We're post Infinity Saga and basically the original Avengers actors have reached the end of their shelf life, so now the MCU are bridging the gap before the Phase 4 blockbusters come out. The difficulty here is they are trying to push supporting actors into the fore during a lockdown, and in this short format they've chosen not to give each enough detail before the end of each episode. Before Phase 3 Marvel - a very simplified title - used to be really good at multiple delivery paths that all connected up; they didn't need to bog the films down with too much detail because they had side projects that filled you in. One Shots and shows like Agents of Shield or Agent Carter connected to the films. They might not have been great for everyone, but they supplied a more developed look at the Universe Marvel have created, and worked the time slot format allotted.

Here, we have Sam Wilson dealing with his future, his family, his life. Bucky Barnes trying to shake off his past, his future and his life, all against the massive politics of a post Endgame world that seems far to political for a franchise that's more used to smashing aliens in the face and blowing stuff up, alongside shoehorning in real world issues that the writers probably read in the morning paper.

Mackie, Stan and particularly Brühl do great work with what they're given, and Carl Lumbly is as captivating as always, yet the fact it only got one acting nod for the Emmy's - and even MCU stalwart Don Cheadle doesn't know why he got that - is more testament to the poor writing than the talent. It's an angry time and everyone is angry, but with so many threads, it's just not enjoyable. Erin Kellyman as Karli Morgenthau had all the backstory and knowledge to make a great villain, but they wasted that potential by saddling the story with so much extra political wrangling that she became another lost kid. While Wyatt Russell as John Walker manages to create the MCU's most hated character after barely any screen time! And bringing Emily VanCamp back as Sharon "Like he said! Captain's orders!" Carter, is a good nod to the Winter Soldier film, but it is so obvious what they're doing with her character they might as well include it in the credits.

Ultimately, people will watch this as a tee up for Phase 4. They'll watch it because they love Mackie and Stan. And they'll feel let down by how you could condense it down to one episode ready for Captain America 4 and not feel you'd missed anything.