The Falcon & The Winter Soldier: 12 Biggest Takeaways From Episode 5

After hearing the full extent of Isaiah's story, and the deplorable way in which he was treated after saving the lives of men his own government planned to kill, it's not hard to understand why he is so bitter about the shield and the Captain America name.

Sam said that Isaiah could have been the next Captain America, but he didn't fit the profile of the blond hair and blue eyes that the world wanted. To him, the world hasn't changed at all, and that all the shield stands for is how he was treated. He saved men and was sent to jail, while John Walker murdered a man and was allowed to walk free.

Isaiah said some powerful things to Sam about how he felt towards the shield and the Captain America name. In his opinion, if Sam had any self-respect, he wouldn't even want to take the name, particularly knowing now what it meant to him.

However, while this could have driven Sam deeper into believing he shouldn't take on the job, Isaiah inadvertently turned him around on the subject. Sam wants to prove that the world is different now, and that all the pain and sacrifices made in past would be for nothing if he wasn't willing to stand up and keep fighting. He wants to change the world, and taking on the shield would do that.