Moon Knight may be one of the darkest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet, as it tackles the heavy concepts of mental illness, depression, identity, and the meaning of true justice, all while adopting the usual superhero flavor that audiences have come to expect from Marvel Studios.
While entertaining heavier themes, Moon Knight manages to balance the darkness with the occasional moments of levity. Although they don't quite match the MCU's reputation for side-splitting comedy, certain lines of dialogue in the first season of Moon Knight gives the show a much-needed laugh or two.
The Idiot
"Ugh, The Idiot's In Control!"
Steven Grant is quite surprised in the series pilot when he wakes up in the middle of a field, hearing a booming voice in his head. This unknown entity turns out to be Khonshu, voiced by Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham, who almost immediately insults the confused gift shop worker.
Khonshu's relationship with Marc alone is quite dysfunctional and unkind, but when it comes to Steven, the moon god proves just how petty and unfriendly he can be. Khonshu spares no hurt feelings with Steven, telling the alternate personality exactly what he thinks of him at any given moment.
Playing Games
Steven: "Fingers Froze. Maybe It's The High Altitude Or Something."
After encountering the villainous Arthur Harrow and his cult of Ammit, Steven Grant finds that he is in possession of something they desperately want: an ancient pathfinder scarab. Upon trying to give them their artifact, Steven finds himself physically unable to let go, hilariously scrambling to explain his strange behavior.
Much of the humor in Moon Knight's earlier episodes involves the baffled Steven trying to explain the strange goings-on in his recent life. Now, as things become too crazy for him to possibly explain, fans get to watch in t sympathy and delight as the character unwittingly messes with the season's Big Bad.
Combat Skills
Khonshu: "Did He Just Throw The Gun?"
Of the personalities living in Marc Spector's body, Steven Grant is by far the least adept at combat, proving so quickly in the show's first episode. While being chased by Arthur Harrow's henchmen, Steven throws his gun at them, prompting Khonshu to disappointedly question his actions.
Though Khonshu had never made it a mystery concerning his feelings about Steven Grant, it appears that any possible goodwill he might have had toward Marc Spector's alternate personality has vanished, as the moon god realizes the vast difference between Marc and Steven when it comes to combat.
A Misleading Name
Steven: "Avatars. Blue People. Love That Film. You Mean The Anime?"
When confronted by Arthur Harrow in the museum, Steven learns for the first time that the gods of Egypt are real, each with an earthly Avatar to do their bidding. Steven, ever the pop-culture enthusiast, mistakes Harrow's use of the word Avatar for the "big blue people" he had seen in theaters.
In the world of the MCU, Avatars are disciples that each serve a patron god, as Marc Spector serves Khonshu. However, with a name so closely related to a famous James Cameron film series, it was inevitable that someone would make such an entertaining mix-up at some point or other.
Self-Complimentary
Steven: "No, I Don't Care How Bloody Handsome You Are."
Moon Knight takes a few opportunities to have some fun with its concept of multiple personalities living in one body. With Oscar Isaac playing the two leads, it was all too easy for a writer to slip in a line where the actor essentially compliments his own good looks.
Though Steven and Marc would go on to develop one of the most interesting relationships in Moon Knight, their initial interactions were typically quite vitriolic, as neither was particularly pleased about the other living in their body. However, this one moment early on in their relationship portends the camaraderie yet to come between the two, even if it is rather self-complimentary.
Man Cave
Steven: "I'm Gonna Die In An Evil Magician's Man Cave!"
After being captured by the horribly evil disciple of Ammit, Arthur Harrow, Steven Grant escapes to a room cluttered with artifacts, with no way of escape. In a panic, Steven begins to babble about the unsavory location in which he is now fated to die.
Fans learned quickly into Moon Knight's run that they should leave it up to Steven whenever they needed the show's immediate situation summarized with simplicity and humor. Whether or not Steven is actually intending to be funny at moments such as these may be up for debate, but the humor stands strong nonetheless.
Wrong Suit
Steven: "She Said I Needed A Suit."
Marc: "Yeah, The Ceremonial Armor From Khonshu's Temple, Not Psycho Colonel Sanders."
Many fans were excited to learn that Moon Knight would feature the Mr. Knight costume from the comics. Marc was less excited when he saw Steven's version of Khonshu's ceremonial armor, comparing him to the psychotic version of a beloved fried chicken mascot.
Some of the best moments in the MCU come when a character pokes fun at their own comic-accurate appearance. Marc takes the opportunity to do exactly this at his first sight of Mr. Knight's costume, which is one of the most comic-accurate costumes in the MCU thus far. What follows is a hilarious confrontation between Harrow's minions and a woefully unprepared Mr. Knight.
Defacing The Great
Steven: "I'm So Sorry... Mr. Great."
The various journeys of Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Layla El-Faouli lead the trio to the long-lost tomb of Alexander the Great, where they suspect Ammit's ushabti is hidden. In order to retrieve the statue, however, Steven must reach down the very carcass of Alexader, prompting a humorous reaction from the graverobber.
It is easy to forget that, only days before traversing Egypt in search of an ancient tomb, Steven Grant was a simple gift shop worker at a museum of history. However, his amazement at finding the burial chamber of Alexander the Great showcases the character's love for history, right down to calling the mummy "Mr. Great."
Dangerous Tactics
Tawaret: "Oh, Goodie! It Worked! Look At That! Here's Little Old Me Worrying I'd Blow Your Chest Wide Open."
The goddess Tawaret quickly stole fans' hearts after her introduction in the final scene of episode 4. The deity seemed all-too excited to perform her duties as a guide to the Field of Reeds, though she didn't seem particularly good at it, remarking at one point that she very nearly killed Marc and Steven... again.
By the time Steven and Marc arrive on the Duat, there is little left that could possibly surprise them. That is, save for a giant anthropomorphic hippopotamus reaching into their chests and pulling out their heart. Anything that can still manage to surprise these two weary heroes is worthy of mention, given the truly bizarre nature of their lives.
New Look
Steven: "So Strange. The Little Haircut. Little Silly 'Tache There. It's Very... Ned Flanders."
No installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be complete without a zany pop culture reference about a character's looks. After waking up in a psych ward to find Arthur Harrow as his psychiatrist, Steven can't help but compare the man's new mustache to that of The Simpsons' Ned Flanders.
This moment injects some much-needed levity into what is undoubtedly the heaviest episode of the season. Coming on the heels of the revelation about Marc's mother, Steven cracks a single joke about Dr. Harrow's appearance that manages to balance out the episode's tones in a way that doesn't remove any of its emotional weight, but manages to lighten the mood ever so slightly before the next emotional gut punch.