Review: Marvel’s “Moon Knight” Episodes 2-4
Marvel’s Moon Knight continues to be one of the most unique offerings that the studio has put out in its near 15-year history, which has led to some divisive takes. While most critics have taken wholeheartedly to the series, some general audience members are still scratching their heads, not sure of how to take the series, which is already at its midpoint with 4 episodes in the tank. The big issue is that the first episode laid out the themes and general mysteries so well, while also keeping a quick, almost frantic pace, that the following 3 episodes just haven’t been able to measure up. It’s like Marvel cranked the volume to 11 for episode 1, but then just dialed back 6 for reasons unknown.
This isn’t to say that there is nothing redeeming in episodes 2-4. Far from it, in fact, as there have been a lot of intriguing elements that have uniquely expanded the MCU, such as the introduction of the Egyptian Gods, as they are unlike any of the other God-like characters thus far. As explained in the Thor franchise, and reaffirmed in The Eternals, “Gods” as they are understood in the MCU, as simply extraterrestrial beings that have access to technology that is so advanced that it appears as magic to humans. The Egyptian Gods, though, appear to have a much closer relationship to the Earth, and can even affect, as is showcased when Khonshu causes an eclipse out of nowhere. So, the inference is that these characters my actually be Gods and their powers are going to be rooted more in religious mysticism than science or magic. It’ll be interesting to see how much of a role they have going forward and how they’ll function alongside Asgardians or the Greek pantheon, that’s set to debut in Thor: Love & Thunder.
Moreover, the cast performances continue to be top notch, with Oscar Isaac proving to be exceptional in the lead role. The way he’s able to play up the dichotomy between the disparate characters he’s playing has been phenomenal. Particularly in episode 4, the dynamic takes a turn where Marc and Stephen are more like brothers than separate individuals warring for control of a singular body they have to share. There is genuine affection from both of them for the other, which comes across as both a little odd, given the nature of their relationship, and quite authentic, because the two are so integrally linked how could they not start to develop an attachment of sorts for one another.
Furthermore, Ethan Hawke continues to excel as the villain of the series. He’s a much more rational bad guy than the MCU is used to, along the lines of Killmonger in Black Panther (though murdering old women under the guise of judging them for future sins is evil, no matter how you slice it). Hawke plays the character of Harrow with such a quiet and calm demeanor that his outbursts of rage resonate all the more. It’s as if the character is a font of barely contained rage that’s so terrifying to behold that people fear that more than the mystical powers he wields. And Ethan Hawke is so perfect in the role, it’ll be surprising if he doesn’t have a greater presence in the MCU moving forward, as he definitely breaks the mold for Marvel’s typical origin story bad guy. Fingers crosse they don’t let this unique villain slip through their fingers.
The big issue, though, is the nature of the way the episodes are being presented. It’s supposed to be an origin story, but the character of Moon Knight is already fully formed. The reason films like Iron Man and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man were so successful is because audiences were able to go on the journey with the lead characters from everyday guy to superhero. They watched the characters struggle, overcome, and eventually transform into the hero they were destined to be. Audiences were allowed and encouraged to invest in the character and their supporting cast, but this isn’t happening in Moon Knight, as Marc Spector has been working as the hero for, presumably, years and audiences are just expected to go along with it.
The problem with this is that there is no reason to care. It’s like we’re being thrown into the middle of the story, but they aren’t providing us with the necessary context. Sure, they are dropping little nuggets of info, such as Harrow being a former host for Khonshu, but they don’t follow it up. Why did they split? Why is there such animosity? There are just too many questions and not enough answers, and this is largely because they aren’t really providing the origin for the hero. If anything, this series is the origin for Steven Grant, but that’s falling a little flat, as the show isn’t establishing anything particularly unique about the man or setting up a supporting cast. Rather, he’s thrown in with Marc Spector’s supporting players, whom it’s hard to care about, again, because we as an audience haven’t gotten to know them.
This is most apparent with the character of Layla, as play by May Calamawy. She’s introduced as Marc’s wife, or soon to be ex-wife, and that’s about it as far as backstory. All of a sudden she’s just there, with no real rhyme or reason and audiences, again, are just asked to accept it. There is a moment in episode 4 where we learn that her father died and that it’s kind of Marc’s fault, and that does help, but it feels like too little too late. Until this moment though, Layla was in the story because the writers wanted a female lead, not because the story needed her. This isn’t to say that Calamawy is bad, it’s just that her character is so underdeveloped and there are so many questions that it’s hampering the plot, rather than helping to move it forward.
Moon Knight is definitely still a fun watch. The mystery elements are quite strong, and the performances are going far in elevating this project. But the negatives are becoming more glaring the longer the show goes on. The story is thin, as it is, and audiences just haven’t been given a lot of time or reason to invest with the characters on display. It’s tough, because Moon Knight is the first series where the lead didn’t originate in the films, and Marvel seems to have forgotten that. General audiences don’t know the story and they haven’t had 20+ movies to get to know him. Unless there is a dramatic shift in storytelling, Moon Knight might go down as one of the weakest MCU adaptations to date, and, perhaps, their biggest missed opportunity.
Rating: 3/5
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