Random thought I had as I start my newest MCU binge watch: I really appreciate the unique relationship between Doctor Zola and Johan Schmidt (Red Skull). Schmidt shows exceptional tolerance and respect to Zola and Zola is allowed to be bluntly honest to Schmidt in turn.
\- The guy just outright admits that his designs might not work at all and Schmidt accepts that possibility without a word.
\- Schmidt acknowledges Zola's dislike for seeing/directly perpetrating violence and so he himself gives the order to infiltrate the Super Soldier operation to kill Erskine, and apologizes to Zola for killing the Nazi officers in Zola's lab.
\- When Cap attacks the base to set the prisoners free, Zola instantly accepts Schmidt's assessment that the factory needs to be destroyed and jumps to preparing to evacuate when he sees Schmidt's reason.
\- Zola cuts Schmidt off from his confrontation with Steve while the factory is exploding. Schmidt doesn't even acknowledge that Zola did this, subtly implying he fully approved and appreciated the doctor subtly telling Schmidt that they needed to leave asap.
\- Schmidt gives Zola the keys to his personal car for the doctor to escape with a mere (and oddly playful) quip.
\- When the Howling Commandos are ravaging Hydra bases, Schmidt merely threatens Zola to finish his work without any actual violence towards the doctor
It's such a fun dynamic of two different villains genuinely working together rather than feeling like the typical bad boss and sniveling henchmen. Especially come the sequel where we find Zola was just as much of a conniving, scheming, threatening villain in his own right despite never being in charge of Hydra. #movies #video source