Halfway Through THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER and All I Want is More Winter Soldier and Baron Zemo

If you haven't seen the third episode of THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER, there are slight spoilers ahead.

Yesterday, the third episode of THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER  released on Disney+ and this marks the halfway point of this miniseries. Sad to acknowledge this fact, I know.

But two things really stand out for me so far.

First, I love how Baron Zemo is being developed into the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of a James Bond villain. He really stands out in the third episode. While he does not have superpowers — Zemo is definitely shown as an expert in hand-to-hand combat and with weapons in this episode — his mind games with this heroes continue from his appearance in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR.

Zemo is of course revealed to be extremely wealthy, but his mind games are what really make his character development stand out and he is constantly messing with both Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. He even calls Bucky by his real name James, often.

I don't know who the next big bad of the next phase of Marvel Studios films will be, but it seems likely that Baron Zemo is being set up for more appearances throughout future MCU movies and shows. And I'm all for it.

The second thing I'm loving about THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER is every time Bucky goes into "Winter Soldier mode." Whether he is faking it as a means to play into Zemo's plan to learn more about the current issue with more super solider serum out in the world, or it is a flashback on an assassination mission, as seen in the first episode, I am glued to the screen.

I can't take my eyes off of Winter Soldier when he is fighting. He is aggressive, without pause, and brutal. This all makes me wish for a potential Winter Soldier spin-off series focusing in the past on his various assassination missions. It probably won't happen, but I can dream. 

It is unclear where this series is going right now, but in my opinion each episode keeps getting better and better as Marvel Studios continues this much needed flushing out of the character development of these characters.