WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 5, "Truth," now streaming on Disney+.
In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, John Walker endures a very swift but emotional fall from grace. The decorated war vet killed a Flag Smasher in public, with the latest episode stripping him of honor, rank and financial benefits as the military tribune makes it clear he's no longer Captain America. Despite his protests, the council wants nothing to do with Walker, striking him off the records. However, they might have made a big mistake because as he tells his wife, despite America's cycle of war creating him, they can't destroy him, especially now that he's got a purpose that makes him the ultimate Dark Avenger.
Walker's hurt as he feels like America used him, turned him into a weapon and then discarded him for carrying out his duty. He was conditioned to be a killer, and now, to his consternation, the government is scared of what his next move will be. After all, he's a super-soldier with no nation; that is, until Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine makes it clear he can still be of service, since she knows he's a one man army who believes he's meant to be Captain America.
This resonates even deeper after a key meeting with the Hoskins family. Walker's there to comfort them after Lemar was killed by the Flag Smasher leader, Karli, which inspired his meltdown. However, Walker lies and says the man he murdered was the assailant. It gives Lemar's family closure and a sense of justice, reaffirming for them that Walker's indeed like a son and hero. Lemar also worshipped Walker, and this is why, as he leaves, he knows he has to fix the lie and kill Karli for his fallen brother.
Walker now has a personal mission -- not on a national one. In the mid-credits scene, Walker hammers his own shield, solidifying his transformation into U.S. Agent or even the Super Patriot, another moniker of his from the comics. Either way, Walker believes he's supposed to be a symbol for the war heroes who society and the government have forgotten.
This new mission will start by avenging Lemar and finishing what they tried to achieve in Europe, making Walker the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Dark Avenger. Walker did lead the Dark Avengers for a bit against A.I.M. in the comics, but jis MCU iteration has a simpler and more streamlined story about retribution. After seeing him almost beat down Bucky and Sam, Walker unleashed may very well be the most unstoppable super-soldier yet.
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. A new episode debuts each Friday on Disney+.