Marvel’s Most Wasted Story Twist Still Hurts

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Marvel's Most Wasted Story Twist Still Hurts

Key Takeaways

  • Moon Knight’s late-season twist explores his DID and trauma, but the rushed season finale leaves emotional beats unresolved.
  • The show’s potential as a dark exploration of mental health struggles would have thrived more as a standalone film.
  • The mid-credits reveal sets up Moon Knight’s future in the MCU, leaving fans eager for a more in-depth exploration of the character’s identity and trauma.

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the vast universe of video games, I can’t help but draw parallels between the narrative arcs we witness in our favorite virtual worlds and the one Marvel’s Moon Knight presents.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I must admit that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had its ups and downs. Moon Knight was a blend of successes and challenges, given that the character hasn’t been featured extensively in the franchise until now. The Disney+ limited series was a welcome, innovative addition to their lineup when it premiered. However, I believe the MCU is missing out on fully leveraging the show’s potential, especially considering the surprising twist towards the end of the season.

I must say, Oscar Isaac’s mesmerizing performance as Marc Spector, delving into his complex dissociative identity disorder (DID) and the intriguing personas of Steven Grant, was undeniably the standout aspect of Moon Knight. The series masterfully navigated between a ruthless mercenary and a timid gift shop employee, offering a gripping blend of Egyptian mythology and an in-depth examination of mental health issues. To top it off, some clever plot twists were skillfully implemented to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. However, it seemed that some of these twists were not fully utilized in the show’s rush to conclude its story within six episodes, which unfortunately took away from the overall impact of the series.

Moon Knight’s Late-Season Twist Hits Hard

Marvel's Most Wasted Story Twist Still Hurts

A standout scene in ‘Moon Knight’ occurs towards the end of episode four titled “The Tomb”. After being seemingly killed by Arthur Harrow, Marc finds himself in a psychiatric hospital, yet not of this world – he’s drifting in the Duat, the river of the Egyptian afterlife. In this instance for the first time, Marc and Steven, two separate physical beings, share a warm, heartfelt embrace. The narrative unfolds further in ‘Moon Knight’s’ fifth episode, “Asylum”, as they start unearthing repressed memories, with a focus on Marc’s past traumas that led to his development of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). This exploration reveals that Steven was a protective mechanism Marc created to shield himself from his abusive and mentally ill mother.

Moon Knight skillfully ties Marc’s Dissociative Identity Disorder to the emotional turmoil he experienced from losing his brother Randall in a drowning accident. This connection also clarifies why Steven frequently leaves voicemails for their mother, as these actions symbolize the relationship they ideally had in Marc’s mind. In actuality, Marc was unable to visit her during the Jewish mourning practice of shiva.

The episode pulls off a solid origin story on par with the comics. Marc becomes Khonshu’s avatar after his ex-commander, Bushman, murders a group of hostages, including the father of Marc’s wife, Layla. However, these profound emotional beats get brushed aside in the season finale, “Gods and Monsters,” which is a more Marvel-convenient action-packed showdown.

Moon Knight Should Have Been A Movie

Marvel's Most Wasted Story Twist Still Hurts

While it’s not entirely the fault of the show for bringing back both Marc and Steven after their revelations about the afterlife, it seems that “Moon Knight” would have benefited more as a standalone movie, given its exceptional handling of mental health issues faced by the protagonist. This is particularly unique for a Marvel project, as it delves into the complexities of how buried grief and guilt can fragment an individual’s identity. The narrative could have used more room to breathe and develop naturally towards a climactic resolution. Instead, the series opts to conclude with Marc and Steven’s return from the Duat, leading directly into a grand, kaiju-style final battle between gods Khonshu and Ammit.

It’s the ultimate pivotal moment of Marc’s character growth when he refuses to comply with Khonshu’s demand to kill Harrow. But it still doesn’t provide a satisfying resolution to Marc’s pain, or give Steven an organic send-off. Instead, the two personalities start to casually coexist in the same body, almost like late-stage Eddie Brock and Venom from recent films. And Marvel pushes it even further in the mid-credits scene, with Jack Lockley showing up in style in a limo. The third alter-ego has been teased from the start, and his arrival explains Marc’s blackouts while his enemies get mysteriously (and brutally) beaten up.

The Mid-Credits Reveal Hints At Moon Knight’s Future

Marvel's Most Wasted Story Twist Still Hurts

In the shocking finale of Moon Knight, a surprising turn of events overshadows all previous revelations, paving the way for the main character to become a part of the bigger Marvel Cinematic Universe storyline. Nevertheless, a hypothetical second season might delve deeper into Marc’s fractured persona and lingering wounds, providing a more fulfilling experience than just introducing another hero to the franchise. The tale of Marc Spector/Steven Grant has enough depth to warrant a standalone full-length movie, as shared by Oscar Isaac in an interview with Comicbook.com in October 2022.

Fundamentally, it’s all about the narrative. Is there an engaging tale to share? Will it capture people’s interest? Will I be proud of it once it’s revealed? That was precisely the case with Moon Knight. It was essentially establishing a framework that each morning, when the alarm rang, I couldn’t wait to get to set because I was excited to try something new. Whether it’s collaborative work or a groundbreaking idea for season two, or perhaps a solo film, whatever form it takes, it all starts with the story.

Reflecting on Moon Knight’s debut as the initial Marvel Cinematic Universe hero without prior Avenger status, gracing his own Disney+ series, it seemed that the character could have benefited from more time to delve into his past. However, the show’s rapid pace towards an action-packed finale detracted from its potential to stand out as a unique and self-contained story. Instead, it served as a platform for launching Moon Knight into future MCU adventures, aspects of which were left unexplored. With doubts surrounding the possible return of Moon Knight in a second season, there’s a sense of disappointment at not witnessing a Marvel anti-hero grapple with genuine mental health struggles.

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2024-10-25 23:04