WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 1, "New World Order," now streaming on Disney+.

When audiences last saw Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), aka Falcon, in Avengers: Endgame he reluctantly accepted Captain America's shield. The first episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier proved that he was more than hesitant as he donated Cap's shield to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. The act proved that Sam has no interest in becoming the next Captain America.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier picks up a few months after the events of Endgame. That means that Cap's retirement and the loss of heroes like Tony Stark are still fresh in the minds of Sam and Bucky (Sebastian Stan). The Marvel show focuses on how the pair get back on their feet in a post-blip world. Donating Cap's shield was Sam's first step in officially closing the Avengers chapter in his life and adjusting to his new life returning home after being snapped away by Thanos.

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Sam decided to make that move for one specific reason — he felt like Steve's shield belonged to someone else. Those were the first words he said when Steve initially passed the shield onto him in Endgame. He repeated the same sentiment in a speech at the Smithsonian when donating the shield. Sam felt like the shield belonged to someone else, and that someone was Steve. Living up to Cap's legacy intimidated Sam, and he doesn't feel worthy. So he felt the best thing to do was end Captain America's legacy with Steve.

Legacy is the driving theme of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. As Sam stated in his speech honoring Captain America, Steve represented the best in people — he brought Sam into the Avengers and brought Bucky back to the light. Cap was a role model for Sam and Bucky. But now that he's gone, the duo has to navigate life without him. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier sees Bucky and and Sam floundering at first, but will likely chronicle them building their own legacies.

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Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier hints that Sam's legacy will likely see him reclaiming Steve's shield and officially stepping into the mantle of Captain America. The episode ended with Sam and his sister Sarah watching a news report in which the new government-sanctioned Captain America (Wyatt Russell), known as the U.S. Agent in the comics, was publicly introduced to the world. As Sam believed that the shield solely belonged to Steve, this likely won't sit well with him.

Promotional images for the show have long teased Sam wielding the shield. Whenever the shield officially comes back into Sam's possession, the show will inevitably force him to reassess his legacy. Sam doesn't want to be Captain America, but he doesn't necessarily need to just if he has Steve's shield.The Falcon and the Winter Solider will likely see Sam use the shield to become a new kind of hero. He has been adamant that he doesn't want to become Captain America. So Sam will likely find a way to build his own legacy that both honors Steve and allows him to excel as Falcon.

Directed by Kari Skogland, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Noah Mills, Carl Lumbly and Daniel Brühl. The series premiered March 19 on Disney+.

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