This article contains spoilers for The Falcon And The Winter Soldier.
With each episode of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier we are getting closer to finding out who exactly the Power Broker is – a character who is yet to show their face.
Whilst the Power Broker has been name checked several times during the show with episode three even being named after the character, we are yet to meet them ourselves.
All we know so far is that they are behind the super soldier threat, tasking scientist Dr. Wilfred Nagel with recreating the serum, which the Flag-Smashers then stole giving themselves powers.
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As we explored Madripoor we also learned that the Power Broker is essentially in charge of the lawless region, with the impression being that they are someone not to mess with.
The question remains then, who exactly is the Power Broker? And even more significantly, has their identity not been revealed yet as it’s someone we already know from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?
Let’s take a look!
Who Is The Power Broker In Marvel Comics?
Marvel Comics
First introduced in 1978, the Power Broker was a name used by a man called Curtiss Jackson. Heading up a company called Power Broker Inc, Jackson would offer paying customers the opportunity to be given superpowers using specially designed technology.
As well as payment, in return the customers would give the Power Broker 70% of their future earnings.
Later down the line it would be revealed that the Power Broker is the person who gave John Walker and Lemar Hoskins their superpowers using his technology.
Marvel Comics
Of course this differs in the MCU given that in today’s episode we saw Hoskins die, with Walker giving himself the super soldier serum after Karli dropped the vials.
In the comics after Jackson was killed by the Punisher, the mantle of the Power Broker is taken on by a mysterious successor who is still yet to be revealed.
Could Sharon Carter Be The Power Broker?
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As we stated earlier, it seems to be that the show is gearing up for a big reveal with the identity of the Power Broker, so it’s very likely then it’s a character we already know so they can deliver a jaw-dropping moment.
And the unexpected prime suspect is none other than Sharon Carter, an on-the-run former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who has been making a life for herself in Madripoor.
If you look at the facts they do line up: Sharon is a fugitive, we don’t really know what she has been up to since Civil War, she chose to seek refuge in lawless Madripoor, and she has a right to be angry with the Avengers given that none of them contacted her.
Also, considering Sharon is an outlaw she must be in some expensive business to pay for that fancy apartment of hers.
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Whilst she told Sam and Bucky she is now a black market dealer in rare items, this could be concealing the truth which is that Sharon has broke bad becoming the Power Broker.
In addition to the above clues, it appears Sharon is quite an influential figure in Madripoor, and at the end of episode three, we see her slip away getting into a car with a mysterious individual.
Sharon tells her companion that they have a couple of “big problems” and whilst this could indeed refer to anything going on in the series, it only adds to the shadiness of the scene.
Although we hope that bad-ass Sharon is still one of the good guys, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility her disillusionment with the U.S. and her new life in crime has led her to becoming the Power Broker.
Or Is It Another Character We Know?
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Whilst Sharon is the likely candidate, there are other MCU characters who could be the Power Broker.
Some fans online have suggested that none other than the villainous Zemo could be our mystery man. In episode three we saw how easy it was for him to escape from jail, so maybe he has done this before and has been busy creating this new identity.
It really is only a matter of time before Zemo double-crosses his new allies Bucky and Sam…
However, we doubt that Zemo has changed his views when it comes to super soldiers. His pure hatred of them means he wants to destroy the serum, not create it.
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There’s also the idea that the Power Broker is Thunderbolt Ross, played by William Hurt in the MCU. The former Lieutenant General of the army and government official has often popped up in the franchise thanks to his obsession with superheroes and protecting America.
In The Incredible Hulk we saw Ross involved in research trying to recreate the super soldier serum, which led to the creation of the Hulk and the Abomination.
We next saw Ross in his new role as Secretary Of State, pushing for the Avengers to sign the Sokovia Accords in Civil War. He then called for the arrests of Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff, and Natasha Romanoff.
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Not only does Ross’ history with the serum and the Avengers make him a potential candidate for the Power Broker, but as we learnt in episode three, Dr. Nagel was originally trying to recreate the serum for the CIA.
The organisation abandoned the project after it was interrupted by the Blip, but as Dr. Nagel reveals, a mysterious benefactor – the Power Broker – gave him the funds to continue his work.
It therefore has to be someone who knew about the CIA project, and given Ross’ power in the government he would likely have been aware of Nagel’s work.
Maybe he knew how close Nagel was to finishing the task and so when the CIA shut it down, a frustrated Ross took things into his own hands? He has tried recreating the serum before so why not give it another go?
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Of course though this is the MCU we are talking about – they love to tease us with possible reveals and this could be yet another red herring.
Whilst all the signs point to the Power Broker being someone we already know, there is always the chance we are taken by surprise with a fresh face.
Actor Emily Van Camp, who plays Sharon Carter, hinted this might be a case when asked by Variety who the Power Broker is replying: “I mean, the Power Broker could be anybody. Also, there are several characters that have yet to be seen. So, I mean, I can’t say anything.”
Or she could just be saying that to disguise the show’s biggest secret? We can’t wait for everything to be revealed, and with only two episodes to go it will be soon!
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier airs exclusively every Friday on Disney+.
