The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 5 Post-Credits Scene Explained

Contains spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5

As The Falcon and the Winter Soldier nears its end, Sam (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) get a short reprieve in the former's old stomping grounds in Louisiana — but even with Zemo (Daniel Brühl) leaving the scene in a surprisingly agreeable fashion, their enemies are advancing on nearly all fronts. Though John Walker (Wyatt Russell) is defeated, disgraced and other-than-honorably discharged, he receives a strange offer from the mysterious Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (a surprise appearance from Veep and Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Even the Falcon and the Winter Soldier's perceived ally, Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp), appears to facilitate an alliance between the vengeful Georges Batroc (Georges St-Pierre) and the Flag-Smashers' leader, Karli Morgentrau (Erin Kellyman). Things are, in other words, not good.

While the show's fifth episode is not without the occasional ray of light, the periods of happiness ultimately just accentuate the darkness of the clouds gathering on the not-too-distant horizon. In the very end, the episode doubles down on the gloom by giving us the very first post-credits scene of the show so far. But what, exactly, is the meaning of the scene in the grand scheme of things? Here's the post-credits scene of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5 explained.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 5 does indeed feature the series' first post-credits scene, and, as is the MCU's custom, it teases a brand new, scary challenge for our heroes. The short, yet impactful scene shows a determined John Walker keeping himself busy with some metalworking in a dark workshop. However, this is no casual hobby to get his mind off things, seeing as the thing he's building is a brand new Captain America shield. It's highly unlikely that the welded-together shield will compare to the beautiful, physics-defying original that combines Wakanda's vibranium with Howard Stark's (Dominic Cooper) finest efforts, but then again, it's only fitting. After all, it has become extremely clear that Walker himself is but a shadow of the original Captain America. Symbolism! 

Apart from his apparent plans to become a rogue version of Captain America — or, perhaps, finally embracing his U.S. Agent identity from the comics — the scene also makes sure that Walker's mental state continues to be very different from Steve Rogers' (Chris Evans) humble attitude, as we see him welding one of his esteemed Medals of Honor in the makeshift shield. It remains to be seen how the disgraced former Cap plans to wield his creation in next week's episode of The Falcon and the Winder Soldier, but two things seem all but certain: we haven't seen the last of John Walker and someone's going to get hurt.