Endgame Sets Up The Hidden Best Part Of Old Steve Rogers’ Second Life

Avengers: Endgame sets up the poetic hidden best part of Steve Rogers' (Chris Evans) second life, where he gets to enjoy his time with Peggy (Hayley Atwell) into old age. Steve's new path revealed at the end of Avengers: Endgame was one that seemed inconsistent and even selfish in contrast to the character's established personality and actions. However, Endgame sets up his second life perfectly by foreshadowing a new career path in counseling, helping people in a new but familiar way.

Steve Rogers' willingness to step into a new role in Avengers: Endgame as a counselor for people who were dealing with the grief and loss caused by the blip was a critical character moment. Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War left the original Avengers to pick up the pieces and presented an opportunity for Steve to discover a new side of himself, one that could play a huge role in his second life. While the idea of Steve traveling back in time to return the stones and be with Peggy for good may have seemed like choosing personal happiness over duty, his experience with counseling could play a massive role in the new life he chose and show how he may continue to help people in a different way.

How Endgame Sets Up Steve's Post-Endgame Job

Captain America Steve Rogers second life group therapy

Avengers: Endgame sets up Steve Rogers' possible post-Endgame career. Steve's willingness to be a leader and hero was never questioned, but after suffering a crushing loss, his desire to help people was still his priority and a big reason why Marvel just won't let Steve Rogers die. Near the beginning of the film, the effects of the blip were felt worldwide, and Steve took on a more intimate role as a counselor for people dealing with loss. Because his years in the military would not be able to be officially used without people discovering who he was, his experience helping people in a new way in Endgame would translate well into a new career as a counselor. This aspect of Steve's life counteracts the idea that he gave up on helping people in favor of his own personal happiness.

Steve had been fighting his whole life, and his decision to go back in time to be with Peggy set the stage for Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) to become the new Captain America and signified the end of one fight and the beginning of another for Steve. Steve and Sam's evolving relationship made it clear that Sam Wilson as Captain America mirrors Steve Rogers' story better than Bucky (Sebastian Stan). This role reversal is ironic because Sam started out as a counselor when he was first introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Counselor Steve Rogers Would Counter A Common Endgame Complaint

Chris Evans Steve Rogers Captain America Avengers Endgame

A common Avengers: Endgame complaint is the ending of Steve Rogers' story and whether he chose his own personal happiness over helping people as Captain America. Diving deeper into the events of Endgame and Steve's journey, it is obvious that was not the case. Steve's experience as a counselor helping people served as a set-up for his post-Endgame career path. By the end of the film, Steve's story had come full circle, and the emotional resonance of his decision to give up the role of Captain America to Sam Wilson was a brilliant way to conclude his story. Steve's experiences in Avengers: Endgame as a counselor set the table for a different career path, still helping people, and the hidden best part of his second life.

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