Walker was a controversial figure since he was introduced at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's premiere. On paper, John is an ideal choice to succeed Walker was other-than-honorably discharged and he stripped of his rank and role as Captain America.

Related: Why The US Pardoned John Walker (Despite His Crimes)

Walker, clad in his costume and armed with a shield he built himself, traveled to New York City to take on the Flag-Smashers after they attacked the headquarters of the Global Repatriation Council. It seemed like John was simply out for revenge and the Flag-Smashers met his aggression in full force, outnumbering and overpowering him. But when an armored car filled with GRC hostages nearly plummeted into a construction site, Walker found his heroic side and he pulled the truck back before it could fall. Unfortunately, the Flag-Smashers swarmed him once again and Sam Wilson lifted the truck to complete the rescue. But Walker genuinely tried to save the hostages, despite the beating he endured and the lingering after-effects of how the Super-Soldier Serum unleashed his negative qualities. Still, Walker pulled himself together to help Bucky round up the Flag-Smashers, and he came off like the hero Captain America is supposed to be.

Walker's best moment was when he ed he was supposed to save lives, not just aggressively beat up his enemies (which he was frustrated he couldn't do before he took the Super-Soldier Serum). John loved being Captain America; it immediately became the source of his swagger and he had no qualms about appearing in public in full costume and introducing himself as "John Walker, Captain America." By contrast, Steve Rogers shied away from and never referred to himself by his superhero codename. In the short time John Walker was Captain America, it consumed him and became his identity, but his focus was always engaging the enemy because Walker was a soldier first, not a hero.

Trying to save the GRC refugees was the first time John Walker genuinely tried to do the right thing and, although he didn't get a chance to succeed, he still benefited from making the effort. Walker's public standing was helped by helping stop the Flag-Smashers and John was still riding the high of his success when Valentine de Fontaine gave him his new identity as the U.S. Agent. It's not clear what lessons if any, Walker learned about being a hero from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale, but at least John had a moment where he truly acted like Captain America.

Next: What's Next For John Walker In The MCU After Falcon And Winter Soldier