If I’m going to be completely honest, I haven’t been a Marvel fan nearly as long as others have been. I was much more interested in movies about princesses and cartoon characters—and especially movies about a magical orphan who went to a private magic school—to be too intrigued by superheroes. 

That all changed, of course, when I began having an unquenchable hunger for movies with complicated storylines and ones that result in surges of adrenaline. Marvel movies were able to fill my craving for adventure and high intense fighting as well as including the big three: monsters, aliens, and wizards. 

It didn’t take long for me to become utterly and completely obsessed with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Personally, I latched my obsession onto one character in particular: Captain America. 

Since I was so attached to Steve Rodgers, I was bound to love his best friends, Sam Wilson (The Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier). 

While I was scrolling through TikTok and enjoying videos inspired by the Marvel Universe, my For You Page began filling up with people anticipating the arrival of the new show, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. TikToks that were once inspired by WandaVision were quickly replaced by ones inspired by the new show.

I had already watched and adored WandaVision, so my expectations were high coming into The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Luckily, I was not disappointed. 

Friday excitement quickly switched from anticipation for WandaVision to anticipation for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. 

I was invested from the first episode—which was much easier to follow along with than the initial episodes of WandaVision. 

The story follows Sam Wilson’s (played by Anthony Mackie) attempt to take down an organization of supersoldiers who were uprooted after “The Blip”—when half of all of the life in the universe turned to dust—was reversed and everyone returned. It also follows Bucky Barnes (played by Sebastian Stan) attempting to make up for his actions when he was the Winter Soldier as well as helping Sam take down the supersoldiers. 

I loved everything about the show, except for one large plot point: John Walker. 

Yes, he was critical to the plot of the show, but as soon as I first saw him—flaunting around in a new Captain America suit—I loathed him. I knew right from the start that he was not worthy to fill Steve Rodgers’ shoes. 

The man was power-hungry, impatient, ruthless, and arrogant—all things Steve was not. 

The only man capable of filling Rodgers’ shoes was Sam Wilson, the very man Rodgers passed the shield to. Sam Wilson has, all-in-all, a pure heart. He is a kind man who knows how to take a joke as well as only having pure intentions. 

On top of all of this, Walker’s Captain America costume is the most atrocious costume I have ever seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even Peter Parker’s homemade, Spider-Man costume looked better than Walker’s costume. 

It looked nothing like the original, nor any of the varying costume designs that had advanced through the movies. 

Despite my grudge against John Walker, I hold a deep love for the show and it will be one I watch again and again.