So, I saw episode 5 yesterday. Here are my thoughts:
First off, that fight scene with Walker was EPIC. It really shows how strong he is, that it took both Falcon and Winter Soldier together to break his arm and ultimately take him down, but he still managed to take a wing and get some solid hits in before they did so. That was dope to see. I don't know if that shows how strong Walker is, how much Steve restrained himself, or both.
But once Walker's profile is updated, I'm definitely doing Steve VS John.
The dynamic between Sam and Bucky was also solid, and I loved that now they're being more like friends to each other after all of that.
Batroc returning was solid. I had a feeling when they showed him in episode 1 that it wouldn't be the last we saw of him, and joining the Flag Smashers to kill the Falcon! That is epic. I think Zemo might be right, though. She does seem like she's too far gone and too radicalized.
Speaking of Zemo, Daniel Brühl continued to do a solid delivery for him right up to the end. I loved how he went "ladies" when he saw the Dora Milaje. The one plot hole with that scene, though, is why didn't he mystify them with his dance moves and get away?
Also, I'm 99% sure that Sharon Carter is the Power Broker. That call was way too ominous.
I also appreciated the nod to Joaquin Torres becoming Falcon when he said "keep 'em" about the wings. I don't know too much about the character in the comics, but that was a nice little Easter egg.
Remember how I said that I don't mind politics in shows as long as they don't punch me in the face? I felt some slapping with the Isaiah Bradley scene personally, but that's just me, though I think I was kind of meant to be like that on purpose and to be motivation for Falcon to prove him wrong. Although, that kind of shows how good of a character Steve is. He didn't see race when he gave the shield to Sam, he saw a good man, someone that would fight for what's right. The fact that he's black never affected that decision for Steve.
Also, was I the only one that thought the chick that talked to John Walker after the trial looked like the lady Bucky got arrested in episode 1? I could be wrong.
Speaking of John again, he really seems like a much more tragic character than he was in the comics. Him saying "time to go to work" like Lamar would actually hit different. I felt that. He was a solid friend and he lost that. On top of that, he made a massive mistake killing that dude in public. That type of failure reflects badly on the name of Captain America. He was surrounded by expectations associated with being Captain America, but failed to meet them and that kind of broke him. I felt sorry for him every time he said "I am Captain America." It's like he feels the need to prove everyone wrong, to prove that he is Captain America after his shortcomings established that he's clearly no Steve Rogers.
Also, who else felt robbed after not getting to see Falcon's new suit? And who tripped out at the post-credits scene?
Well, those are my thoughts on the episode!