SamBuckyZemo

SamBuckyZemo is the poly ship between Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and Helmut Zemo from the Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom.

Power Broker
Bucky and Sam were on a mission to track down an anti-nationalist organisation called the Flag Smashers. Bucky had an idea to ask for Zemo’s assistance as he assumed that it had something to do with HYDRA and Zemo had been studying the organization obsessively. Sam was oppossed of to the idea of breaking Zemo out of jail, only to find out that it had been done by Bucky. Sam insisted Zemo go back to the jail, but Bucky managed to convince him to let Zemo stay by asking him to make another sacrifice like he had done for him before. Zemo was finally allowed to be on the mission on one condition that he didn’t make any move without their permission.

They went on a flight to Madripoor using Zemo's private jet. The three of them ended up bickering over the singer Marvin Gaye. Sam cornered Bucky over his musical taste and was backed up by Zemo. After they arrived at Madripoor, Zemo chose the roles of their disguises where Bucky was the Winter Soldier, Zemo was his handler, and Sam was the Smiling Tiger. The trio managed to gain the information regarding the leader of the Flag Smasher from the scientist - Alfred Nagel. After Sam got further lead from Joaquín Torres, the trio continued their journey to Riga, Latvia.

The Whole World is Watching
The trio successfully came face to face with the Flag Smashers using the information that Zemo held as leverage.

Truth
Zemo was taken to be imprisoned in the Raft while Sam and Bucky continued their mission.

Behind the scenes
"I like the way that Sam and Bucky react to it [Zemo's dance], being truly annoyed. I thought for Zemo, his tactic is the more noticeable you are in that moment, the less suspicion that you arouse. But, I think Sam and Bucky clearly see that differently."

- Daniel Brüh (Zemo)

"Something that was one of the big joys of making the show that we had to keep hidden was the fact that Zemo, Sam, and Bucky end up becoming the Three Musketeers."

- Zoie Nagelhout, Co-Executive Producer of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

"I still cannot think of a good name for that boy band. Actually, when I see [publicity] pictures of the three of them… maybe ‘Supercharge.’"

- Daniel Brühl

"Oh, my gosh. The three of them [Anthony, Sebastian, and Daniel] together are at times so hilarious, I have to kind of pull them all back and remind them, 'Wait a sec. We can't be having this much fun'."

- Kari Skogland, Director of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

Fanon
People hadn't expected that Sam, Bucky, and Zemo would team up together as they had assumed that Zemo would be the villain of the series, but three of them became many general fans' favorite trio of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier series once Episode 3 was aired. The scene where Sam, Bucky, and Zemo were bickering over Marvin Gaye became a viral meme in Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom. Even months after the series ended, some fans still wish to see the trio back together.

Many fans have joked about Zemo being Sam and Bucky's sugar daddy, noting that Zemo had taken them on expensive private jet, bought them expensive clothes, and let them stay at his lavish residence. Some fans pointed out that Zemo might treat Sam and Bucky nicely (such as giving them fruits, Turkish delights, and cups of Cherry Blossom Tea) because he missed his family and was projecting it on them; though some fans suggest that it was how Zemo had always treated his guests - politely, while some others assume that Zemo was just trying to gain their trust.

The book that Zemo was reading in Berlin prison cell was titled Fortune is a River: Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli's Magnificent Dream to Change the Course of Florentine History. It wasn't a book written by Machiavelli, rather it was a story about Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci who teamed up to end the war with Pisa. During time, Leonardo strayed away to his other projects which includes the legendary flying machine. Fans believe that this book foreshadowed how Sam, Bucky, and Zemo would be teaming up to bring down the Flag Smashers. Later in the series, Zemo was shown in the Raft with the same book. After he found out that the Flag Smashers had been defeated, he closed the book. This might symbolize how their mission was accomplished.

Fandom
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Trivia

 * The soundtrack that is playing at the time the trio teamed up is titled "A Marriage of Convenience".
 * On Marvel official site, Sam is listed as Bucky's ally and Zemo's enemy, Bucky is listed as both Sam and Zemo's ally, while Zemo is listed as Sam's enemy and both Bucky's enemy and ally.
 * In Marvel Future Fight game, a team consisting of Zemo, Bucky, and Sam is named "The Worst Enemy".

Variations

 * SamBucky refers to the ship between Sam and Bucky
 * WinterBaron refers to the ship between Bucky and Zemo

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SamBuckyZemo