There are times
When you’ll need someone
I will be by your side
There is a light that shines
Special for you and me
-”The Light” Common
It is hard to stay in the light. The straight and narrow path requires something special to keep on it. So far the only person staying on the path is Sam Wilson. We know Zemo is a villain so there’s no illusion to being in the light. Bucky toes the line based on whatever benefits him. Walker is just MAGA Captain America, and Hoskins while being pretty much in the light is too quick to go along with Walker then stand up to him. Sam alone is walking a path similar to the path walked by Steve Rogers.
Episode 4 has shown Sam continually doing what is right because it is right, because IT’s RIGHT! It’s not just in the big things but the little things. Look at all the ways in this episode Sam stays shining his light.
Sam wants to use his counseling training to talk Karli down.
Sam tells Barnes they need to do something as the Doras beat up Walker and Hoskins.
Sam offers to use his influence to help the displaced people.
Sam defends not giving up on Karli to Zemo after their talk.
Sam immediately says he wouldn't take the serum if offered.
Sam warns Walker to not mess with the Dora Milaje.
Sam keeps working with “It’s All About Me” Barnes who says Sam isn’t his partner.
Sam Wilson is here to help anyone he can and whether he has the shield or not, his wings or not, Redwing or not (don’t forget about poor Redwing), he’s jumping headfirst into the fray for what is right. Sam is challenging the mindsets, as he says to Zemo "Isn't that how gods talk?". What’s more is that most would be completely ok if Sam didn’t shine his light as bright on Zemo, Karli, or Walker. But regardless of who you are, Sam is going to do what is right. Keep shining your light Sam. We know you’re the only one deserving of the shield.
It is compelling that Marvel continues to depict Sam as a general representation of black people in America. Sam is out here fighting for causes that don't benefit him (like my ancestors did in the Revolutionary war, WWII, WWII, Vietnam, etc) and the only person fighting the same war against oppressive society Sam is fighting in everyday life...are Karli and the Flag Smashers.
My Umi said shine your light on the world
Shine your light for the world to see
My Abi said shine your light on the world
Shine your light for the world to see
(I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free)
-”Umi Says” Mos Def
How do you change the world? With power? Love? Ideals? Friends? Destruction? Karli and the Flag Smashers have to answer that question and right now it seems their answers are her answers. The reverence the Smashers have for Karli is emphasized when Nico tells Karli he admired Captain America and didn’t think there could be another until meeting Karli.
Someone who understand that today’s heroes don’t have the luxury of keeping their hands clean. -Nico
At Momma Donya’s funeral we hear Karli paying her respects to her moral compass and reiterates that they are all “one world and one people’ . This is followed by a conversation with Sam by the body of Momma Donya. Karli sees herself as different and Sam mentioned Zemo’s thoughts about her and her own words confirmed it. Karli reacted with an indignant look, saying Sam tricked her into sounding like her enemy. Karli feels everything she has done is justified, she believes she is shining the light. Sam listens to Karli when she asks why he isn’t out fighting the same people who are actively trying to take from him (his loan and business problems) as well. Sam’s confession of not having an answer then admitting to agreeing with her struggle but not her methods is likely the first outside empathy Karli has heard. But this apparent breakthrough is interrupted by Walker causes her to hit Walker (and call him a Nazi) and run.
From that moment Karli went from having a slight possibility of peaceful negotiations to now all bets are off. The romantic part of revolution is gone. Robin Hood moments, cheers from adoring people. That is GONE. Karli has destroyed property, hurt innocents, spilled blood, and declared they will kill Captain America. Culminating in the power punch (despite the gunshot wound she suffered) that took out Lemar Hoskins. There is nothing left for Karli but war, war with the GRC and war with the Power Broker.
“But although the cliche says that power always corrupts, what is seldom said ... is that power always reveals. When a man is climbing, trying to persuade others to give him power, concealment is necessary. ... But as a man obtains more power, camouflage becomes less necessary.” - Robert Caro
The serum didn’t corrupt Steve Rogers and it didn’t corrupt John Walker, Karli, or Bucky. They were already corrupted by other things. The serum gave them power for that corruption to have a larger impact. Zemo is clearly corrupted but so engrained with his ideals that he rejects the serum. We learn that Walker and Hoskins were likely corrupted in Afghanistan during a Medal of Honor earning mission. Karli has corrupted the other Flag Smashers as Lemar said to Walker "Power just makes a person more themselves," highlighting what Steve and Karli became, and foreshadowing where Walker is headed.
My world doesn't matter to America, so why should I care about it's mascot? -Sarah Wilson
Zemo says Turkish Delight was his late son Carl's favorite. It looked nothing like Narnia Turkish Delight.
Nico died at the hands of the type of Captain America he liked, one not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Where has Zemo gone? Given his "no more Super Soldiers" notion, he'll likely go after Karli and might even try to kill Bucky.
Still laughing at the El Chapo reference.
Karli says she wouldn't hurt Sam's sister Sarah, but I don’t believe her.
Lemar may not be dead. He seemed to be in distress before the punch. Could the serum be “burning” in his system but not activated yet?
Ayo was key in Bucky’s mental recovery. There is an intimacy between them that I hope gets explored in the future.
Bucky is shook over Ayo literally disarming him, showing other's still have control over him.
Walker found one serum vial but there could be more AND who’s to stop someone from sponging up the serum and replicating it?
Will we get any more Dr. Doom and X-Men clues???
We've seen that overhead shield smash before.