As The Falcon and the Winter Soldier continues to linger in production, fans are spending a lot of time thinking about Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson. One hotly contested question is whether or not Sam and Bucky are actual friends.
Sure, they both followed Steve Rogers when he needed them, and they are both loyal, strong, and good in their own ways, but does that an actual friendship make? Here are some reasons why they are true friends and some reasons why they aren’t. (Yet.)
Real Friends: Fought Together
At the end of the day, Sam and Bucky have now fought together quite a few times. While being brothers in arms doesn’t necessarily have to make them friends, these experiences must have bonded them together.
Sam and Bucky have been on the same team now for a while, from Civil War’s smaller-scale battle to Endgame’s massive one. It’s a good argument for considering them to be close.
Not Yet: They’re both really Steve’s friends
At the end of the day, the common denominator between Bucky and Sam is Steve Rogers. Bucky is Steve’s long time best friend and Sam is his closest future companion.
While the MCU spent time developing these two friendships really well, they didn’t put in nearly as much, or really maybe any, time towards developing Sam and Bucky until now.
Real Friends: They’ve both lost a partner
Sam Wilson lost his partner Riley long before he became an Avenger. Riley and Sam were part of a pararescue squad and Sam had to watch, stricken as Riley fell to his death.
Now Bucky has suffered a similar loss, albeit in a different way. With Steve Rogers bizarre jaunt to the past and his return as an old man, in essence, Steve abandoned Bucky to the future. They can no longer be the partners they once were. This grief is something Sam can understand, although fans still hope Steve was actually a Skrull.
Not Yet: Sam is Kind of Rude to Bucky
Sam Wilson is very kind to very many people, but for some reason can’t extend this kindness towards Bucky Barnes. As a trauma counselor, it seems like he’d be the first person to extend himself to Bucky, but ultimately, Sam only seems to crack jokes at his expense and keeps him at arm's length.
This could be a product of bad writing or lack of screentime or an attempt at levity, but it certainly doesn’t seem to recommend Sam and Bucky as close friends.
Real Friends: they have a lot in common
Aside from loss, Sam and Bucky are both soldiers, they both want to do good in the world and they both want to protect the ones they love. That’s a lot of common ground to share and it certainly leads fans to believe they could be true friends.
Hopefully, their differences bring them together during the new Disney+ show.
Not Yet: Bucky once almost killed Sam
Of course, Bucky was the Winter Soldier when this happened, but Bucky did once tear off one of Sam’s wings and kick him off a tall tower.
Even if Sam knows Bucky was brainwashed when he did it, it’s not really the greatest place to start a friendship, and ultimately probably put a damper on things.
Real Friends: Sam knows Bucky
At the end of The Winter Soldier, Sam agrees to help Steve look for Bucky and he’s in the process of doing exactly this during Age of Ultron. This means that Steve probably shared a lot about Bucky with Sam.
Not many people know what Bucky went through, or importantly, who he was before his fall to Hydra. If Sam knows this information it makes him and Bucky much closer.
Not Yet: They’ve spent barely any time together
The fact of the matter is Sam and Bucky just haven’t spent any time together. After they part at the airport in Civil War, Bucky goes into the ice and wakes up in Wakanda, and Sam doesn’t see him again until everyone gathers to fight in Infinity War. But this isn’t exactly great bonding time.
Sam and Bucky just haven’t had any time to become real friends.
Real Friends: They Were Both Snapped
It’s unclear what those who were snapped experienced while they were gone, but it’s a strong life experience to share.
Both Sam and Bucky were taken by the snap, which is enough to rattle anyone and bring them closer to other people who understand.
Not Yet: Bucky Hasn't Had Any Time to be himself
Bucky Barnes has been through a lot, and he’s barely had any time, except in Wakanda, to spend with other people without having to run or fight. Given this lack, he probably hasn’t been up to making any new true friendships.
Thus, most likely, he and Sam aren’t true friends yet.