nick and charlie + hands

what we hadn't really seen up until that point was how much foggy relies on matt. it's less obvious, and foggy himself is pushing away the idea that he's made decisions based on matt's judgement during the episode because he thinks he's made a mistake in doing so, but he's using matt's sense of right and wrong to guide his own. it's matt who says things like "isn't that a little unethical?" and "maybe there's a better way to go about this", and foggy leans on that, maybe more than he should.

because I love foggy, ray of sunshine that he is, but in those early flashbacks he's definitely working more towards his own self interest than the greater good. matt's the one who pushes him to take a look at the world and ask himself if he thinks what's happening is right. foggy's focus is on the money and the shiny new offices. matt's focus, for better or for worse, is on the people who he feels need his help. and the flashbacks are sort of a series of foggy depending on matt to be the one to make the right decisions.

the thing is, with this revelation of him being a liar, a vigilante and possibly a killer, this perception is broken. foggy sees matt for the first time as a genuinely flawed human being, who is capable of some of the great things he believed and a lot more things that are worse. he's got a strong sense of justice, sure, but he's taken the law into his own hands and used it to strengthen his own sense of pride and vengeance. foggy has been using matt as his moral compass, and this is the first time he's ever had to question that. I honestly see this as the first time he's ever thought that depending on matt like that could be a bad thing for him.

MATTHEW MICHAEL MURDOCK CHARACTER STUDY :

“I REFUSE TO GIVE YOU THE PLEASURE OF CATCHING A THRASHING FISH. WATCH ME PIERCE MY CHEEK ON YOUR HOOK AND BEG TO BE GUTTED.”

Their bickering alone about who was the better best friend to Steve or the best fighter was enough to sell me on their fictional compatability. It was entertaining banter that soon caved into Mackie waxing poetically about Sebastian and them feuding playfully with Tom Holland. Many fans and interviewers picked up on their chemistry over the years. I mean it's one of the main reasons they gave Mackie and Sebastian Stan a show and kept throwing them together in press junkets.

Chris Evans has better interview chemistry with Chris Hemsworth and RDJ over him and Sebastian Stan. Not to say they didn't play off nicely in the movies, but Sebastian seemed more relaxed next to Anthony than Chris. Plus, Sebastian Stan has this adorably weird habit of invoking Anthony's name even when Sebastian is taking about a different project. Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan are just addicting to watch both off and on screen.

So how are the Stucky/ EvanStan thinking they stand a chance when MCU put an end to any chances of Steve and Bucky being anything more than friends and changed Bucky and Sam's relationship from enemies to something more. I mean Steve put an expiration date on that 'End of the Line' bullshit once he knew he could time travel back to bae.

Steve 'Thank You, Next'd Bucky so fast in Endgame after the man had spent his whole franchise trying to save Bucky. I'm just saying if a guy spent years trying to save me and then left me for another woman while I'm still vulnerable, I'd feel a way. Sorry, not sorry. I'm feeling a way right now hearing people on social media dissing my ship so I'm prepared to sink the rest that the MCU hadn't finished yet.

It's not just that Anthony and Sebastian has great off screen chemistry, they have good on screen chemistry too. Sam Wilson has been putting in that work ever since Steve convinced him Bucky was worth saving. Mind you Sam had every reason to be weary of Bucky considering the first time he met Steve's old best friend, Bucky took the wheel and totaled his car. Then he went and ripped off the man's wings later on, almost killing him. Yet still Sam gave up his 9 to 5 at the VA office and his citizen/superhero free lifestyle to search for Bucky when Steve couldn't 'cause Steve was out Capping with the Avengers.

Sam partnered with Bucky more than once in Captain America: Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame. Both Bucky and Sam squared up against Spider-Man and Bucky cushioned Sam's fall off the glass rail before Sam sent Peter Parker flying. Sam even sacrificed his freedom and went to the Raft just to buy Steve and Bucky time to escape in try to stop Zemo from freeing the other super serum soldiers HYDRA created.

So clearly Sam forgave Bucky for destroying his car and almost killing him in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. He just didn't trust Bucky at the time, which was a good thing because Bucky had kill codes in his head. Plus Steve was so happy to have his childhood best friend back that he willing to tear down friendships he made with Tony and the others just to save Bucky. It was great that Steve protected his friend; but he nearly killed another friend and broke up the Avengers to do it. At least Princess Shuri from Wakanda resolved Bucky's issue later on with her epic genius between the movies Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther.

Sam and Bucky seemed to have a moment and were consoling each other towards the end of Endgame. They were leaning on each other for support at Tony Stark's funeral and Bucky gave Sam the okay to approach old man Steve and accept the shield.

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam didn't even have to stay in contact with Bucky after they were returned from the Blip. But Dr. Raynor said Bucky hadn't responded to the texts left by Sam. So Sam's the only one really reaching out to Bucky because he cares.

Sam didn't even bat an eye when Bucky crashed back into his life demanding why Sam gave up the Shield. He was displeased it was given to some random guy who was clearly nothing like the real Cap they both knew. But Sam was firm in his belief he did the right thing by giving up the shield to the museum because he was doing just fine as Falcon and only Steve should have been Captain America.

Sam even allowed Bucky to tag along on his flag smasher mission and filled him on the details. If he really wanted to he could have had the military restrict Bucky's entry onto the military plane or flew off to another location and had the military meet him there. But he didn't cause Sam is a nice guy and he probably wanted to touch bases with the aloof Bucky who knew and missed Steve as much as he did.

Of course Bucky wasn't having it the way he rejected Sam calling him Buck, but he didn't hesitate to fight at Sam's side. They work well together and both steadfastly agree the fabricated new Captain America, John Walker will never be their Cap. John didn't even try to understand their pain of 'supposedly' losing their best friend Steve Rogers, who he is clearly tryingto replace.

Sam choose to follow Bucky when they both had enough with John's cringeworthy sales pitch to have them as Captain America's accessories to legitimize his role. Sam, who has been working solo since the Blip, is more than willing to continue the mission with Bucky.

Sam pushes Bucky's button in a good way when he teases him and Bucky has no issues communicating with Sam, unlike others in his daily life. He seems to genuinely feel things when he is around Sam. He finds himself launching into a silly argument about the Big Three after having a serious disagreement about the Shield. And say what you will about their arguments in episode 2, when the time and need comes, they are there for each other.

Bucky quickly defended Sam against the cops and Sam was quick to try and bail Bucky out when he was arrested. Even though Bucky was clearly upset Sam gave up the shield, he was still determined to give it back to Sam throughout the entire series. He needed to give it back to Sam not just cause it would prove Steve was right that Bucky was redeemable; but because he knew Sam deserved it.

Sam has been proving he deserves to be at Bucky's side by the numerous times he's checked in on Bucky. He seems genuinely concerned when people call Bucky an 'Asset' or 'those people' referencing HYDRA. He grounds Bucky with touches and gentle reminders that he isn't that person. Has come to his defense against both Zemo and John numerous times because he's a big softie and knows what it's like being a former soldier with PTSD.

Sam has always been willing to treat Bucky normally. He argues with Bucky, laugh and jokes with him. Would have probably considered Bucky a friend a lot sooner if he wasn't holed up in NYC trying and failing to make amends for his actions as the Winter Soldier.

Sam was willing to take Bucky into his home. He allowed him to be around his family and appreciated him helping him with his family boat. Bucky has literally smiled more around Sam and his family. He didn't have to edit his words or force a smile like he did with his date in episode one.

He flirted shamelessly with Sam's sister to get a rise outof Sam and seemed at home with Sam's nephews. It probably reminded him of his family he lost and dropped a little normalcy back into his life. I'm more than sure Sam can convince Bucky to stay over his home more often because Bucky deserves to be happy and Sam can make him happy.

Bucky was able to open up about his nightmare to Sam when it was like pulling teeth for Dr. Raynor. He gave him 'tough love' and sound advice of how he should properly make amends. He knew he can trust Sam to give him sage advice not just because Sam was a former VA counselor or a fellow soldier suffering from PTSD. But because Sam showed how much he cared about Bucky as a person and how much his best friend trusted Sam.

They would be lucky to have each other cause they already argue like an old married couple and have such great chemistry. Bucky doesn't have to live up to his old self around Sam like he would Steve, because Bucky isn't the same Bucky any more. He has demons. He has doubt and I'm sure he appreciates the fact Sam is willing to argue and laugh with him. If they are anything like the actors who play them, they can be so much more.

Anthony and Sebastian seem like they are playing themselves with each other in a lot of ways when they argue with each other. The big three argument seems like something they did impromptu. Something they would argue about. When they walked down the dirt road and Bucky made a joke about himself and Sam happily poked fun at Bucky to press his buttons. It's such an Anthony thing to do to playfully tease his friends.

He constantly drags Sebastian into his silliness with their quirky nicknames and silly feuds. Anthony Mackie has this talent of finding Sebastian on the red carpet and flirting shamelessly with Sebastian until he is a smiling and, blushing mess. He compliments his hair and eyes. They have adorable arguments about who has the better costume or character.

They feed off each others energy and the same way Sebastian jokingly says he can't stand Anthony is the same way Bucky says he hates Sam. You know it has no heat and at the end they are constantly seeking each other out whether on screen or in real life. Both Anthony and Sebastian say that they see themselves being in each others lives more than the other MCU cast more than once. Sure they have a great friendship with Chris Evans, but Anthony and Sebastian are just on another wavelength. Sebastian has even said he wouldn't mind doing an lgbtqai+ movie with Anthony Mackie and Mackie has never waxed so poetically about his costars the way he does Sebastian. I'd honestly love to see them together in real life but I'm okay not really if it's only just a bromance. I love their interactions and can't wait to see both the actors and characters interacting in more projects together. You know their interactions will be lit. I mean look at the messages Mackie and Sebastian left each other on Instagram to see how much they care for each other.

Stackie and SamBucky 4 life.

P.S. - Put some respect on Anthony Mackie/Sam Wilson's name. He deserves to be in the MCU and he deserves that shield. Look up pararescuer and you know short of having super serum, he was born to be Cap. Ya'll need to stop hating on him. Even when Mackie and Sebastian joke feud with Tom Holland you can tell it's on some big brother's vibe and Tom Holland is into it. If you really cared about Sebastian you would know Mackie and Sebastian are besties and Sam is the one person Bucky needs right now. Let both the fictional and real people live their lives.