Every Civil War Callback In Falcon & The Winter Soldier (So Far)

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was always guaranteed to feature callbacks to 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, and here are the ones in the first two episodes. Marvel’s second Disney+ series is two weeks into its run, and much of the time has been spent diving into its two main characters and the legacy of the Captain America mantle. Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) are both at a crossroads in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame; Sam must confront the consequences that arise from him giving up the Captain America shield, while Bucky struggles to move forward from the ghosts of his past.

Though Sam and Bucky first crossed paths in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it’s really their interactions in Civil War that led to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The bickering between the two was a highlight of the film, and one of the biggest appeals of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the prospect of seeing more of it. At the same time, the series’ ties to Captain America: Civil War run even deeper than some simple quips traded between frenemies.

Related: Falcon & Winter Soldier Opening Scene Proves Steve’s Point In Civil War

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s showrunner Malcolm Spellman and director Kari Skogland have said they were influenced by Civil War when approaching the arc for this series, and that has already manifested itself in a few ways. Some of the callbacks are subtle, while others are direct references to the story. Read on to hear how The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s first two installments harken back to Sam and Bucky’s first proper adventure together.

Bucky’s Amends (& Relationship With Notebooks)

This is perhaps the subtlest Captain America: Civil War callback, and it arrives early on in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 1, “New World Order.” Bucky, as part of his government-issued pardon for his crimes as the Winter Soldier, must make amends with those he harmed in the past. Bucky’s notebook is glimpsed multiple times throughout the episode, and it reinforces something he says in Civil War when Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) questions whether Bucky recalls killing his parents: “I remember all of them.” In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, he has the full list of those he cannot forget, which speaks to his deep-seated guilt and inability to fully move forward.

Additionally, one can say Bucky’s frustration with Dr. Raynor’s (Amy Aquino) notebook during their therapy sessions stems from the red notebook Hydra used to brainwash him. Bucky doesn’t take kindly to people writing about him in notebooks, since the last time someone did, they were working out how to best control him. The Hydra book was featured prominently in Captain America: Civil War, though that’s admittedly less of a callback here and more of a subtle character beat. Still, there will be more about Hydra later on.

Sharon Carter & What Happened With Captain America’s Shield

Emily VanCamp’s Sharon Carter has yet to make her Falcon and Winter Soldier debut, but the stage is already set to welcome her back. She was last seen in Captain America: Civil War, when she smuggled Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) shield and Sam’s Falcon wings out of the CIA’s custody. As she violated the Sokovia Accords in doing so, Sharon has been on the run ever since. Sam references this in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2, “The Star-Spangled Man,” when Bucky suggests they steal the aforementioned shield from new Captain America John Walker (Wyatt Russell). “Sharon was branded enemy of the state, and Steve and I were on the run for two years,” Sam says as an example of what happened the last time they stole it. That effectively sums up a portion of the fallout from Civil War and reminds audiences what’s going on with Sharon ahead of her next appearance.

Related: Falcon & Winter Soldier Better Not Make Sharon Carter A Love Interest

Zemo & Hydra’s Secrets

Sharon isn’t the only character from Captain America: Civil War making a return in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as Daniel Brühl’s Baron Zemo is poised to have quite a comeback. The Sokovian villain split the Avengers in Civil War with the use of some Hydra secrets; it was him who knew where the secret Hydra base was in Siberia, and he knew the truth behind Howard and Maria Stark’s deaths. Zemo used that information against Bucky, Steve, and Tony, thus igniting a vicious brawl between the latter two that held lasting ramifications for the MCU.

Zemo gets his first proper shoutout and appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2, though it’s really just setting up a bigger role to come. Lost without any leads on the Flag-Smashers and their use of the super-soldier serum, Bucky decides the best way to get answers is to visit Zemo in prison. Sam initially objects, but as Bucky reminds him, Zemo has the knowledge they need. “He knows all of Hydra’s secrets. Don’t you remember Siberia?” Bucky asks in a pointed callback to the climax of Captain America: Civil War. The episode ends with Zemo in his cell, leaving fans dangling on what his conversation with Bucky will be like. However, if it’s anything like their interactions in Civil War, it won’t be pleasant. The return of Zemo is perhaps the biggest direct connection between The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Civil War since he’s expected to continue the plans he set in motion in the film.

Civil War Easter Eggs In Falcon & Winter Soldier Credits

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s credits are stuffed with Easter eggs, and there are several that tie back to Captain America: Civil War. Early on, lines from the Sokovia Accords appear, specifically ones stating all superpowered individuals must reveal their true identities and legal names to the United Nations. The Sokovia Accords have continued to play a role in the MCU beyond Civil War, and Sam even indirectly referenced them in “The Star-Spangled Man” when he pointed out Walker has more red tape to get through as a U.S. government-backed hero.

Other credits references to Captain America: Civil War refer to Bucky’s past as the Winter Soldier. For example, the date December 16, 1991 is prominently displayed at one point. That’s the day Bucky killed Howard and Maria Stark on Hydra’s orders. Zemo frequently mentioned that fateful day during Civil War. That December 16 has resurfaced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier further emphasizes how Bucky’s past continues to follow him even as he tries to move on, and even hints that Zemo will continue to use his knowledge of Bucky’s past against him. Elsewhere in the credits, a partial list of the trigger words Hydra used on Bucky to activate the Winter Soldier (rusted, seventeen, daybreak, furnace) appears. Those words shouldn’t have much effect on him these days thanks to his time in Wakanda, but Zemo might try to activate the Winter Soldier once again, or at the very least manipulate Bucky through the massive guilt Bucky still holds.

Related: Why Falcon & The Winter Soldier Need Civil War’s Zemo

Like any typical MCU project, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier references other films beyond Civil War, but there’s no denying that’s the movie that influenced the series the most. With four more episodes still to go, there are bound to be even more allusions to the 2016 film, especially once Sharon and Zemo properly join the mix. If one hasn’t done so already, it might be time to sneak in a quick Captain America: Civil War rewatch. It looks like it’ll be useful going forward.

More: Falcon & The Winter Soldier Accidentally Splits Team Cap & Iron Man Again

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