nor Bucky Barnes, but John Walker. This felt like a personal insult to Sam, Bucky and the entire fanbase, not to mention Steve Rogers’ legacy.

Fans expressed their grief and anguish in the only way they know-how. With memes about this new Captain America’s lack of an ass.

Bucky Being On Tinder Practically Memes Himself

The concept of Bucky Barnes partaking in the fraught social ritual of online dating practically memes itself. As of the time of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,  the man hasn’t had a date in almost 80 years and it shows.

Add to that the chance that Mr Barnes may only be dating you because either a) his old man bestie trapped him into it, or b) he killed your family when he was the Winter Soldier? Personally, I’d be for it either way.

The Racist Loan Officer

The reality of America’s anti-Black racism crept its way into The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiere when Sam and his sister are denied a loan by a loan officer. The scene is portraying the racialised reality of red-lining.

Redlining is a practice by which banks systemically deny Black Americans loans to keep them out of white neighbourhoods and keep them impoverished. Sam Wilson being denied a loan for being Black despite being an Avenger and a veteran is a version of reality many Americans would be familiar with.

The Government Double Crossing Sam

To the shock of no one, really, the government lies to Sam about their intentions with Cap’s shield. While the start of the episode sees Sam return Cap’s shield to the Smithsonian exhibit, as per the government’s request, the end of the episode sees the shield in the hands of a new Captain America.

The new Captain America is neither Sam nor Bucky, adding extra salt to the wound. How did we cope? Memes, of course!

Does The New Cap Look Like The Old Man From ‘Up’?

Perhaps it is merely the angle, but you have to admit the half of John Walker’s face we glimpsed at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s first episode looks a lot like the old man from up. In reality, the character is being played by Wyatt Russell.

Russell is neither an old man nor does he look anything like the man from Up. Nevertheless, the memes abound.

Bucky Is Me In Therapy

Earlier in the episode, we meet up with Bucky Barnes in therapy. He is in therapy as one of the no doubt many conditions of being pardoned for his crimes as the Winter Soldier.

Bucky’s therapist encourages Bucky to make amends and make friends. She also roasts him for ignoring Sam’s texts and having a flip phone in the 2020s. Bucky’s response? Get petty and downright lie. Thanks for the callout, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. 

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier streams every Friday at 7pm AEDT on Disney+. The first episode is already available to watch.

Merryana Salem (she/they) is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese–Australian writer, critic, teacher, researcher and podcaster on most social media as @akajustmerry. If you want, check out their podcast, GayV Club where they gush about LGBT rep in media. Either way, she hopes you ate something nice today.