The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has brought Baron Helmut Zemo back to the MCU on a mission to rid the world of super-soldiers, but does that mean he’ll eventually try to kill Bucky too? Bucky was instrumental to Zemo’s plan to destroy the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War, but the relationship between the two has become almost friendly in Falcon & Winter Soldier. Zemo has remained brutal and unshakeable in his zealous quest to eradicate super-soldiers, but there’s reason to believe he’d spare Bucky if given the choice.

Over the course of Falcon & Winter Soldier, Zemo has had plenty of time to explain his own reasons for detesting humans with superpowers. From his perspective, anyone who would choose to enhance themselves in such a way is inherently dangerous, regardless of their motivations. To Zemo, there’s no scenario where a person choosing more power wouldn’t lead them down a dangerous and tyrannical path.

Related: What Happened To Zemo At The End Of Episode 4?

In Falcon & Winter Soldier episode 4, Zemo makes a comment that all super-soldiers need to be wiped out. Sam asks him if that includes Bucky, and Zemo seems to dodge the question. The difference with Bucky is that he never chose his powers. The Hydra serum was administered to him against his will, and every cruel act he performed under its influence was forced upon him. Now that Zemo has spent some more time getting to know Bucky, he surely realizes this. Bucky is, in a way, the opposite of what Zemo stands against – a man who never wanted superpowers, and who hides them whenever possible.

Zemo also appears to actually respect Captain America in Falcon & Winter Soldier. While talking about the ethics of super-soldiers, Sam and Bucky bring up Steve as an example of one gone right, to which Zemo replies, “But there has never been another Steve Rogers.” Though a passing comment, that line suggests Zemo is willing to accept the possibility of a selfless and benevolent super-soldier.

Whether or not Zemo turns on Bucky ultimately again will depend in large part on his role in the final two episodes of Falcon & Winter Soldier. Now that he’s escaped from Sam and Bucky’s custody, will he resume his Civil War rampage against all superpowered people, including them? Or will he rejoin forces with Sam and Bucky voluntarily to stop John Walker, Karli Morgenthau, and the Power Broker? Only time will tell, but at this point in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it seems unlikely that Zemo would actually try to kill Bucky.

Next: Falcon & Winter Soldier Episode 4 Asks 5 Big Questions About MCU Super Soldiers

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