The Physics Behind the Fictitious: Why Zemo Survived John Walker's Shield Strike

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are numerous instances where the laws of physics are suspensioned for storytelling purposes, but one particular moment stands out: The impact of John Walker's trained shield strike on Baron Zemo. This event raises questions about the physical and biological plausibility of the outcome. Let's delve into the physics behind the fictitious and explore why Zemo was able to survive such a powerful blow.

Breaking Down the Scene

The scene in question takes place in Captain America: New Era. After Zemo crushes the Super Soldier Serum vials, he seeks retribution against the Flag Smasher, now John Walker. Walker, after undergoing his transformation, strikes Zemo with the shield. The physics behind this incident are crucial to understanding the outcome.

In reality, such a blow would result in immediate and fatal brain trauma. However, in the universe of the MCU, characters like Zemo show remarkable resilience, surviving numerous dangerous situations throughout the series. This resilience is maintained even after being struck by Walker's shield. Later in the scene, we see Zemo taken into custody by the Dora Milaje, indicating that he survived the encounter. The focus is on the consequences of Walker's actions and the moral implications of using violence, rather than the explicit physical outcome.

Steve Rogers: A Shield Master

Steve Rogers, or Captain America, has had his fair share of encounters with his shield. However, in no instance has his target been rendered dead due to a shield impact. For instance, Steve has never been seen with blood on his shield. The shield's charged energy has never resulted in fatal consequences for the villains it has struck. This raises an interesting question: Why did Zemo's encounter with Walker's trained strike not follow the same pattern?

Why Zemo Survived

The primary reason Zemo survived Walker's trained strike, despite the impact, is universespecific physics. In the MCU, characters, particularly those like John Walker with extensive training, understand the force required to incapacitate or eliminate a target without causing lethal damage. Walker, having trained with the shield for months, likely gauged the necessary force to incapacitate Zemo, knowing that a more lethal strike would have severe moral and narrative consequences.

The shield itself, made of vibranium, is a material known for its resistance to physical and kinetic forces. Despite the blow transferring significant force to Zemo's skull, the shield's design and Walker's training provided a controlled impact. Had the force been any greater, the concussion suffered by Zemo would have been far more severe, if not lethal.

In reality, a blow like this would be traumatic and highly debilitating. The traumatic brain injury (TBI) could result in death or a vegetative state. In the MCU, however, the potential for such injury would have led to a much more severe outcome for Zemo, undermining the established narrative resilience and character dynamics. Instead, the strike is shown to knock Zemo down, put him in a state of unconsciousness, and possibly a severe concussion, but the audience is led to believe he will recover.

The Impact of Suspension of Disbelief

Film and television rely heavily on the concept of suspension of disbelief. Viewers are willing to overlook certain elements of realism for the sake of enjoying the narrative and the emotions it evokes. When a work of fiction crosses too far beyond this, it can critically damage the viewer's engagement and enjoyment. Phrases like "jump the shark" or "nuke the fridge" are often used to describe moments in fiction that seem too far-fetched and detract from the overall experience.

In the case of John Walker's strike on Zemo, the physics are carefully manipulated to ensure that while the impact is significant, it does not result in a narrative conclusion that breaks the audience's suspension of disbelief. The focus shifts back to the moral and ethical choices Walker makes, rather than on Zemo's fate.

This method serves not only to maintain the audience's engagement but also to reinforce character development and thematic elements present in the narrative. It is a delicate balance that shows the complexity and nuance of the writers' intentions in crafting a fictional world.