Avengers 4 Endgame ending heartbreak: Bucky KNEW what Captain America was going to do

One of the most emotional scenes of the entire Avengers 4 rollercoaster hides a major secret. This is why such a movie rewards repeat viewings. Not just to revel in the spectacle and emotion but to pick up all the many subtle grace notes. This revelation adds a powerful and poignant new layer to the tear-jerking finale. Obviously everything beyond here contains massive spoilers.

The first time I saw the movie I admit was a little frustrated that the Bucky Steve (Stucky to the shippers) bromance was given so little love in this movie. This was aggravated by the ending when they were separated all over again.

Firstly why didn’t we get at least one scene showing them alone reunited as best friends literally forever? They are the most stoic of heroes but some affirmation of their bond would have been nice.

Secondly, how could Steve go off for over 60 years and disappear back into the past but not say a proper goodbye to his oldest friend – with whom he has only just been reunited?

Except a second viewing reveals he did. Watch their exchange just before Steve jumps backs in time to return all the stones. Pay attention to what Bucky says to his friend and exactly how he reacts when everyone else realises Steve is not coming back.

Bucky says: “I’ll miss you,” and Steve replies: “Try not to do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

Bucky fires back: “How can I? You take all the stupid with you.”

Yet Bruce/Hulk said Steve will take as long as he need to complete his task but it will only be will be five seconds in real time for those waiting in the present day.

In which case, Steve and Bucky’s farewell does not make sense. Unless Bucky already knows Steve is going back to look for Peggy and will not return.

When Cap doesn’t reappear the others are all shocked but Bucky just stays calm, accepting it.

In the same way, he turns and look to the shore but only takes a beat to register the old man sitting there. Steve did not come back because he decided to stay way back in the past and pick up the life he was cruelly denied the first time around.

Bucky is not surprised and needs no time to process what is a huge shock to the audience and the other characters on screen. He stands back and lets Falcon go and talk to Steve. When Steve offers his teammate the Captain America shield and mantle, Bucky just nods. 

It is absoultely clear, Bucky definitely knew what Cap was planning to do. Either he figured it out just before Steve left or, more likely, they had a heart to heart earlier and said their goodbyes.

Avengers Endgame is out now