Bucky Barnes’ “Serum” Comment Sparks Debate Among Marvel Fans
A lighthearted Reddit post has reignited an old debate within the Marvel fandom — this time, over Bucky Barnes’ infamous “I should’ve taken that serum” line from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The post, shared in the r/Marvel community, jokingly calls Bucky “full of it,” prompting fans to unpack what the line really meant and how it reflects his character’s emotional baggage.
In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Bucky admits to feeling jealous of John Walker, the government-appointed “new Captain America,” who had taken the Super Soldier Serum. The line, though brief, offered a rare glimpse into Bucky’s psyche — one marked by guilt, loss, and confusion about his place in a post-Steve Rogers world.
Reddit users quickly pointed out that the statement was less about physical power and more about identity. One top comment noted that Bucky already had the serum, so the line symbolized “wanting control over his life,” not literal strength. Another fan wrote, “He didn’t mean he wanted that serum. He meant he wished he could have chosen his path the way Walker did.”
The discussion also branched into Bucky’s complex relationship with Sam Wilson. Some fans argued that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier failed to explore their emotional tension deeply enough, while others said the show intentionally portrayed Bucky as defensive and self-critical — someone still haunted by his past as the Winter Soldier.
A few users even speculated that the upcoming Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World films could revisit Bucky’s internal struggle. With both movies reportedly delving into government oversight, redemption, and heroism, viewers believe there’s room for the character to finally find closure and self-forgiveness.
