For a very long time, the MCU had a problem with creating memorable villains that audiences could support. Later, with Erik Killmonger, Thanos, and Baron Zemo, the franchise improved to bring out their villains. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier presents a new threat in the form of an army of overpowered beings called “Flag Smashers”, who carry out acts of terrorism all over the world.
Erin Kellyman , who plays Flag Smasher’s Karli Morgenthau, explained why her character chooses to go against the government. According to the actress, it all has to do with the Thanos snap, which kidnapped half the planet’s populationfor five years, and the fallout from that incident, known as the “blip.”
“The people who stayed [after the blip] kind of came together and supported each other a lot more because of the traumatic event – half the population was disappearing – and the borders were open, and people came together, and there was more unity. This is what she tries to do again, but with everyone this time. ”
Before The Falcon and the Winter Soldier , WandaVision had hinted at how the world had been completely upset because of Thanos’ breakup. Based on Kellyman’s comments, it appears that the return of half of the planet’s population after five years has not been without complications, and there are at least some people who want things to get back to the way. which they were after the mass disappearance when there were no borders between countries.
Of course, this motivation behind the Flag Smashers’ actions does not excuse the acts of terrorism they have committed, which puts them directly in the sights of Falcon, the Winter Soldier, and new Captain America, John Walker. . In the last episode, a clash with the Flag Smashers cost Walker dearly, forcing him to break up and murder one of Morgenthau’s teammates. While the fallout from this encounter is undoubtedly violent, for now, Kellyman believes his character’s priorities go beyond personal blood feuds.
“She thinks she is fighting for the people who are neither heard nor seen, the displaced people, so she is against what he is fighting for. But also, it is not its main focus. She has higher priorities, and I think the main one is making sure everyone who has been affected by the Blip is safe and in warm places and has medical supplies and food to eat. ”
The world of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier turns out to be a lot murkier than what MCU fans are used to. Hopefully, the series ultimately resolves the pain and loss suffered by the various central characters in a satisfactory way. Directed by Kari Skogland, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Erin Kellyman, Adepero Oduye, Florence Kasumba and Daniel Brühl. New episodes debut Fridays on Disney +.
