(Spoiler Warning!!!)
What a mind-blowing first episode! Steven was a lovely, sweet guy. I felt like I needed to protect him at all costs. But something was up with him. All his dreams felt like reality. He was confused and scared. He had to second guess everything. The reflections and mirroring were awesome. It was a small detail with so much meaning. The blackout scenes were crazy; it was so good. Even though he felt like he was dreaming. Steven was not. He missed a few days and didn’t realize that until his date. He found a cell phone and a key in his flat. He spoke to Layla, but he was confused because she called him Marc. Marc was the reason for Steven’s life going upside down. He just didn’t know it yet. He was afraid of him because he didn’t know what he was to Steven. He was in a life-threatening situation, so he let Marc take over his body. Moon Knight has risen for the audience. It was beautiful. The mystery of Steven Grant and Marc continued. Let's get into it!
Everything was upside down for our guy Steven. He was unsure about the man in the mirror. Could the night at the museum be a bad dream? He went down to his work and met with J.B., the security guard. Steven tried to tell him about some spooky event that took place that night, and he knew what happened. J.B. played the security tape, but it wasn’t what really happened. The Egyptian jackal was not visible in the footage. How odd? We saw Steven causing a ruckus by himself, then we saw Marc walkout. Oscar Isaac understood the assignment because you could clearly see when he was Steven or Marc. The difference in mannerisms was exceptional. Steven lost his job at the gift shop because of what happened that night. It was an unfortunate event Steven shouldn’t have been a part of. Note the reflections too. Too good. Steven talked his feelings out to Crawley again, but this time hugged him. I love my guy Steven, but you don’t do that! Haha. Remember the key he found with the cell phone? Steven found where it was from. It was a storage room for Marc Spector. There was a bag filled with money, a gun, a passport, and the scarab. The scarab was a compass of some sort. Marc explained he was Khonshu’s Avatar, but Steven wasn’t part of the deal. He needed to finish what was left for him to do. Steven didn’t want that to happen. He was tired of hurting people and of his life going mad without him knowing. He ran out, but someone awaited him. Khonshu terrified Steven. A well-shot scene. Bravo! The freeze-frame was like a comic panel. You love to see it.
Steven fled and ran into Layla. She found Steven by tracking his cell phone, which he asked for. Steven was confused about the whole situation. Layla said she was still his wife, so way to go, Steven, right? He tried to explain that he was not a cover-up identity back at his flat. Layla had a lot in common with Steven, maybe from subconsciously being Marc? I feel like I’m pointing out the reflections most of the time because I appreciate them so much. Layla mentioned Marc’s mother, so I’m guessing she is alive. But who would be Steven’s mother? Quite interesting to think about. Layla gave him divorce papers to sign because Marc thought it would be best for them. Steven, on the other hand, doesn’t want that. He was going to show her what he found in the storage locker, but Marc quickly convinced him not to. Everything Marc had done was to protect her from getting hurt or killed. It was too late, though. She found the scarab pointing to Ammit’s ushabti. She was furious because Marc and Layla fought together for it. Before Steven could try to explain more of his situation, the police were knocking. They were looking for a stolen item, but everything was handled at the museum. A bit suspicious, innit? Layla got away before they found her. But Steven couldn’t justify the passport and money. They took him to a weird place; it wasn’t a police station. So yeah, they weren’t actual officers. It was a cult vibe neighborhood. Marc tried to take over the body, but Steven wouldn’t let him. He continued to fight off him. Would you feel bad for Steven, Marc, or both?
Arthur Harrow met with Steven. Harrow understood the reason behind Steven’s scale not balancing. His different identities made it harder for them to judge. Khonshu stood behind them, and Harrow knew a real deal of Steven’s affairs. Foreshadowing? Arthur showed Steven around the neighborhood. It felt so eerie. Definitely a cult. Khonshu continued to cause disruption, but Harrow didn’t mind. He wasn’t bothered by a God who was banished. He knew of his actions because he was his former Avatar. Arthur explained why Ammit’s judgment was better for the world. But I don’t know? I side with Khonshu. I would have punished those who have done something evil in the present than prematurely punish someone. Harrow wanted the scarab because it led to Ammit’s tomb, but Steven and Marc didn’t want to involve Layla. There wasn’t much they could do, though. Because Layla had it in her hand right there. She had hoped Steven could summon the suit, but he had no idea what she was talking about. Harrow used his cane, which had a small portion of Ammit’s power. Purple-colored magic like Agatha. He summoned a jackal like the one at the museum. Steven and Layla locked themselves in a room. She tried to get Steven to conjure the suit again. Marc wanted the body to save them. Layla did her best to reassure Steven could do it. But he didn’t have it in him. Poor Steven. I love that she called him Steven, though. The jackal broke into the room. Layla couldn’t see the creature, only Steven, for some reason. Hm, what’s that about? The jackal threw Steven out the window. He had to summon the suit. And he did! But it wasn’t the Moon Knight suit. The introduction of Mr. Knight!
The look of the Mr. Knight suit was stunning! It looked so close to the comic books. Again, you love to see it! Steven does his best to fight off the jackal. He gained strength from the suit. He doesn’t want Layla to fight it, but she is a badass. I love the Mr. Knight suit gave Steven confidence. He mustered up the courage to punch the jackal. It was a brilliant punch. Wagwan! Yes, it was cringe but funny. Once he was hit by a car, he let Marc take over the body. Oh, the transformation was god-tier. The following scenes were comic book panel worthy. I was over the moon by it. No pun intended. Marc made the jackal chase him, then he struck it with his crescent dart and pinned it. It was cold, man. He realized he didn’t have the scarab anymore. Bad news. Luckily for Arthur, a man found it. He killed him for nothing. That’s Ammit for you? The conversation between Marc and Steven has to be one of the best scenes in the MCU. My goodness. Oscar Isaac once again gave a breathtaking performance. You feel sorry for Marc and Steven. They both have reasons to live inside the body at the same time. Khonshu wanted Layla as Marc’s replacement, but Marc couldn't let that happen. Whatever Khonshu wanted, Marc had to do it. Khonshu gave life to him. He is owed. It is very complicated, and it will get more complex. Khonshu gaslighted Marc. Well, it sounded like he did, to be honest. Their next mission is to find Ammit’s tomb first. It seemed like their mission in Egypt would be from Marc’s perspective. How exciting! I can’t wait for next week.
Final Thoughts
What can I say about this episode? I find myself repeating the same praise over and over. Oscar Isaac is marvelous in the role of Marc Spector and Steven Grant. I like Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow. The soundtrack is getting better and better. Khonshu is getting more fleshed out too, so I appreciate that. Like I said before, we are getting a backward origin story. As the series continues, more backstory will unfold. I like that better than starting at the beginning and waiting till the series finale to get Moon Knight or Mr. Knight. The fights scenes are a bit eh. The blackouts and invisible jackal are used to cheapen the action. It is done well, so I don't care. I don’t mind many actions scenes when the story is above the action. Do you know what I mean? I’m more intrigued by the mental health aspect. I would love to see more Moon Knight action, though. The comics that I have some brutal panels, and I want that at some point. I feel like I’m contradicting myself. I hope it makes sense. Now, let’s talk about Mr. Knight. I was wondering before the show when we would get him. I didn’t think it would be in episode two, though. I don't like that it seems to be just another suit like Moon Knight. It is supposed to be an identity Marc uses to be an investigator. At least that is what I got from reading some comics. The show used it as a suit for Steven. I understood that, and I respect it. But I wanted the Mr. Knight from the comics. I sound like a comic book weirdo, but I don’t know. I’m usually okay with changes, but this isn't it for now. It was an introduction, and it can get better for all I know. I have hope! Since Moon Knight and Mr. Knight are suits, I hope Jack Lockley is introduced as another identity. I’m still enjoying the series. I feel it is shaping up to overthrow Loki for me. It’s fantastic.
Hello there! I’m happy you took the time out of your day to read my post. Remember if you have any questions or want to have a discussion, leave a comment! The next newsletter will be on Moon Knight episode three. Stay tuned! Happy days and take care!