Marvel Studios releases their newest limited series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier exclusively on the Disney+ streaming platform, with the first episode premiering March 19, 2021. The pilot episode, “New World Order,” brought in over 1.6 million viewers during its first weekend available, making it the most watched premiere on the platform to date.

Set just six months after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the first episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier follows two fan favorite characters “Bucky” Barnes (The Winter Soldier), and Sam Wilson (The Falcon) as they attempt to bring themselves back to normalcy and stability after fighting the biggest battle of their lives.

The episode goes back and forth between the two characters showing their hardships and ways of dealing with them, as well as the new situations they have been placed in.

Sam Wilson finds himself in a bind as he has recently been gifted Captain America’s shield by the man himself. This is a great honor, but The Falcon deems himself not worthy to don this gift and take on such a responsibility, forcing him to make difficult decisions regarding the shield.

Bucky Barnes, The Winter Soldier, is tired of fighting. He explains that he is exhausted from going battle to battle and repeating what feels like an endless cycle. Stuck in a mental conflict filled with PTSD, guilt, and grief, Barnes sets out to seek professional help, and make amends with individuals from his past.

This episode shines the most is when it takes a deep dive into the minds of the main characters, showing the audience the troubles that they are experiencing, and making the viewers feel what they feel.

Although The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is fiction action adventure entertainment, it also shines a light on the importance of mental health in today’s world.

This episode successfully uses the very real life issue of poor mental health and intertwines it into the story of these characters, making a high flying superhero themed story have a second and much deeper layer to it.

Outstanding story, stellar action scenes, and character depth drives the first episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s newest series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. New episodes stream on Disney+ every Friday. Make sure to check it out.