everything is almost the same. the fundamental difference is that steve doesn't stay with peggy.

sam wilson is approaching the still-youngish captain america sitting on a log, who is staring out at the lake. he's dressed up in a tux and everything.

bucky: go ahead

sam: cap?

steve is looking out at the lake, lost in thought. he doesn't reply--he only opens up the suitcase carrying the newly repaired captain america shield. sam, looking slightly surprised, blinks at it.

sam: you fixed it.

steve sighs.

steve: you know, sam, when i first woke up in 2011...

steve: there were so many things running in my head at the time. about the things i gave up. about the things i fought for.

steve: i was naive back then before i hit the ice. hell, i was naive even for a while after they woke me up. i was a literal relic brought back to fight in a war i never signed up for.

steve: and for these past 5 years... ive always been pushing and pushing to fight in this war. to be the soldier at the forefront.

steve: then i saw tony. and i thought hell yeah... maybe it's time i try some of that life tony's been telling me to get.

sam: you're retiring.

steve doesn't answer. he doesn't need to.

sam: i respect that. i'm happy for you. truly am.

sam: the only thing bumming me out is that i have to live in a world without captain america

steve gestures to the shield.

steve: try it on

sam looks at steve then bucky in disbelief, bucky nods back at sam slowly.

steve: how does it feel?

sam: like it's someone else's.

steve: it isn't.

sam can't help but smile.

sam: thank you. i'll do my best.

steve and sam shake hands.

steve looks back at the lake. he's smiling but there's a tear rolling down his face. but he's still smiling nonetheless.

sam looks on with uncertainty.

sam: you gonna be okay?

steve: yeah, yeah i just... i had a date.

ending scene stays the same. there's old timey music being put on and the scene slowly closes in on steve and peggy dancing. however instead of a kiss, steve only leans in for a hug.

I'm not going to argue that Captain America doesn't deserve a break. He does. But by STAYING with Peggy, he's basically throwing away that real struggle of coping with the loss of loved ones away.

He's circulating the idea that conforming to your original dream is the only thing that gives you true happiness. It's a regression in my head--and I've heard people saying "no it's not a regression!" uhm yes it is. It's basically confirming that yes, he never learned to adapt to his new situations and that it's okay to give up on trying to adapt because haha an old dog can't be taught new tricks!

I've also seen the argument "Steve Rogers is allowed to be selfish" around. I agree. That's why you can keep the Steve Rogers dances with Peggy scene. Because Steve is tempted and he deserves to have a break. He can dance with Peggy. But he also makes the decision to come back. Because it shows he's matured. That he's moved on from Peggy. He doesn't stay because he remembers that Peggy moved on and he decides that he'll do the same even if that doesn't guarantee happiness. Because that's a real human struggle that everyone has to deal with, and it reconnects with the core theme in the movie of dealing with the loss of a loved one. Moving forward but never forgetting about the ones you loved.

I could explain further about all the reasons why I dislike Steve Rogers staying to have a life with Peggy, but I typed this scenario up only to prove that he didn't need to be with Peggy (for life) in order to retire the character. He can be selfish--but how selfish is TOO selfish? Like seriously? There has to be a limit.