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 organization called the Flag Smashers, being aware that someone had been recreating the super soldier serum. 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 them obsessively. Sam was opposed to the idea of breaking Zemo out of jail, only to find out that it had been done by Bucky. Sam insisted Zemo to 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 join the mission on 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 in Madripoor, Zemo chose the roles of their disguises where Bucky was the Winter Soldier, Zemo was his handler, and Sam was the Smiling Tiger. After causing a ruckus in a bar, the trio was gained a permission to meet Selby - the person who had the key to the one who had been recreating the super soldier serum. Selby eventually agreed to give them the information, but before they could receive further explanation, their covers were blown.

They managed to escape and found the person who had been recreating the serum through the help from Sharon Carter. After interrogating the scientist, they found even more clues about the leader of Flag Smashers. Sam asked Joaquín Torres by phone to dig up the clues and he found the Flag Smasher's whereabouts which is in Riga, Latvia. The trio then continued their journey to the city.

The Whole World is Watching
The trio arrived in Riga, Latvia and stayed at Zemo's residence. Bucky managed to buy more hours from the Wakandans to keep Zemo on the mission. The trio engaged in a conversation regarding Super Soldiers and then went to GRC's Resettlement Camp to find more information. They successfully came face to face with the Flag Smashers using the information that Zemo had held as leverage.

After the encounter with the Flag Smashers, John Walker and Lemar Hoskins came to Zemo's residence in order to bring him back to prison. Sam was defending Zemo from John Walker when Dora Milaje finally arrived to take him as well. The conflict concerning who were in charge of taking Zemo resulted in a fight between Dora Milaje and John Walker. While Sam and Bucky were trying to break up the fight, Zemo escaped through a hidden hole in the bathroom.

Truth
Bucky went to Sokovian Memorial to meet Zemo. Zemo explained to Bucky that he had warned Sam about how dangerous Karli was, but Sam wouldn't listen to him. Suggesting that Bucky was different from Sam, Zemo advised him to kill Karli. Bucky claimed that he appreciated the advice, but he and Sam were going to solve it in their own way. Zemo acknowledged the decision and eventually was taken by Dora Milaje to be imprisoned in the Raft. Sam and Bucky then continued their mission without him.

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 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 included a 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
FANFICTION



Trivia

 * The soundtrack that is playing at the time the trio team 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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