Why That Surprise Introduction At The End Of Falcon And Winter Soldier Episode 3 Is So Important

Episode 3 of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier recently dropped on Disney+, and brought with it tons of new questions. One of the biggest points of confusion is centered on the very end of the episode, when Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) comes face to face with a mysterious woman in an alley. While some may not realize who she is at first glance, devoted fans of the MCU may recognize her as Ayo (Florence Kasumba), a member of the Dora Milaje who is tasked with protecting the Wakandan royalty.

Ayo only speaks one line in episode 3, but it is sure to open up a whole new side to the show. While the introduction was a surprise, it actually makes perfect sense — Ayo, Bucky, and the evil Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) have a long history, starting back in Captain America: Civil War. But just what does Ayo's addition to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier mean, and why is it so important?

During episode 3, we dive deeper into Zemo's backstory and see him team up with Bucky and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) to find the leader of the Flag Smashers, Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman), as well as tracking down who's behind the new Super Soldier Serum. After a close call with death in Madripoor, the trio land in Latvia in the hunt to find Morgenthau. The episode ends with Bucky, having strayed from the group, following a trail of tracking devices. He ends up in an alley, where we see the exciting introduction of Ayo. She says one short sentence, "I'm here for Zemo," kicking off a whole new plot line.

Ayo first appeared in Captain America: Civil War, in which we saw her as the fierce and loyal guard for King T'Chaka (John Kani) and Prince T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman). King T'Chaka's death was originally pinned on Bucky, and caused an uproar in the Wakandan Kingdom. It was eventually revealed that Zemo was the true cause of his demise, and T'Challa was left to decide Zemo's fate. This complicated backstory makes Ayo's introduction that much more exciting. Though Bucky and Sam are now begrudgingly teamed up with Zemo, how will Ayo's appearance impact their mission? We'll have to stay tuned to find out, but we're sure it'll be an action-packed time.