15. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (Disney+: 2021)
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier had an uneven first season, but Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) could power this entry to the top half of the list on his own. He imbues grace and humanity into his interactions with Karli (Erin Kellyman), whom the show attempted to paint as an antihero along with her crew of Flag Smashers; he tries to save her until the very end. His determination to do right by Isaiah (Carl Lumbly) and the way he wrestles with adding “Black Captain America” to his identity is especially poignant, considering the MCU—except for its dealings with Wakanda—tends to take a more “color blind” approach to its characters of color. The show is a fitting launchpad for the upcoming Captain America 4 and to usher us into a new era of superhero storytelling. By the time we reach the final scene of the series, Sam is still deeply compassionate, self-aware, and finally ready to pick up the shield. [Shanicka Anderson]
