There are spoilers in this article for “Moon Knight” episode 2.
It is now abundantly evident that Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac) and Marc Spector, his alter ego, have their work cut out for them in “Moon Knight.” The second episode of the Disney+ series places Layla, a new ally, in the middle of a struggle with Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke), Steven, Marc, and their super-powered vigilante alias Moon Knight (May Calamawy). The action scenes involving Marc were intermittently shown in episode one, but today we get to see Moon Knight in full hero mode. At one point, even Steven joins in on the fun.
Because it lets Steven retain his agency while simultaneously unravelling the mystery of Moon Knight and Marc, Episode 2 succeeds so wonderfully. After seeing his life fall apart, Steven is understandably hesitant to give Marc more authority. However, this means that Steven will step up for the rematch when Harrow eventually finds him (and releases another another jackal to reclaim that enigmatic scarab totem we saw in episode 1). He even creates his own super-suit, an all-white three-piece ensemble with an elegant mask.
This outfit actually has roots in the Moon Knight comics, though it has been slightly modified to meet the changes in the series. It’s an oddly ideal fit for the amiable Steven Grant.
Meet Mr. Knight
The majority of Moon Knight fans are aware that the vigilante suffers from DID, also known as dissociative identity disorder, and that he has a total of at least four personalities, including Moon Knight. However, Khonshu, the Egyptian god that supports Moon Knight and provides F. Murray Abraham’s voice for the character, has four unique personalities of his own. He is the Watcher of Overnight Travelers, Pathfinder, Embracer, and Defender. He also has a hidden component known as The One Who Lives on Hearts, and it’s said that each of these influences Marc in a unique way.
Marc’s therapist in “Moon Knight” Vol. 7 by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey claims that his DID is really just a manifestation of Khonshu’s four parts. Her theory is never definitively proven, although Marc’s alters have each been observed to take on particular facets of Khonshu at different periods. The form of Moon Knight that is thought to be the most violent is The One Who Lives on Hearts. On the other hand, “Mr. Knight” takes a more measured approach to battling crime and the forces of evil, even though he isn’t exactly a pacifist. And while he goes about his business, he is dressed in his sharp three-piece suit.
Like Steven Grant in the comics, Mr. Knight is the character who interacts with the public the most. Moon Knight frequently runs afoul of the local law authorities because of his tendency to be brazen and extremely violent. On the other hand, Mr. Knight is just a “concerned citizen.” A citizen who appreciates crescent-shaped accessories like Moon Knight, yes, but who does not have his criminal history. As a result, Mr. Knight is free to collaborate with the NYPD without being held accountable for the wrongdoings of his cowled confrere. He even defends the boys in blue from riskier battles with uncontrollable forces.
How this changes in the Disney+ series
Numerous liberties are taken with the protagonist in the “Moon Knight” series, particularly in regards to Steven and Marc’s relationship. The series’ Steven Grant, though, is an average Joe who can hardly hold down his life as it is (though, to be clear, that’s through no fault of his own). The Steven Grant in the comics is a wealthy philanthropist who practically finances Marc’s adventures as Moon Knight. That implies that both Mr. Knight’s and his position in Khonshu’s plans had to be modified to fit this new interpretation.
This new life Steven has been forced into makes him very uncomfortable. He has zero interest in being a superhero. He doesn’t like violence so much. For crying out loud, he is a vegan. But Steven makes an unexpected decision when faced with the prospect of Marc resurfacing and the danger posed by Harrow’s conveniently invisible jackal. He adopts the superhero persona of Mr. Knight and dons a sharp costume. It’s a clever move that further separates Steven from Marc and demonstrates that he is not quite as useless as Khonshu would have assumed.
Despite the fact that Marc inevitably takes control once more at the conclusion of episode 2, effectively silencing Steven for the time being, presumably, we’ll get to see Mr. Knight’s reappearance in later episodes.
Wednesdays are when “Moon Knight” streams on Disney+.
