Why Sam Gave Captain America's Shield Back After Endgame
Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiere.
In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiere, "New World Order," Sam Wilson returns the Captain America shield that Steve Rogers gave him: why? After completing his mission to return all the Infinity Stones to their respective time and place settings in Avengers: Endgame, the Super Soldier went further back in time to reunite with Peggy Carter and finally retire. But he made it a point to jump back to the main MCU timeline just to pass on the iconic shield and intentionally pick his successor as the next Star-Spangled Avenger in Sam. It was important for Steve to choose the next person to assume the Captain America mantle knowing full well what it takes to carry its legacy, and yet, Sam ultimately gives it all up by returning the shield.
Marvel Studios is keeping the MCU Phase 4 ball rolling with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Just two weeks since WandaVision wrapped up, the latest Disney+ series sees Steve's closest friends embark on a new journey together as they navigate the post-Infinity Saga world both as heroes and people who lost five years of their lives by being blipped out by Thanos' snap only to return in Endgame. The first episode focused on the characters separately trying to re-establish their lives — Bucky by going to therapy for his PTSD and making amends for his sins as the Winter Soldier, while Sam begins a new career with the Air Force and reconnects with his family. Amidst this period for Sam, however, he also took the time to stop by Washington DC to turn over the Captain America shield to the U.S. government with the intention of it being put on display to honor Steve.
Why Bucky Ignores Sam Wilson's Texts After Endgame
This wasn't how it was supposed to be, however. Steve gave him the shield so Sam could become the next Captain America and while Sam had reservations when he was gifted it from Steve, there was no indication he would give it up altogether just a few months later. So why did he relinquish the iconic weapon to the government, effectively walking away from the chance to be the MCU's next Captain America as Steve wanted him to be? Sam actually provides an explanation during his speech in an early scene of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiere. While he acknowledged the need for new heroes in the MCU, Sam pointed out that they should "be ones suited for the times we're in. Symbols are nothing without the men and women that give them meaning." Referring to the shield, he lamented that the iconic weapon doesn't mean anything without Steve to wield it.
Sam further justified his decision to Rhodey, adding that for 70 years while Captain America was on the ice, no one carried it and things still turned out to be just fine. Eventually, he laid out the simple reason for not taking up the mantle of Captain America: Sam is convinced that the shield and superhero persona belongs to Steve and he's not worthy of them himself. While many would want the opportunity to become Captain America, Sam knows what it takes to carry the shield, especially having spent the last several years fighting alongside Steve. His predecessor set the high when it comes to what people expect from the Star-Spangled Avenger and considering everything else he has to deal with in relation to his family, he's just not quite up to the task — at least not yet.
Despite Sam voluntarily giving up the weapon, it's clear in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier that he's not entirely sure about this decision. Episode 1 ended with the debut of John Walker as the new Captain America, a surprise decision by the U.S. government that both blindsided and betrayed Sam. It may motivate Sam to finally claim his place as Steve's rightful successor. Perhaps this even results in Bucky getting involved and convincing him to reverse course and take back the shield.
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