Moon Knight Episode 2: A Journey Through Duality, Deception, and the Pursuit of an Ancient Power

Moon Knight episode 2 — now available on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar — presents an intriguing continuation for the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although it has a runtime of 51 minutes, including credits, surprisingly little transpires in this installment. This may stem from the fact that the episode comprises fewer than six scenes overall. It primarily outlines the realm of Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac) — a life that both Steven Grant (Isaac) and the viewers are yet to understand. We discover that Marc is married to Layla El-Faouly (May Calamawy) and that they shared adventures in the past. Additionally, Moon Knight episode 2 suggests that the Egyptian moon deity Khonshu — whose name is confirmed here — rescued Marc from a brush with death.

Concurrently, Steven’s life is falling apart. He is fired from his position at a London museum in Moon Knight episode 2. He learns he has been confronting individuals with his bare hands at night for years. (While I understand they are two distinct personalities, they occupy the same body. Shouldn’t he feel the consequences in the morning?) He concludes the latest episode of Moon Knight completely devoid of control over his body, and when he awakens, he will find himself across a continent, having traveled from Europe to Africa, with Moon Knight episode 2 culminating in Egypt. It’s apt that a series featuring multiple Egyptian deities — along with an Egyptian director and an Egyptian-Palestinian actress — would choose this setting. It appears the show’s location will transform for at least one, if not multiple, episodes.

For what it’s worth, Steven sports a unique version of the Moon Knight costume. Departing from Marc’s traditional cape and hood ensemble, his interpretation features an off-white three-piece suit, complete with a snug full-face mask adorned with a crescent-shaped symbol at the forehead. The credits of Moon Knight episode 2 identify it as Mr. Knight.

Moreover, we gain insights into the antagonist’s grand scheme. In Moon Knight episode 2, cult leader Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke) discloses his desire to bring back the Egyptian goddess Ammit — which is the reason he’s pursuing Steven, as the Scarab appears to be essential for locating Ammit. With Moon Knight episode 2 concluding in Egypt, I’m anticipating that we will uncover more about Ammit in Moon Knight episode 3.

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Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow, wielding the staff imbued with Ammit’s power, in Moon Knight episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

Moon Knight episode 2 — titled “Summon the Suit”, directed by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, and scripted by Michael Kastelein — resumes right after the conclusion of episode 1. Or at least, it picks up where Moon Knight episode 1 left our anxious little gift shop worker, Steven Grant. Steven awakens in bed, haunted by nightmares of the creature encounter. However, he is once again chained to his bed. After all, he loses all memories when he surrenders control of his body to Marc Spector, which is what occurred in episode 1. Upon realizing that Marc communicates with him occasionally via mirrors, Steven attempts to converse with him in the bathroom mirror, but receives no response.

In Moon Knight episode 2, Steven arrives at work, where he bumps into security guard JB (Alexander Cobb) just as he’s about to review last night’s security footage. Oddly enough, there’s no evidence of that Egyptian jackal — the peculiar supernatural creature from episode 1 — on the CCTV footage. All that is visible is Steven fleeing in panic and creating chaos, while Marc gazes at the camera as he exits the museum. Naturally, the National Art Gallery staff decides to terminate his employment due to the damages incurred, albeit with an offer for psychological assistance.

On his way home in Moon Knight episode 2, Steven chats with the living statue Crawley (Shaun Scott), sharing his discovery of a flip phone and a key hidden in his flat. Now jobless, Steven sets out to locate the storage locker that matches the key, succeeding after five attempts. Inside, he finds a bed, several boxes, and a bag. The bag contains a gun, a substantial sum of money, and an American passport bearing the name Marc Spector. Alternate identity confirmed! And amidst this, he uncovers the Scarab that Arthur had been asking from Steven in Moon Knight episode 1. As Steven clicks open the Scarab, a segment of it hovers and points in a certain direction — he realizes it’s not indicating north like a compass.

At that moment, Marc emerges in the reflection of the storage locker in Moon Knight episode 2. Unsurprisingly, Steven wants to understand who he is — and how he has access to belongings that typically belong to secret agents. Marc responds, “I serve Khonshu, I’m his Avatar. We protect the defenseless and administer Khonshu’s justice upon those who warrant it.” Steven quips that it’s the most ridiculous thing he has ever heard. “I eat one piece of steak, and boom, I lose my mind,” he observes, delivering one of the standout jokes from this new Marvel series. (Furthermore, I’d like to mention the absurdity of Isaac pronouncing the word avatar as in the film Avatar. So much for Diab’s claims of authentic representation, when he can’t even get his American actors to articulate a Sanskrit-derived word correctly.)

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Oscar Isaac’s Steven Grant confronts Isaac’s Marc Spector in Moon Knight episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

Marc informs Steven that if he merely stays out of his way and allows him to complete his task for Khonshu, he will fade away. In turn, Steven insists that he will never relinquish control again. In fact, he declares he’ll never sleep again if that’s what it takes to distance himself from Marc. Steven intends to report everything he has uncovered about Marc to the authorities and hopes the NHS — the British healthcare system — will sedate him with enough medication so he forgets all of this. However, just as he departs the storage locker in Moon Knight episode 2, the lights begin to flicker. He once again sees that bizarre towering figure from episode 1, only this time it approaches him.

Steven begins to flee in Moon Knight episode 2, exiting the storage locker area and the building, but ends up tripping and falling right next to an oncoming scooter. The scooter is revealed to be operated by Layla — the woman he talked to on the phone in episode 1 — who informs him that she tracked him down using his phone. “I thought you wanted me to,” she comments. Layla then clarifies that she is his wife — technically, she’s Marc’s wife — and she is curious why he just vanished. She believed he would be fine given he had the suit (wait, she knows?!) but was also concerned that he had been kidnapped again (wait, when was he kidnapped before?). Steven simply requests that she takes him back to his flat, where he can explain everything.

Upon returning to his flat, Layla is surprised to discover that Steven is interested in her passions. Steven’s favorite French poet coincidentally is also Layla’s favorite. He’s studying hieroglyphics and the Egyptian alphabet, subjects she is already knowledgeable about. Layla then brings up Moon Knight episode 2, mentioning that he (referring to Marc) sent her divorce papers but never signed them. Steven asserts that he would never divorce her — buddy, you were never married to her — and vows to tell her everything, unlike Marc, who keeps lying. However, just as he prepares to reveal the Scarab, Marc interferes in his mind, cautioning him that he is doing this to protect Layla. If Steven involves her, it will be his fault if anything happens to her, Marc warns.

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May Calamawy as Layla El-Faouly in Moon Knight episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

That stops Steven in his tracks, but he has already disclosed too much. Layla’s curiosity is piqued, and she demands to know what he has in the bag. She grabs it from him, revealing the Scarab inside. Layla is shocked to discover that they — Marc and she — previously fought for the Scarab together. However, Steven has no recollection of their history or adventures. It appears Marc has been withholding information from Layla for quite some time, and his attempt to divorce her is further alienating her.

Before their conversation can delve deeper, the police arrive at Steven’s door in Moon Knight episode 2. As they search through his flat — sorry, don’t they need a warrant? — they inevitably uncover the Marc Spector passport. Layla had managed to escape through a window before the police entered. They already suspect he has stolen something — are they here for the Scarab? How would they even know about it? — and now he also faces charges for forging a passport. As the police apprehend him, they reveal that Marc Spector is considered an international fugitive. He was once part of a mercenary group that attacked a dig site in Egypt and executed archaeologists by shooting them in the back of the head. Something seems amiss, however, because instead of delivering him to a police station, they take him to a dark alley.

Ah, they are fake cops — and they’ve brought him to Arthur. As Steven exits the car, Arthur inquires, “Do you believe Khonshu chose you because your mind was easy to manipulate or because it was already broken?” Wait, is Arthur referring to that tall creature with a bird skull for a head? It certainly appears so, confirming my suspicions from Moon Knight episode 1. That indeed is Khonshu, the Egyptian moon god.

Back to Moon Knight episode 2. Steven asserts he’s not broken, merely in need of assistance. Arthur claims that’s precisely why he’s here. Khonshu reappears and instructs Steven to kill Arthur, a command that Arthur seems to anticipate. How did he know? Arthur continues with his explanations, sharing that the neighborhood where they stand once had the highest crime rates in the city. Arthur helped, and now people don’t even lock their doors at night. They proceed into a community kitchen where Arthur mentions that the food is complimentary — he names the lentil soup, which is essentially a fancier version of dal — while Steven observes people enjoying what looks like a soothing natural history program.

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Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant, Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow in Moon Knight episode 2
Photo Credit: Csaba Aknay/Marvel Studios

As some nearby metal trays crash to the ground, Arthur mentions that Khonshu tends to have tantrums, which led to his banishment from the other Egyptian gods. His views on vengeance haven’t sat well with the others either. Throughout this, Khonshu continues to communicate with Steven, stating he only punishes those who have committed wrongdoing. Arthur then reveals in Moon Knight episode 2 that he can foresee Khonshu’s words because he was Khonshu’s previous Avatar — prior to Marc. He asserts that Khonshu’s judgment occurs only after evil has transpired. “Ammit understands this and eliminates threats before evil occurs,” Arthur adds. We need to resurrect Ammit, Arthur insists, and the Scarab is necessary for locating her. Therefore, the Moon Knight antagonist’s elaborate plan involves bringing back an Egyptian deity? How delightful.

Naturally, Steven raises the question we’ve all been pondering. If Ammit judges before evil is committed, how can one consider the person guilty? How can a thought even be deemed evil? How could one commit murder against a child before they actually do anything? This touches on the frequently mentioned ethical dilemma surrounding the notion of killing baby Hitler. Arthur provides a metaphor, claiming that one might amputate a limb to prevent an infection from spreading throughout the body. Steven promptly counters that a child is not an infected limb, addressing Arthur’s brainwashed followers and questioning whether they truly have no moral compass regarding child murder. Arthur deflects the conversation in Moon Knight episode 2, shifting the focus to his cane. It holds a shard of Ammit’s power, allowing him to utilize the supernatural scales of justice on his arm to judge individuals.

Upon merely hearing about the cane, everyone — including Steven and Arthur’s followers — instinctively back away. The cult leader demands that Steven hand over the Scarab, but he claims he doesn’t possess it. This time, he’s telling the truth. Suddenly, Layla appears out of nowhere, announcing that she has the Scarab, raising it for everyone to see. Layla then strides toward Steven in Moon Knight episode 2, urging him to summon the suit so they can escape safely. However, Steven continually misconstrues her requests, forcing Layla to dash for it with him. A composed Arthur drives his cane into the ground, triggering the emergence of another Egyptian jackal.

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Oscar Isaac as Mr. Knight in Moon Knight episode 2
Photo Credit: Disney/Marvel Studios

As Layla and Steven search for an exit from the community kitchen, Layla reveals she can handle herself physically. Unfortunately, they find themselves cornered and must bolt a massive door, hiding behind it. Once again, Layla urges Steven to summon the suit — especially as the Egyptian jackal attempts to break through — but he seems either unable or unwilling to give control to Marc. The heavy door swings open, revealing that Moon Knight episode 2 indicates Layla cannot see the jackal. Only Steven/Marc can. As Steven is hurled out of the window, he fervently attempts to “summon the suit” by repeating the words incessantly — and fortunately, he executes a perfect superhero landing just in time.

However, the suit that Steven manages to summon in Moon Knight episode 2 is drastically different from the one we witnessed at the end of episode 1. Marc, appearing in a reflection, questions the choice of attire. “Why do you have us dressed like ‘psycho Colonel Sanders’?” he queries. Steven defends his choice, saying, “You requested a suit, and this is what I came up with.” Marc replies that this isn’t the ceremonial armor of Khonshu. Their bickering has to be paused as their focus shifts to more pressing matters.

The Egyptian jackal leaps forward and overwhelms Steven. The fact that he doesn’t perish is, I assume, due to Khonshu’s protection. This prompts confusion as to how Layla escapes with minimal injuries after being battered by the jackal. Steven strives to retaliate against the creature, landing a solid hit, but he ultimately recognizes that the challenge is beyond him. He concedes control to Marc, who twirls around and shifts the battleground, leading the jackal on a rooftop chase. He ultimately performs an impressive mid-air stab, expertly impaling the creature. Moon Knight may have lacked thrilling action sequences previously, but this scene delivers.

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Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector/ Steven Grant in Moon Knight episode 2
Photo Credit: Gabor Kotschy/Marvel Studios

However, during the encounter with the beast, Marc discovers he has lost the Scarab, which has eventually landed in Arthur’s hands. Not directly, but Layla witnesses him commit a murder over it before she rides away on her scooter in Moon Knight episode 2.

Returning to Marc, he finds himself outside while Steven remains trapped inside. Steven urges him to relinquish control — and he harbors more inquiries about their shared history. Marc divulges that he has been engaged in this mercenary and Khonshu-related business for an extensive time and will disappear once his debt is settled. He points out that without Khonshu, they wouldn’t even be alive. His servitude to Khonshu entails certain obligations. Steven protests that Marc causes harm to others and is abandoning his wife. “I aim to protect her,” Marc insists, asserting that Khonshu desires her as his replacement.

At that moment, Khonshu reappears, expressing that Marc has failed in his commitment. He was tasked with keeping Steven at bay and ensuring he didn’t complicate matters. Marc claims he can manage the situation, although Khonshu seems unconvinced. Marc asserts to Khonshu that he wishes to be left alone once the task is complete. “You thrive on the work I provide for you; we are interdependent,” Khonshu retorts, trying to soothe his avatar. But Marc is beyond placation in Moon Knight episode 2. “You may not appreciate the next candidate I have in mind, considering her close ties to you,” Khonshu now menaces, alluding to his intentions concerning Layla, which Marc has just disclosed.

“Where are we headed?” a frustrated Marc questions, now that the Scarab has slipped away. “Where do you think?” Khonshu mocks. The answer is glaringly apparent to anyone who has been attentively watching Moon Knight. Moon Knight episode 2 transitions to a room where we see Marc drinking straight from a bottle, before he rises and peers out at the balcony for the viewers’ benefit. The pyramids are visible in the distance — I doubt I need to point out where that puts us.

(For those curious, the closing credits song for Moon Knight episode 2 is “El Melouk” by Ahmed Saad feat. 3enba, and Double Zuksh.)

Moon Knight episode 2 is currently streaming on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar. New episodes are released every Wednesday around 12:30pm IST/ 12am PT.

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