One of the stars of Marvel's new Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes is finally getting his time to shine in the MCU. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, it seems as though Marvel is exploring how the heroes are dealing with their grief and PTSD in many different ways. Thor blamed himself and got addicted to food and alcohol, Wanda was so grief-stricken that she created her own reality where she could live her dream life with Vision, Peter Parker struggled living up to Tony Stark's mantle, and Bucky appears to be suffering from PTSD from his time as the Winter Soldier.
This is going to be explored a lot in the new series, but even from the first few episodes, fans can see how much it is affecting Barnes as he tries to move on with his life. He's haunted by his past and all the bad things he's done, and without his best friend Steve, it must be hard for him.
10 He Doesn't Want To Be The Next Captain America
When Cap went back in time to return the infinity stones, no one was expecting what happened next. Not only did Steve not return to the main MCU timeline and stay back to live a life with Peggy Carter, but he also passed on the mantle of Captain America. In the comics both Bucky and Sam have become Captain America, but given that Bucky and Steve were best friends since they were kids, many expected Bucky to be given the shield.
But, as it turns out, Steve chooses to give Sam the shield, and some eager fans have noticed that Bucky gave Sam a look of approval whilst he was holding the shield, shoeing that he probably was also involved with the decision and felt that Sam should get it, instead of him.
9 Bucky Can Still Quickly Turn Back Into The Winter Soldier
So far, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has shown glimpses of Bucky's past as the Winter Soldier, like that opening introduction where he killed Yori's son played by Ken Takemoto. Later in the series, in episode 3, Zemo takes Bucky and Sam to Madripoor in search of answers about the super-soldier serum and the infamous Power Broker.
In order to blend, they all need to take on different personalities, with Bucky impersonating his old self, the Winter Soldier. While this wasn't like before when he was mind-controlled, it was still concerning how quickly he was able to go into character and beat up a bunch of guys. Even Zemo mentions that there will always be a part of the Winter Soldier inside of him.
8 His Wakandan Past Still Means A Lot To Him
It's fair to say that Bucky's little calm in Wakanda was an extremely important and life-changing part of his journey to become himself once again. The part of his mind that was programmed by Hydra was removed, and after some hard work, as seen in that tear-jerking opening of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 4, his mind is finally free.
When he meets Ayo again, who is a part of the Dora Milaje, fans can see just how much the Wakandans mean to him and how that time spent there was the only peaceful time he's ever had in his life. Even now he still can't stop thinking about his past.
7 Bucky Is Still Having Constant Nightmares
Bucky's form of PTSD comes with the constant reliving of his past as the deadly HYDRA controlled Winter Soldier, and most prominently with nightmares all the time. Episode 1 first showed Bucky waking up from his nightmare about the murder of Yori's son. When suffering from his PTSD, Bucky appears so alone without anyone to turn to, especially since Steve is gone, and his nightmares are probably a regular fixture in his life now.
As he awakens from his horrible nightmare, full of sweat and gasping for air, Bucky is seen sleeping on the floor. This is also a reference to Steve and Sam's conversation from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where they both agreed that sleeping on a bed is way too comfortable compared to what it was like at war.
6 His List Of Amendments Show Him Trying To Move On
Just like Steve Rogers who makes a list of things he wants to try or hear or do in the new modern world after coming out of the ice, Bucky uses the same notebook to make lists of all his former HYDRA allies, as well as those who he did something horrible too, in an attempt to make amends for his past.
From helping arrest a former HYDRA ally who is using the position Bucky gave her for all the wrong reasons to befriending the father of a young innocent man who he killed many years ago, it is obvious that Barnes is attempting to make up for all the wrong he has done and, more importantly, that it all still bothers him every day.
5 Going To Therapy Was A Condition Of His Release
Although Bucky wasn't in control of his mind and his actions in his past as the Winter Soldier, it wouldn't be right for Bucky to be completely set free by the Government knowing all the terrible things he has done before. As a result, one condition of Bucky becoming a free man is his mandatory therapy sessions with Dr. Raynor.
Despite the fact that the sessions are compulsory, Bucky is willing to go along with it and talk about some things that are going on in his mind. He still keeps a lot to himself, however, which adds to his all-consuming guilt and his inability to fully open up about his actions.
4 He Is Completely Alone In This New World
One of the best ways to overcome bad memories is to talk to people and open up to someone who can be trusted. Unfortunately for Bucky, this luxury isn't an option seeing as his entire family is all dead and his best friend Steve is no longer there. Bucky, as a 106-year old man, is completely alone in this new modern world of chaos where he doesn't have anyone he trusts enough to confide in with his own problems.
This must make it extremely hard to move on and forgive himself. Unlike Steve who came out of the ice and had the support of SHIELD, then the Avengers, Bucky doesn't have anyone, perhaps maybe Sam, who hopefully after their globe-trotting adventure to stop the Flag-Smashers will become a trusted ally of his and a good, trustworthy friend.
3 There Are Still Many Super-Soldiers Out And About In The World
If Bucky was trying to forget about HYDRA controlling his mind, giving him the serum that gave him enhancements, and all the evil past missions he completed, the constant reminder that he isn't the only Winter Soldier, or that there are others still trying to use a version of the super-soldier serum wouldn't be great.
It's already been shown how guilty Bucky felt about the treatment of Isaiah Bradley by the US Government and HYDRA, but the constant obsession by so many across the globe for a perfect super-soldier would remind Bucky of his past and how haunted he still is.
2 Many Of His Old HYDRA Allies & Ex-Foes Are Still Alive
As mentioned before, being reminded of things or people from his past must be difficult for Bucky when he is trying to move on. Therefore, the existence of many HYDRA allies or villains who used the Winter Soldier for their own selfish purposes must be constantly on his mind.
One perfect example is Baron Zemo, who in Captain America: Civil War, used HYDRA's notebook and that string of phrases that take over his mind to destroy the Avengers from the inside. Although it was Bucky's decision to break Zemo out from jail for his help, it must be hard for him to work with Zemo, even though the notebook no longer has an impact on his mind.
1 He's Basically Been Completely Forgiven For His Past Actions
During his time as the Winter Soldier, Bucky was linked to over 100 assassinations, including some pretty well-known murders like that of Tony Stark's parents and his attempt to kill Steve Rogers before he remembered that he was his best friend. As well as HYDRA targets, the flashback scene in episode 1 shows how Bucky also killed innocent civilians on his missions, and this probably haunted him the most.
But despite all his guilt over his past, he is basically off the hook for everything he has done in the past. While this could seem good, the fact that he won't have to undergo any punishment for his actions would just make his guilt even bigger since he hasn't had to make up for his actions.
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