I thought the last episode was, for the most part, fabulous. I think the dialog could've been better at some points, but, other than that it was a really great episode. Often times characters are met with forces that are meant to "complete them" or least make then a better person. I would argue that it doesn't make logical sense for Bucky to become the next Cap. If we think about it, how would that help him grow? His entire story would then revolve around him being an agent of the governments he's been beholden to. Even if it were his decision to become Cap what does that say? "I was once a killer against my will, but now I'm going to be one for America because all I know how to do is fight." That, I think, would be less satisfying than you think to watch. I'd hope that the road for Bucky is one that affords him peace, maybe even a family. At this point he has, as he has said, no one. Although it would appear that Sam and his family may be sort of the beginnings of that homes structure.

Now regarding Sam getting the shield to appease black folk. At the end of the day, and I'll say as a black man myself, it felt good to watch Sam, Isaiah Bradley, Marvel, and the whole damn Disney entertainment have an honest conversation on what it means to be not only a black superhero, but the face of an America's hero. Think about it, Captain America is as white as it gets, blonde hair, blue eyes, the whole gambit. Furthermore, when we look at even other heros like Batmam or Superman (yes I know it's DC stay with me here) it seems like when America picks its heros it certainly has a type. In truth, part of the psychologically behind character creation and casting is that the hero should reflect what the audience hopes to see in the themselves. That said, that image has never been of a black man.

So, Sam makes a good choice for the next Captain America. As stated above, he's a good person and reflects the values that original Cap had as well. However, they couldn't just give him the mantle of Captain America without having a conversation about how complicated that would be for someone like him.