WARNING: SPOILERS for the first episode of Moon Knight are discussed in this article.
The first episode of the latest installment in the vast Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars’ Oscar Isaac in the titular role, Marc Spector/Steven Grant, along with Ethan Hawke, May Calamawy, and F. Murray Abraham as Arthur Harrow, Layla El-Faoouly, and Khonshu, respectively.
RELATED: 10 Best Moon Knight Comic Book Issues To Read Before The Series
It is already shaping up to be a fresh and unique segment in Phase Four of the MCU. The story, action, performances, and aesthetic have all resonated with many fans already, and some chose to share their reactions and meme on Twitter.
What A Start?!
Moon Knight is the sixth tv show in the Marvel-Disney+ slate, starting with changing the MCU. As such, expectations were high to get the first episode right and to many, Moon Knight clearly accomplished that.
Viewers are unraveling the show’s mysteries as Steven Grant, the easygoing museum giftshop clerk, attempts to do so himself. Even the most ardent comic book readers – who likely know of Grant’s history with dissociative identity disorder and his other personalities – were left eagerly intrigued as they watch him cut in and out of control, leaving enemies decimated in the process. In fact, the first episode was so well received by fans that Moon Knight currently has the highest-rated first episode of all the MCU Disney+ shows.
Spoilers Abound
One common trend on Twitter following a movie or tv show's release is posts like this, spoiling the plot while not actually spoiling it. These often highlight funny moments or lines, great pieces of action, or a special shot, and there are many for fans to delight in on Twitter. However, several have specified two great aspects of the first episode: a reference to the beloved animated show Finding Nemo.
In particular, the fish – named Gus – seems to be much more than it seems. It was supposedly one-finned, yet following one of Steven’s unexpected blackouts, it had two fins. What this could mean is anyone’s guess, but it must clearly be important to the story since it received its own promotional photo. Regardless, perhaps if uninterested viewers happen upon these tweets, they might find themselves inspired to start watching.
So Far, So Good
Many fans are feeling secure about how Moon Knight will progress based on the quality of the first episode. Whether it’s the fascinating and mysterious story, the action sequences, and/or the performances of Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant, they are locked in. This comes as a pleasant surprise to many since Moon Knight has not always been the most popular character in Marvel’s canon. Some see him as nothing more than a pastiche of Batman all the way down to the crescent boomerangs.
Nevertheless, even only one episode in, Isaac captures viewers’ hearts as the loveable hero tragically thrust into the limelight. The ingenuity in how the team behind Moon Knight introduced such a captivating, new character is on full display. As such, fans are enthusiastically eager for the next episode and it looks like Moon Knight will remain a prominent and trending subject online long past its finale in six weeks.
Run Steven Run!
Moon Knight sets up Steven Grant as a bystander thrust into the forefront of the action, and since he is gentle-hearted and wary to engage in conflict, he will likely spend much of his time running away as he did throughout the first episode. This viewer compiled several of these moments into one, even added some classic sound effects, and even though it is quite funny it does highlight an important idea.
It’s rare to see the protagonist flee from the danger, the MCU has wired viewers to expect them to face it head-on – like when Steve Rogers jumped on the grenade in his other dominant personality, Marc Spector – who takes over as the Moon Knight to defeat the jackal creature at the end of the episode.
Who's He Talking To?
Like Eddie Brock and Venom in the powerful and terrifying Egyptian moon god, Khonshu, voiced by F. Murray Abraham. Later, when he is in dire need of help, he then hears something that sounds like his own voice, and in a way, it is, as he then starts talking with Marc.
Before he meets his end at the hand of the monster chasing him, Steven sees himself and Marc in mirrors, and what better way to capture the moment than with a humorous meme. Interestingly, mirrors are being used throughout the MCU’s marketing to signal the growing and fracturing multiverse – just look at the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness poster – so perhaps this was a little nod to that.
With A Voice Like That...
For diehard Moon Knight fans, the show made a curious choice in having the first episode follow Steven Grant. Throughout the comics, Marc Spector is the primary personality, and Steven was an alter that he developed in his youth. However, choosing Steven as the protagonist – at least so far – allows the show to play with fans’ expectations and draw audiences in.
One of the first reactions to the show’s trailer was in response to Isaac’s strange British voice, and while it was ridiculed and joked about by many, it seems perfectly in tune with Steven as a character. However, some have theorized that since Marc will still likely be the prominent personality, Steven’s voice does make sense – Marc is American so he is putting on a voice to be Steven, some claim. Whether this is true or just a directorial and acting choice remains to be seen.
What's To Come
There is truly nothing like Moon Knight so far in the MCU. Not only it’s the story unique, but the aesthetic is too – clearly drawing from horror and thrillers as fits the source material. While this will likely not remain so with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to explore that genre even more, Moon Knight serves as an authentic way to introduce these types of stories to classic MCU fans.
There is still no confirmation of Isaac’s involvement in future projects beyond Moon Knight or if the show will receive a second season like Loki. This seems probable since it has not been set up as a miniseries like WandaVision. However, then the question opens up of where else Moon Knight could pop up, such as in the yet-untitled Halloween Special, which will supposedly follow Gael Garcia Bernal as Werewolf-By-Night. This would make sense since Moon Knight actually premiered in a Werewolf-By-Night comic book in 1975.
Oscar Isaac, Triple Threat
Of course, this is not Oscar Isaac’s first time in a major pop-culture franchise – famously starring as Resistance ace, Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Part One, set to hit theaters later this year.
He, therefore, s the club of actors who have portrayed multiple Marvel characters in and out of the MCU. This exclusive group includes Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, Gemma Chan, Josh Brolin, and following the release of Kraven the Hunter next year, Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Unlike his brief time as Apocalypse, it looks like Isaac will be a mainstay in Marvel entertainment as Moon Knight.