Moon Knight Episode 2 Explained

Moon Knight Episode 2 "Summon The Suit" aired on April 6, 2022 exclusively on Disney Plus, ingeniously presenting a physical rendition of Steven Grant's internal battle with Marc Spector, Moon Knight, Mr. Knight, and Khonshu. This episode is filled with key appearances, comic relief, fierce action, and a deeper look into the complexity of this Bronze Age comic book character. The spectator is introduced to Mr. Knight who exhibits yet another persona of the Moon Knight identity. Meanwhile Moon Knight wears ceremonial armor, Mr. Knight wears a three-piece suit, alluding to the comic book tradition of Steven Grant "the millionaire." A simple version of this suit is first seen in Secret Avengers #19 (2012) as Marc Spector manifests the personalities of Jake Lockley and Steven Grant. However, Marc Spector officially adopts the moniker of Mr. Knight in Moon Knight #1 (2014). In this narrative by Warren Ellis with art by Declan Shalvey, Mr. Knight absolves Moon Knight of any criminal backlash that occurred as a result of his dangerous vigilante activities. Mr. Knight, "the high priest," serves as a police ally. The distinction between Moon Knight and Mr. Knight offers protection from being prosecuted on any past offenses. Mr. Knight is collected and his main purpose is to protect those who travel by night from any threat "as simply and completely as possible." 

   

Nevertheless, in the show Steven struggles with the sight of his own reflection, trying to distinguish between what is real and made up. He talks to the street performer painted in gold who happens to be informant Bertrand Crawley and decides to dig deeper into the truth. Steven goes to a storage locker where he finds weapons, Spector's passport, and the scarab. There is a surreal exchange between the two since Spector utilizes Steven's reflection to communicate with him. See-sawing between American English and a British accent, a frantic Steven threatens to take the evidence he just found to the authorities. On his way out of the facility the lights start to flicker and Steven encounters Khonshu himself. Steven is petrified and sprints out of the building, almost getting hit by Layla (May Calamawy), Spector's wife. Without thinking, he hops on her motorcycle as she relentlessly questions him and confesses she found him by tracing his phone. They both flee and make their way to Steven's flat.

    

    Layla's first appearance in the series is unique and new with no direct tie to Moon Knight in the comics. In previous stories, Spector's long-term love interest is Marlene but this nuance could potentially serve as a new layer in Spector's love life. Layla is a fearless archaeologist who originally retrieves the scarab with Spector. Together, Layla and Spector had a life of love and adventure. Unfortunately, Steven Grant cannot recall any of it. Layla thinks it is all a sham since Spector was trying to divorce her in the past. She is vexed by the phony British accent and has the court documents in hand. Steven Grant tries to make a plea for help as she examines his flat and is intrigued by the books he is reading, both reciting a poem by Marceline Desbordes-Valmore. Layla and Steven have intellectual similarities and shared interests that result in an unspoken bond. Although Layla does not fully believe him she is highly intuitive and knows Spector very well. Unfortunately, Spector never told her about his mental health condition, dissociative identity disorder (DID) and she shows an expression of betrayal. Spector claims he was trying to protect her by keeping her out of his affairs and asks Grant to continue doing the same. In the comic book (Moon Knight #1 2014), writer Warren Ellis alludes to Spector's obscure past as a mercenary in which he did many terrible things to innocent people. Spector carries an element of shame which is why Mr. Knight steps in to do right. Mr. Knight meticulously weighs out the odds, making sure the innocent remain unscathed while working alongside police. On the other hand, the show presents a Marc Spector who is only concerned with one thing; paying his debt to Khonshu so he can finally be free of his dominion. Spector shows no regard for anyone else; apathetic to his wife's feelings and nonchalant about the havoc he unleashed in Steven's life. All Marc Spector wants is Steven's body so he can carry Khonshu's will and be free at last. 

    

   Meanwhile, Steven Grant is completely oblivious to this arrangement with Khonshu. There is knocking on his door and thinks the authorities are after him. Steven tells Layla to go and she manages to make an escape with the scarab. The two individuals force their way in and intrusively unravel the details of Marc Spector. Steven and Spector begin to have an episode as each fights to dominate the body, Spector continuously saying, "Give me control." Steven attempts to escape out of the vehicle but is unsuccessful because he is restrained, landing face first on the ground. Suddenly, Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke) removes the handcuffs and begins one of his manipulation schemes. Harrow states the scales do not balance for Steven because it is hard to sort all of his identities. He plays psychological games with Steven asking him if his mind is easy to break or if it is already broken. Also, he reveals he used to be Khonshu's avatar and senses his presence in the background. Khonshu attempts to influence Steven and demands for him to kill Harrow. Steven discovers Khonshu captivates those with a strong moral conscience demonstrating he is more analytical than Spector. According to Harrow, Khonshu punishes those who have walked in dark paths but punishment is implemented much too late. Harrow wants the scarab to find Ammit's Tomb and eradicate the choice of evil. Naively, Steven tells Harrow he does not have the scarab at which point, Layla appears with it. Steven's obliviousness goes hand in hand with his comedy. His current predicament is absurdly tragic since Layla believes she has a solution. "Summon the suit," she repeats yet Steven remains clueless. Instead, Steven runs away and Layla puts up an amazing fight. Harrow sends a jackal after them and as the action intensifies, Steven is thrown outside a window. After summoning the three-piece suit, he appears as Mr. Knight just in time to land unharmed. 

    Spector is questioning the different suit and discourages Steven from fighting. Layla acknowledges the distinct attire showing intrigue for Steven with a mere glance of him. Initially, Layla is unable to see the jackal until she throws liquid at it. This moment is important because it demonstrates all the events are taking place in actuality and not just in the mind of Steven. Spector continues to tell Steven there are way too many innocent people present. Eager to prove Spector otherwise, Steven removes his blazer, rolls up his sleeves, and punches the jackal. His efforts are hardly effective and Layla does her best to help Steven. Onlookers are asking if Steven is having a seizure because the jackal is not visible to them. Spector sees this as a chance to persuade Steven who reluctantly states, "Take control for now." Mr. Knight transforms into Moon Knight with the traditional ceremonial armor, using his crescent moon blades against the creature. Layla realizes she is now in the presence of Spector and yells, "Get it out of here!" Spector does just that, luring the jackal into its imminent death. Next, Spector claims ownership over Steven's body, condemning him to be the reflection self. Steven demands his body back except Spector reveals the one who controls the body is more powerful. 

    

    Once again Spector reassures Steven he could have his body back after he pays his debt to Khonshu. However, Steven insists he will do everything to get his body back. Khonshu engages Spector and shows disapproval for Spector's course of action, claiming he has altered their deal. Spector declares his loyalty and servitude, hoping the deity will honor their agreement. Khonshu further antagonizes Spector by revealing his plans for the next avatar: Layla. Then, they set out to Egypt. Marc Spector is drinking in a hotel room while a distressed Steven is visible through a mirror. Spector opens the curtain and the pyramids at Giza are the last visible clue for what is to come in the next episode. Overall this episode is fantastic, filled with nonstop action and a better understanding of these complex characters. Once Steven becomes trapped as the reflection self he realizes Khonshu is essentially nothing without him and Spector. In Moon Knight #1 (2014) Khonshu is described as a "Pathfinder, Embracer, Defender, and the Watcher of overnight travelers," yet Khonshu also has a vengeful secret aspect. In the show, Khonshu's limitations are highlighted by the presence of Harrow who speaks on Khonshu's obscure nature. The deity's voice and visage seem otherworldly and Steven quickly becomes skeptical about Khonshu's righteousness. At times the spectator cannot help but wonder who the real villain is.