The finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier sees Sam Wilson finally accept the mantle of Captain America - let's break down why he does. As the Falcon, Sam (Anthony Mackie) has been a vital supporting player in the MCU since his first appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, his story always came second to Steve Rogers' (Chris Evans), and when Steve took his final bow in Avengers: Endgame, the door was open for someone to take his place as Captain America. Endgame's poignant closing moments saw Steve pass the shield onto Sam, yet it was far from a smooth transition.

Sam spends The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's six-episode run contemplating what it means to hold the Captain America shield. He initially returns it to the United States government, but when they place it in the hands of their own man, John Walker (Wyatt Russell), it is a slap in the face, but perhaps not one Sam was unprepared for. As a Black man in America, it's a lot harder for him to accept the traditional stars-and-stripes theme, especially when he learns of Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly). Isaiah followed in Steve's footsteps, in that he too had the Super Soldier Serum in his veins and risked it all to save his brothers in arms. But while Steve Rogers was revered, Isaiah Bradley was imprisoned and abused. This new knowledge makes it difficult for Sam to accept all that the shield stands for, good and bad.

Related: How Powerful Isaiah Bradley Is Compared To Steve Rogers

All of that comes to a head in the final episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which finally sees Sam accept the role of Captain America. This comes after Walker kills an unarmed Flag-Smasher and Sam indulges in some careful self-reflection. Though he takes a while to reach that point and, at times, is advised to turn the other way, Sam makes his decision to become America's hero. Here's why he chooses this.

Why Sam Didn't Listen To Isaiah Bradley's Warning

Falcon and the winter soldier sam took shield to Isaiah bradley

In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5, Sam finally learns the specifics of what happened to Isaiah Bradley. Isaiah Bradley's backstory is a sobering look at how the United States treats its Black heroes, and it shakes Sam to his core. What also shakes him is Isaiah's stance on Captain America: "They will never let a Black man be Captain America. And even if they did, no self-respecting Black man would ever want to be." When he says this, it looks like Sam will actually listen to him and cast aside the shield for good. The story seems positioned to even support him in this surprising choice.

When Sam gets back to his hometown in Louisiana, though, it's clear he won't be letting this go. His reasoning for this is perfectly exemplified in a conversation he has with his sister Sarah (Adepero Oduye). Sam admits that all he's ever wanted is to show the world what he's capable of, particularly when he looks back on the struggles of Black people. While he acknowledges Isaiah's perspective, he also feels he's put in too much work to just give up. As he says later on in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale, "We built this country. Bled for it. I'm not gonna let anybody tell me I can't fight for it. Not after what everybody before me went through." Sam sees that nothing will change unless he stands up.

Despite the murky legacy of the Captain America mantle, Sam recognizes the significance of him picking it up. He can actually bring about some positive change, armed with the knowledge of how America has neglected the very people who formed its foundation. This is best shown in one of the show's quicker but still impactful moments. Back in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5, Sam's young nephew gets to look up to his uncle holding the shield, hinting at what this will mean for younger generations who might not understand the greater implications of the country's dark past.

Related: Falcon & Winter Soldier Ending Explained & MCU Future Setup

What Sam Can Do As Captain America Better

Sam Wilson with the Shield

Time and time again, Sam has proven himself to be the best choice for the MCU's newest Captain America, and he can do several things to improve upon the divisive role. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's finale, Sam gives an impassioned speech about how the world - specifically the GRC - needs to do better in the aftermath of the Blip. "The only power I have is that I believe we can do better," Sam declares. And that right there is the crux of what makes Sam's Cap so special: He's a normal man who just wants to see the world be improved. With that in mind, he can take real action in both saving and rehabilitating society with a special eye on the communities and people often left behind. Sam knows what it feels like to be overlooked and oppressed, and he can fight for a better world as Captain America. This isn't to say Steve couldn't do the same, but he doesn't have the same perspective Sam does.

Why The World Needs Captain America

Sam as Captain America in Falcon and Winter Soldier Finale

The Steve Rogers iteration of Captain America, while always beloved within the MCU, is admittedly a bit outdated. Though Steve was an honorable hero and a good man, the overly patriotic messaging behind his creation rings hollow when one looks at, say, Isaiah and all he's been through. Nevertheless, there's still a need for a Captain America in the MCU, and that goes beyond simply wanting to keep a version of the comics hero around. When one strips away the propaganda behind the name, Captain America is ultimately meant to be a symbol of hope. With the world still reeling from the Blip and its consequences, people need something they can look up to.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showed both the good and the bad of Captain America. With Walker, the series showed how the militaristic side of Cap can be destructive, and Isaiah's story is a reminder that not everyone has gotten the chance to be a hero within American history. At the same time, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier reminded viewers of how Captain America can stand as a positive icon. In the finale, Sam immediately used his platform to speak about how the world needs to come together and do better than it has in the past. He's already becoming the hero the MCU deserves, as seen through that finale speech and his gesture at the Smithsonian with Isaiah. Additionally, the excitement on the bystanders' faces when Sam, in his new Captain America costume, saved the GRC members, proves how much the idea of Cap still means to the public. That is something that cannot be erased.

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It wasn't the easy change Avengers: Endgame appeared to set up, but Sam Wilson is officially Captain America. For fans who wanted to see more of him in action with the shield, they needn't worry; Captain America 4 is officially in development, and though stars have yet to be announced, it's all but certain Mackie will be back as Sam. His role in that film will surely be enhanced by the groundwork laid in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which showed the care that went into his decision to pick up the shield. At times, Sam had every reason to say no. Luckily, his hope for a better world pushed him in a new direction. The MCU is entering a new Cap era now, and it's already looking pretty good.

More: Captain America 4: Sam's MCU Future After Falcon & Winter Soldier Explained

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