Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5, "Truth." 

Having defeated John Walker in the opening scene of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5, Bucky Barnes drops the bloodied Captain America shield next to the battered body of Sam Wilson, but why doesn't he keep it? The second of Marvel's Disney+ shows has turned into a battle for Captain America's legacy and soul, with John Walker taking on the mantle and then disgracing it, thanks to his murder of Nico. That battle became more literal in "Truth," which saw Sam and Bucky confront Walker over his actions.

It was apparent from the get-go that talking wasn't going to resolve anything, and so instead the characters let their fists, shield, wings, and vibranium arm do the talking. The 2-on-1 battle was reminiscent of the closing fight scene from Captain America: Civil War, with Sam fulfilling the Captain America role in a sense, and Walker like a dark mirror of Iron Man. The outcome was this same, with the remnants of Team Cap getting the win, except this time Bucky was the last man standing as the sequence came to a close, after he and Sam teamed-up to take out Walker with the shield.

Related: Marvel Retconned Avengers: Endgame's Biggest Captain America/Bucky Problem

When all is said and done, Bucky stands with Captain America's shield, which is covered in blood from the fight, and drops it at Sam's side before walking away. Although Bucky briefly holds the shield, there's no indication that he wants to keep it for himself, much like there's been little sign that he would want to be Captain America - unless, perhaps, Steve Rogers had asked him directly. It's the latter who hangs over this scene, as he does most of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier; Bucky respects Steve's decision to choose Falcon as the new Captain America, and that's why he hands the shield back to him. It's what Steve wanted, so it's what Bucky wants.

Bucky, Sam, and Captain America shield in Falcon and Winter Soldier

To that end, then, Bucky is also making sure that Sam takes Captain America's shield. The John Walker saga started because Falcon chose to give the shield back (whether or not the government would actually have recognized him as Cap is its own question), which was a choice Bucky strongly disagreed with. Now that they've had to actually wrestle the shield - and the legacy - of Captain America back from Walker, Bucky giving it back to Sam is a pointed way of him saying not to let that happen again. The onus is on Sam to decide what to do the shield, but he can't just give it back again. Bucky is angry in the scene, and while much of that stems from the fight itself and what Walker did, there's a look in his eyes that suggests his annoyance with Sam for what has happened as well, and he lays the blame (or rather the shield) at his side.

Later in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5, Bucky and Sam do clear the air some more, talking through Steve's decision to hand the shield to Falcon and what that really meant (or rather, how they didn't fully comprehend what it meant). With this, it's clear that any bad blood between them has diffused, and their bond is stronger than ever. Once again, Bucky hands the shield back to Sam as he trains with it, but this time without any anger or frustration. Having helped him into reclaiming the shield and the identity that comes with it, then it's apparent that Bucky truly believes in Sam as the new Captain America.

Next: What's In Falcon's Wakandan Box From Bucky: New Wings Or Captain America Suit?

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