CA1

14 Nov, 2025

Captain America: The First Avenger Rewatch!

First Appearance: Who is Bucky before the military (or at least before he's captured)? What does he want? How does he show it? Etc.

First scene with Bucky, he's saving Steve from a beatdown

Bucky's first scene, he jumps in out of surprise to stop lil'Steve from getting beat up
"Hey! Pick on someone your own size" is a very old-timey phrase, I wonder if they really spoke like that. The sentiment could have two meanings. 1, it definitely means he wants to protect his best bud Steve. 2, it could mean that he's not the kind of person to sit back and watch someone be treated unfairly. Depending on how his character plays out (but given that he is indeed Steve Rogers' best bud, probably both)
Bucky doesn't chase Steve's assailant down. He doesn't do much beyond defense. He's not a cruel, angry guy. He didn't lose his cool. He defended his friend and himself. He let one petty butt-kick end the fight.
"Sometimes I think you like getting punched." 1, Bucky and Steve are so close that formalities aren't necessary 2, Bucky is so used to getting Steve out of trouble that it might be an annoyance at this rate
"And seriously, Jersey?" Ngl, I chose Bucky on a whim but he is a man after my own heart.
The way Bucky explains his deployment orders, it's with a sigh of acceptance but not want. He was drafted (like pretty much everyone except Steve). He is not going to shirk his responsibilities, though.
The transition from this scene to the next is Bucky inviting Steve on a double date. Given how Bucky's already being depicted as 1, healthy enough to be enlisted and 2, physically strong enough to beat someone up; this implies he's also able to "get girls" like Steve can't.

Second scene, him and Steve on a double date (at the world fair, bc Marvel, NY, and Stark)

"You're about to be the last eligible man here in New York" Bucky likes women. It's what he points to as a consolation for Steve. It's a selling point in his eyes.
Bucky on a date can be dragged around at the entertainment of his lady friend. This is super common for men on dates, though lol. (Although maybe not nowadays. Dating sounds like a nightmare nowadays.)
Bucky: "Don't do anything stupid until I get back." Steve: "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Bucky: scoffs "You're a punk." Steve: "Jerk.... Be careful." They hug it out. Bucky is worried about his friend's well-being. Not just if he'll get drafted but also if he won't. Bucky knows that Steve is restless, and he cares about Steve. Also men can't share emotions so they quip at each other. When Steve lets out his final goodbye "Don't win the war 'til I get there." Bucky turns around one last time and salutes. It's a sarcastic motion. He's experiencing a lot--the fear of what awaits him in war. The annoyance at his friend's inability to see how lucky he is to not be drafted. The reality that he'll miss his friend.

Third scene (maybe fourth as well? I actually might not know what dictates a "scene"), Bucky is being rescued by Steve, now-Cap't America. He's been held hostage by the Germans for an undisclosed time (but probably less than a week or a month? I don't know how fast news traveled during the midst of WWII).

Bucky is delirious for obvious reasons but seeing his old pal Steve is an instant relief
I recognize the main point of this scene is to reiterate just how much Steve's transformation was because all of Bucky's questions are about that and not about the state of the war or anything else going on around them. It's a Capt America movie, not a Bucky or WWII movie, after all.
When Steve faces off against the Hydra guy, Bucky's leaned on the railing while staring up defiantly as well. He's weak and possibly injured, but he's going to muster what he can because that's who he is.
Bucky has the chance to escape but won't leave without Steve because, even if he was already held hostage and had experiments done on him, he's just as dedicated and loyal to Steve as Steve is to him.

Next scene (I don't care to keep count anymore), where they're marching back triumphantly towards Steve's camp

This may be cheating a little, but because of my lil side project I've been looking at a lot of Bucky gifs online (Tumblr) and the costume designers love putting this man in a henley top.
Why was Bucky Steve's right hand but his gun is like a kid's toy next to the man on his other side???
Awwwe, Bucky is the one who starts the cheer for his buddy. He's proud of his friend. He's not insecure or embarrassed.

Some other notes because I can't help myself:

...I'm just barely halfway through?? This movie's so long.... And I was just wondering how Bucky "dies" if he's already been rescued lol.
I'm getting distracted, but I want to keep rambling for a sec. The scene where they're at a bar and Steve is recruiting the men he just rescued on another mission...I hate this stereotyping of old-timey men having no fear. They're more brave! If they have fear! But do it anyway! "Sounds fun" "I'm in" just makes them sound moronic and not like real people!!!!!!!!
Okay I reacted too quickly, the point was that these men are stupid. Which I guess is funny but seems cruel, coming from Steve Rogers? I don't know, like, pick bigger men actually? If you're recruiting??? I know Steve's a medical anomaly here, but maybe just choose men who aren't still in recovery?
Also Steve either doesn't care to protect Bucky (who would also be in active recovery?) from another mission or (more charitably) he knows Bucky's like him and can't not do what's right. I guess I'll choose to believe the latter. Scene at the bar, but specifically Steve and Bucky's convo.
Bucky's expository dialogue makes it clear he's not following the image of Capt America but the man he knows his best friend truly is at heart. Okay, after so many "they're best buds" comments I've made...I understand now why fandom people want to believe these men are gay.
When Agent Carter walks in, Bucky stands at her presence (as any gentleman would do at that time) but also immediately goes to stare at her ass. He likes women lol. (He might also like men, those two aren't mutually exclusive).
I like that Bucky verbally greets Agent Carter with a nervous "Ma'am." He likes to look, but he's smart enough to at least try to hide it.
Bucky is either arrogant beyond self-awareness or he's just not used to being "invisible" to women. Because Peggy Carter is so clearly flirting with Steve and isn't even looking at Bucky before, during, or after he says "Then what are we waiting for?" to her 'waiting for the right partner' comment. Maybe he's also used to women ignoring Steve. But he's gotta have realized at this point that Steve is different to everyone, no?

Next scene:

This is the next mission scene. Bucky's a sniper, I didn't realize. Now I'm wondering which traits are required/best for being a sniper? Next scene:
"Remember when I made you ride the Cyclone on Coney Island?" "Yeah, and I threw up?" "Is this payback?" Bucky hasn't lost his fight yet. He's proud and sarcastic and ready for a fight. A core of this is what stays for him to continue being a motorcycle rider later on, possibly.
Bucky's proud "I had him on the ropes." After Steve came in to save him.
OK I think my notes part of the movie might be over honestly, thank goodness. I've been multitasking while taking these and they do slow down everything lol.

Recap:

Admittedly, not a whole lot of Bucky information in this first movie, but that's because, again, it's a Captain America movie and not a Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier movie.
Bucky Barnes pre-Winter Soldier is a loyal friend, he's a committed fighter. He likes women and is probably used to them liking him back.

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