I think my favorite thing so far ab all the thunderbolts trailers, posters, pictures, everything, is that EVERYONE is dressed in a nice new suit, rollin up in costume
And then Bucky is literally in JEANSSS and a tshirt
slay king
Reblogged
You know it’s taken me a long long time to understand why Bucky would want to be a congressman bc it’s always felt so random. As soon as I found out (what prolly a year ago now?) it shocked me, had me say the biggest “huhhhhh???” ever. It’s always confused me since mainly bc it’s just such a big jump and development from where we last seen him in TFATWS. Like that’s such a huge development to happen off screen, that it made it seem almost out of character.
But now I think I kinda get it. Yes, he’s clearly doing better mentally and has support (Sam n his family) that’s helped him feel better and grow socially. But honestly, I can set that aside. Because even that didn’t make it fully click for me, cause it still was the question of why politics, why congress? Why, even with new found confidence, would he choose such a public position, that’s completely social, and where he’s constantly in the eyes of everyone? And yeah, I do think part of it is that he knows he can help ppl with his decades of knowledge and experience on the government, that he wants to stand up for people who need help and protect them. And that he can use his position to not only try to help citizens in the regular way but also prevent shady stuff from going on (just like how secretly Hydra had a bunch of congressmen, senators, blah blah working with them).
Like yeah, I definitely think that’s playing into it, but you know, even still….it was the question of why he would choose that method, the path of being a congressman, to achieve that.
And then it hit me what the two other factors in this decision could be. It finally makes sense to me. One, I think Sam’s speech in the finale of TFATWS planted the idea. When Sam was speaking to all the government officials (can’t remember what they were, like senators or something idk?) and telling them “to do better” and actually help the people who need them. We all know the scene, we know the speech, we all know the way Bucky was looking at Sam while he was giving it. I think Sam inspired Bucky right there, that speech planted the idea in his head and motivated him to be that person Sam was talking about, to be the official that does better, that does good for citizens. I mean, Bucky even said himself in BNW, that Sam “gives people something to aspire to”. Obviously Bucky’s words were weighted and personal, drawing from his own experiences with Sam. It very much had the implication of “I look up to you”. But maybe it wasn’t just Bucky meaning how Sam inspired him to get healthier and be a better person in general. Maybe, he also meant Sam specifically inspired him to do good by getting into congress. When you look at Bucky’s new job in relation to that specific scene, that speech, the progression starts to make a lot more sense.
And that’s just the first reason it started to make sense to me. Now on to the second, which made it click even more. Because even with his new, happier self and the motivation Sam gave him, being a congressman seems like something out of Bucky’s comfort zone. Think about his characterization the last time we seen him, this is someone who deals with a lot of insecurity, scrutiny from others, and isn’t the most social person. Seriously, last time we seen him he was barely willing to socialize, much less be friendly with most people, and even with the people he does like, let’s be honest, he’s socially awkward. Why would someone like that wanna be in the spotlight, why would he wanna have all that attention on him? Running for office, being in the public eye, and working with tons and tons of people is absolutely something out of his comfort zone. Because let’s be real, Bucky has some issues that aren’t ever gonna fully go away, even if they get better, they’re always gonna be there.
But the thing is, instead of the insecurity, social struggles, and public scrutiny holding him back…..I think they’re actually motivating him. I don’t think he’s just pushing past those issues, overcoming the fear so he can do the job. No, I think they’re part of the reason why he’s doing. I think he’s trying to combat those issues by getting in this new position. Even if it’s subconsciously. Cause Bucky cares so so so deeply about what other people think about him, he very much values the opinion of others, his reputation. He craves validation from others and relies on people seeing him in a good light. I don’t even need to go super deep into this, because it’s evident all over every project he’s been in.
Think about what Sam said to him in TFATWS, “You’ve gotta stop looking to other people to tell you who you are.” Because Bucky does that. He’s always done that, even before he became the winter soldier. Cause really, all you gotta do is look back to 40s Bucky. Look back to TFA. Because no matter how subtle it is, in that movie he is constantly wanting to be liked. He was constantly worried about how he was being seen, even when it came to how Steve saw him. He had to be the guy that people thought highly of. And now, decades later, that’s applies even more. Hell, even the tiniest, most subtle example, is his reaction when that senator or whatever shook his hand and thanked him in the finale. And it’s not just good things he reacts to, he clearly takes negative stuff to heart very easily too. I mean, think about when Walker made comments about his past. Bucky was even affected by the words/opinions of a man he didn’t even like. He absolutely, 100% relies on other people’s opinions of him. And what better way is there to change your reputation, change people’s views on you, and get praise and validation, than to be a congressman? He needs to prove to the world that he’s good, he needs them to like him and validate that he’s a good person. He needs the everyone else to believe that and say it first. He needs other people to reinforce the idea that he’s good and worthy, so that he can finally start to believe it himself. So maybe, this whole congressman thing isn’t really such a big switch up, maybe it’s not that out of character. Maybe it’s just a manifestation of what’s been there all along, but it manifested in a way that wasn’t expected.
And that my friends, is the two major reasons this character arc now makes sense to me: because Sam inspired him and because his own need for validation.
Okay hello, I’m back with additional thoughts after the news lmao. So after reading these official summaries of the exclusive clip from cinema con:
I think it’s pretty clear that he didn’t leave just cause he didn’t like it. Something happened, he lost the position or left because of bad circumstances. Could be because he didn’t something stupid, or it could be out of his control. But either way, I feel like what’s happening here from a writing standpoint is they’re using his failure as a congressman as 1. an extra way to set up his feelings of being inadequate, by not being able to change people’s perceptions of him and failing at trying to do good for the world. And 2. to give a bigger set up for him being an outcast/misfit world, bc that’s what the whole movie is about: a team of outcasts and misfits. And after seeing TFATWS end with Bucky starting to be more accepted by others, they needed something to show “hey, he’s still an outcast”. And I think that would be especially prominent when he’s mixed in with these politicians, who are likely snotty, wealthy, and look down on him, especially because of his past. Not to mention that there’s the glaring red issue we’ve all been thinking ab this whole time: the public’s perception of him. How did he get elected in the first place when he’s pretty infamous, despite being both Captain America’s best friend and a WWII vet. I’d say along with the other politicians not being a fan of him, that the public who doesn’t like him, started to be louder than the ppl who did support him. So yeah, no matter how he ended up not lasting a full term, I think the whole point is to create a new struggle for him (that’s a little expanded from and different than ones we’ve seen before) that makes him fit more with this team. And I also kinda feel like it might be being used as a reason for him to snap. He’s getting reckless bc of the shit thats piled up, which is why he’s getting involved with the criminals that make up the thunderbolts in the first place. And also kinda seems like I might be right on him breaking and spiraling, I mean, if Val set him off enough with just words, that he tried to attack….I think that’s likely the case. Esp bc there’s various scenes of ppl coming at him and mocking him in TFATWS, and he just kinda sets there, does nothing, just looks all sad like a kicked puppy. But this to me sounds like the whole congressman thing was his final straw and now he’s more pissed at the world than ever and has 0 fucks left to give. So yeah, in short I think it’s the writers’ way to put his mental health in the gutter again and show that he’s still kinda fucked up and is still an outcast. Anyways, sorry for rambling againnnn, but yeah. That’s my extra thought. Can’t wait to see if I’m even partially right.
idk what I’d wanna see more:
Bucky only lasting half a term bc he said “fuck this shit, fuck the gov” and quit, bc he’d real asfff for that and it’d be funny asf
Or
The juicy angst of Bucky some how losing the position and feeling all depressed and like a failure. (Yeah terrible and sadistic, ik, but I’d eat it up, I love for drama sorry)
Reblogged oswildin
happy 12 year anniversary to the most memorable event in tumblr history
Reblogged
@oh-tobeafrog thank you for inspiring me with this galaxy brain take on my two favorite marvel heroes :)
You know it’s taken me a long long time to understand why Bucky would want to be a congressman bc it’s always felt so random. As soon as I found out (what prolly a year ago now?) it shocked me, had me say the biggest “huhhhhh???” ever. It’s always confused me since mainly bc it’s just such a big jump and development from where we last seen him in TFATWS. Like that’s such a huge development to happen off screen, that it made it seem almost out of character.
But now I think I kinda get it. Yes, he’s clearly doing better mentally and has support (Sam n his family) that’s helped him feel better and grow socially. But honestly, I can set that aside. Because even that didn’t make it fully click for me, cause it still was the question of why politics, why congress? Why, even with new found confidence, would he choose such a public position, that’s completely social, and where he’s constantly in the eyes of everyone? And yeah, I do think part of it is that he knows he can help ppl with his decades of knowledge and experience on the government, that he wants to stand up for people who need help and protect them. And that he can use his position to not only try to help citizens in the regular way but also prevent shady stuff from going on (just like how secretly Hydra had a bunch of congressmen, senators, blah blah working with them).
Like yeah, I definitely think that’s playing into it, but you know, even still….it was the question of why he would choose that method, the path of being a congressman, to achieve that.
And then it hit me what the two other factors in this decision could be. It finally makes sense to me. One, I think Sam’s speech in the finale of TFATWS planted the idea. When Sam was speaking to all the government officials (can’t remember what they were, like senators or something idk?) and telling them “to do better” and actually help the people who need them. We all know the scene, we know the speech, we all know the way Bucky was looking at Sam while he was giving it. I think Sam inspired Bucky right there, that speech planted the idea in his head and motivated him to be that person Sam was talking about, to be the official that does better, that does good for citizens. I mean, Bucky even said himself in BNW, that Sam “gives people something to aspire to”. Obviously Bucky’s words were weighted and personal, drawing from his own experiences with Sam. It very much had the implication of “I look up to you”. But maybe it wasn’t just Bucky meaning how Sam inspired him to get healthier and be a better person in general. Maybe, he also meant Sam specifically inspired him to do good by getting into congress. When you look at Bucky’s new job in relation to that specific scene, that speech, the progression starts to make a lot more sense.
And that’s just the first reason it started to make sense to me. Now on to the second, which made it click even more. Because even with his new, happier self and the motivation Sam gave him, being a congressman seems like something out of Bucky’s comfort zone. Think about his characterization the last time we seen him, this is someone who deals with a lot of insecurity, scrutiny from others, and isn’t the most social person. Seriously, last time we seen him he was barely willing to socialize, much less be friendly with most people, and even with the people he does like, let’s be honest, he’s socially awkward. Why would someone like that wanna be in the spotlight, why would he wanna have all that attention on him? Running for office, being in the public eye, and working with tons and tons of people is absolutely something out of his comfort zone. Because let’s be real, Bucky has some issues that aren’t ever gonna fully go away, even if they get better, they’re always gonna be there.
But the thing is, instead of the insecurity, social struggles, and public scrutiny holding him back…..I think they’re actually motivating him. I don’t think he’s just pushing past those issues, overcoming the fear so he can do the job. No, I think they’re part of the reason why he’s doing. I think he’s trying to combat those issues by getting in this new position. Even if it’s subconsciously. Cause Bucky cares so so so deeply about what other people think about him, he very much values the opinion of others, his reputation. He craves validation from others and relies on people seeing him in a good light. I don’t even need to go super deep into this, because it’s evident all over every project he’s been in.
Think about what Sam said to him in TFATWS, “You’ve gotta stop looking to other people to tell you who you are.” Because Bucky does that. He’s always done that, even before he became the winter soldier. Cause really, all you gotta do is look back to 40s Bucky. Look back to TFA. Because no matter how subtle it is, in that movie he is constantly wanting to be liked. He was constantly worried about how he was being seen, even when it came to how Steve saw him. He had to be the guy that people thought highly of. And now, decades later, that’s applies even more. Hell, even the tiniest, most subtle example, is his reaction when that senator or whatever shook his hand and thanked him in the finale. And it’s not just good things he reacts to, he clearly takes negative stuff to heart very easily too. I mean, think about when Walker made comments about his past. Bucky was even affected by the words/opinions of a man he didn’t even like. He absolutely, 100% relies on other people’s opinions of him. And what better way is there to change your reputation, change people’s views on you, and get praise and validation, than to be a congressman? He needs to prove to the world that he’s good, he needs them to like him and validate that he’s a good person. He needs the everyone else to believe that and say it first. He needs other people to reinforce the idea that he’s good and worthy, so that he can finally start to believe it himself. So maybe, this whole congressman thing isn’t really such a big switch up, maybe it’s not that out of character. Maybe it’s just a manifestation of what’s been there all along, but it manifested in a way that wasn’t expected.
And that my friends, is the two major reasons this character arc now makes sense to me: because Sam inspired him and because his own need for validation.
#I wrote this up back in February but never posted it#but here it is#here’s my thoughts#yeah ik I always have to over analyze things but I think I’m at least partially right with this#bucky barnes#winter soldier#james buchanan barnes#bucky barnes meta#meta#thunderbolts#thunderbolts*#tfatws#ca:bnw#captain America: brave new world
Reblogged oswildin
shipping characters who are just friends in canon is more than okay but what’s annoying is when people take screenshots of them touching and say “friends don’t do that!”. i hate to break it to you but friends do hug and hold hands and cuddle. saying ‘friends don’t do that’ is reenforcing the idea that physical touch is reserved for lovers
“There is nothing platonic about this” Nah I can write an essay over how platonic that is.
"They are in love" Sit and watch me writing a book saga about how they love each other platonicaly because this type of love. Is. Not. Less. LOVE!
Reblogged writethewolvesaway
bucky
Why am I just now realizing, after fucking 4 years, that Bucky giving the notebook to Raynor at the end of TFATWS isn’t just ab him finishing his amends? That it’s actually symbolic of him letting go of Steve and making peace with the fact he’s gone. Was this obvious to everyone? Am I just completely stupid? How did I not pick up on that for 4 YEARSSS???
#and the fact I realized this completely randomly too#like idek why this suddenly came to mind#it just came outta nowhere#but I’m prolly the only one who didn’t realize this 😭#bucky barnes#tfatws#edit: lol the stars are aligning bc immediately after I posted this the first thing I see on here is a post from ‘steverogersnotebook’#what a coincidence
Reblogged samwontshare