boarding the Hydra ship early in the film – and he takes that up with her boss.

However, it is clear that – in terms of SHIELD’s personnel structure – Captain America is the asset, and Black Widow is his support. He is considered to have seniority. Whether that is because he has the benefit of the super solider serum, or whether it is because he is a man, is open to interpretation. It remains the case, though, that Captain America takes the lead, and Black Widow is always two steps behind – even though she is one with information about nature of The Winter Soldier.

The result of that is a clear hierarchy in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Captain America, Nick Fury, Agent Rumlow, The Winter Soldier, and Alexander Pierce of SHIELD are important men of consequence, an...

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