Moon Knight episode 4

The Disney Plus Marvel Cinematic Universe show brings its powerless hero on a surreal ride.

This episode also confirms that Layla is the MCU version of Marlene Alraune, Marc's wife and sometime partner to Moon Knight's vigilante activities in the comics. - After Marc rescues Steven from the sarcophagus, they run by another and it's shaking violently. Harrow acts as Marc's therapist (looking a little more buttoned down in his mustache and sweater vest) but Marc ultimately flees from his honeyed words. We find Marc in a mental institution populated by characters from the show (including Steven's mean museum boss and Harrow's police goons), who've taken on roles as patients and staff. After Marc battles Harrow's goons, the villain shoots him and claims the ushabti ( ancient Egyptian figurine) Ammit is imprisoned in. Moon Knight felt very much like Indiana Jones or The Mummy with a dash of Alien on Wednesday, as episode 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series hit Disney Plus and sent its heroes running around an Egyptian tomb.

This week's episode changes everything for Marc Spector. moon-knight-episode-4-recap-oscar-isaac-feature Image via Disney+.

— whatever other world Marc has been trapped in is sufficiently disorienting and unsettling, and it feels like a great victory when the heavily drugged Marc regains his senses and escapes from Harrow, only to find himself freeing Steven (now in a distinct, separate body but still sharing Oscar Isaac’s face) from the depths of a sarcophagus. This admittedly feels like a cheap gag or stab at incorporating history into the series just for the sake of it, as Alexander was closer to Cleopatra and the Roman Empire than he ever was to the gods of ancient Egypt, Ammit and Khonshu included. In typical adventure film fashion, Layla and Steven are separated, and while Steven gets to experience the brunt of the important, plot-revealing moments, Layla is forced to deal with an inhuman horror that makes Arnold Vosloo’s Imhotep look like child’s play — and not the Chucky kind. Marc, naturally, musters just enough control of his own body to punch Steven in the face with his own fist — but is it really kissing another man’s wife when you share the same body? At the start of this week’s episode, Khonshu is now trapped in an ushabti, a type of ancient Egyptian funerary figure meant to possess the spirit of a living thing to assist pharaohs or other high-ranking officials given burial rites in the afterlife. As if things could get any more intense for Marc Spector, this week’s Moon Knight is dragging the avatar of the moon god into all-new territory, forcing him to deal with truths about himself and the universe, including those from beyond the grave.

Should we start with the twist? I think we have to start with the twist, right? It's not every day when an MCU show goes out of its way to recreate arguably ...

(Who knew flares could be so versatile a weapon?) And we did finally get a lovely, intimate scene between Layla and Marc, in which his utter disbelief at having to explain to her how he was there when her father was executed is only exceeded by the shame he feels at finally needing to hear himself say those words aloud. MCU properties live or die by the strength of their villains, after all, and his Harrow is a particularly slippery one, so self-righteous that he feels distractingly real. Which is maybe why I was so taken aback—in the best of ways—when we got to that twist. So instead we had some tense conversations and one attack from a very scary being (again, I already had Buffy and her vamps in my mind before that “Normal Again” reset) that pushed our heroes to be the resourceful folks they’ve shown themselves to be. But maybe the identity of this new high-pitch voiced character, who rightfully scares the shit out of Marc and Steven (yes, you read that right), is best left for next week’s recap (in the meantime, google “Taweret”). We should concern ourselves instead with this bifurcated episode instead. In the middle of the desert.

Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke) is closing in on Ammit's tomb. Khonshu (voiced by F. Murray Abraham) has been trapped inside a novelty miniature statue, and with ...

At this stage of "Moon Knight," Harrow is clearly winning, but the show's already started teasing future challenges for Moon Knight in the event of the current antagonist's defeat. Up to this point, it's been clear that Harrow is a zealot of the highest order, but he's personally seemed to consider himself the only sane man in a broken world. In "Moon Knight" Episode 4, he explains that his Ammut-related scale powers work by subjecting him to specific sinful and painful moments of a subject's past, which doesn't seem too great for one's mental health, especially since Harrow seems to do it on pretty much daily basis. Oh, and of course, there's also the minor matter of the large, hippo-headed goddess who happily greets Marc and Steven in the final shot. While he doesn't actually sprout a crocodile head in this version of the story, he does bring his trademark brand of vaguely menacing warmth in his scene with Marc, which is arguably even creepier. After all, as interesting as Layla has been so far, her conversation with Harrow confirms her involvement in one of the most iconic Moon Knight stories: The death of her comic book counterpart's father, and the rebirth of Marc Spector. This seems like the kind of thing that the MCU wants to show the audience, so at the very least, it seems reasonable to expect a flashback scene of the incident that acts as the origin story of both Moon Knight and Layla the adventurer. Usually, the protagonist getting shot in the chest would be the biggest wham moment in any given show, but true to its offbeat nature, "Moon Knight" finds a way to raise the stakes in the very next scene. It's a bold move to lead in with this instead of keeping the tension simmering on the background, but as it turns out, there's even more trouble on the horizon. Let's take a moment to unpack the impressively weird ending of "Moon Knight" Episode 4. In many ways, a large chunk of the plot treats this as a Layla episode. It's not an ideal situation, but "Moon Knight" Episode 4 turns this predicament into a wildly entertaining 50-minute trek that starts out like a less comedic version of "The Mummy" before unleashing a cascade of horrific moments, dramatic reveals, and one extremely surprising change of scenery. The Moon Knight armor is unavailable after Khonshu exited stage left, and Marc Spector ( Oscar Isaac) remains a divisive figure to both Layla El-Faouly ( May Calamawy) and the Steven Grant personality.

Episode directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead break down the big "Moon Knight" twist.

When Marc and Steven are trying to escape, they catch sight of a second sarcophagus: one whose contents are threatening to burst out in a truly menacing fashion. Moon Knight has made significant changes to the character of Steven Grant. For instance, in the comics, he's a billionaire. Is she here to help Marc Or is she in cahoots with Harrow? Fingers crossed we'll find out in episode 5. With Khonshu currently out of commission in the show, Moon Knight may be taking a different approach to Lemire's comics. "There's just an enormous amount of light in one part and darkness in the other," Moorhead said, "A more handheld, vérité approach in one and then a more still, smoother approach on the other." There is a comic book precedent for Marc being in a psychiatric hospital. Benson and Moorhead switched up the cinematography in order to fully drive home the contrast between the two settings. So when there's these gigantic shifts in the story, especially the one in episode 4 — which is so much fun — we try to deliver a whole lot of visual and tonal contrast really quickly all at once." "The surrealness comes from the subjective experience that Marc/Steven is having at the time," Benson continued. To say things get weird in episode 4 of Moon Knight would be an understatement. Marc rightfully gets the hell out of there. Even weirder is the fact that Marc is clutching a Moon Knight action figure, suggesting Moon Knight is another pop-cultural figure Marc enjoys.

Moon Knight episode 4 featured some big revelations, including a huge hint the show may be about to introduce a whole new personality into the mix. Spoilers ahead. After Marc wakes up in a mental institution near the end of episode 4, he meets Steven ...

A new cryptic poster of a bingo card posted to the Marvel show’s official account could also be a tease about the character. Both Steven and Marc argue over the fact it was not them who did the killing, hinting that it was another personality entirely. As with all of Marc’s personalities in the comics, Jake began as one of his disguises to help him infiltrate the criminal underworld.

You might also be baffled about who that Egyptian hippo goddess is, how the episode's final scenes were inspired by Jeff Lemire's Moon Knight comic series, what ...

He was the King of Macedonia in ancient Greece between 356 to 323 BC, so his inclusion in Moon Knight episode 4 isn't an original MCU storyline that acts as plot exposition for the superhero's Disney Plus show. Thanks to more spoilers (cheers, Variety...) on the Moon Knight red carpet, we already know that Marc's parents will appear in the show. For one, Marc encounters a locked sarcophagus, in a room that he hides in, with someone trying to break out – and it's Steven! The pair's joyful reunion is quickly cut short, though, as they realize that they need to escape. Curtis' comments only serve to hype them up even more, so here's hoping that Moon Knight's third act brings the show to a fitting end. Hang on – who is Tawaret? In ancient Egyptian religion, Tawaret (voiced by newcomer Antonia Salib) is the god of fertility and childbirth. So, what else happens in Moon Knight episode 4? Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson – directors on episodes 2 and 4 – have previously spoken about how Lemire's run inspired the aesthetic and tone of Moon Knight's latest entry, and episode 4 proves it. Layla is one of Marc's fellow in-patients, while Arthur Harrow is later revealed to be the chief psychologist in charge of running the establishment. With Khonshu imprisoned by the other Egyptian gods in episode 3, though, he isn't around to help Marc/Steven anymore, which is why the duo can be wounded or even killed. This is your final warning: we're about to dive into major spoilers for Moon Knight episode 4. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the Marvel Phase 4 project's latest episode, with numerous journalists and websites – ourselves included – hinting that something major would go down in Moon Knight episode 4. Allow us, then, to be your guide on Moon Knight episode 4's ending.

Near the end of the episode, Oscar Isaac's Marc Spector/Steven Grant is shot by Ethan Hawke's Arthur Harrow. After falling backward through some water, Spector ...

But the direction in which the series is taking audience is slowly turning into a labyrinth," thinks this fan. This fan was very impressed: "Ok the newest episode of Moon Knight. This was by far the most thought provoking and thrilling. This show is one of the best things Marvel has ever produced." Oscar Isaac's performance is masterful!" "Moon Knight episode 4 is bonkers. Near the end of the episode, Oscar Isaac's Marc Spector/Steven Grant is shot by Ethan Hawke's Arthur Harrow. After falling backward through some water, Spector wakes up to discover himself in a psychiatric hospital.

Moon Knight episode 4 "The Tomb" sure does end on a surprise twist ending. What in the world is up with that hippo and the psych ward and, well, ...

At least, considering the hippo goddess’ pleasant disposition and the protective, nurturing role that hippos play in ancient Egyptian religion, it seems like Marc and Steven may have found a surprising and unlikely ally. It’s incredibly likely that this character is Taweret, the goddess of childbirth and fertility. As in the comics, it’s possible that this whole asylum bit is an illusion conjured up by Harrow — maybe even Khonshu! — to push Marc/Steven towards a desired end. The implication seems to be that Marc has been writing the first 3.75 episodes in his head incorporating everything within his line of sight. They’re standing face to face for the first time, and they are in this together. With a quarter of the episode still to go, the bad guy seemingly wins.

Marvel meets 'Indiana Jones' and 'Tomb Raider' in a mind-bending episode that revolves around multiple mystery boxes.

Though it could just be Khonshu imprisoned in a different vessel, all signs seem to be pointing to another alter ego that neither Marc nor Steven is yet aware of. (This is, of course, for the best, because poor Steven wouldn’t stand a chance, while Layla is starting to make me want to see her star in her own Tomb Raider–style spinoff.) As Layla runs away, the music fades, and only her breathing and the Heka priest’s creepy clicking sounds can be heard. As Moon Knight exits Ammit’s tomb and heads into the psychiatric hospital, the series may be leaving behind Indiana Jones for something closer to psychological horror. Given that Harrow isn’t even a character in Lemire and Smallwood’s story, the TV Moon Knight will likely chart a new course going forward, but the series has a great opportunity to have some fun with Moon Knight’s past as the series races to its conclusion. When the wonderful May Calamawy was cast to play Layla El-Faouly, who was described as an archaeologist, it wasn’t yet clear whether Layla would be a wholly original character or an updated version of one from the comics. Along with adapting Layla’s comics background, the sudden shift to the psychiatric hospital in “The Tomb” is a concept pulled straight from Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood’s Moon Knight run. By choosing to ground the audience in Steven’s life first, while still imparting a similar sense of disorientation through Steven’s growing understanding of his dissociative identity disorder, Slater and Co. have been able to build a unique origin story for Moon Knight while simultaneously playing off the tone and premise of Lemire and Smallwood’s compelling narrative. However, Marc soon wakes up in a psychiatric hospital, surrounded by patients familiar to Marc or Steven—including Layla and Steven’s former boss, Donna—and orderlies who look like Harrow or Anton Mogart’s henchmen. Arthur Harrow has become Dr. Arthur Harrow—as he once was in the comics—and he now serves as Marc’s psychiatrist. The opening of the fourth episode of Moon Knight is concise: With the camera fixed on a dimly lit doorway within the Great Pyramid of Giza, Osiris’s avatar enters a room holding the ushabti of Khonshu in an almost ceremonial fashion, escorting the stone figurine containing the imprisoned moon god to its final resting place. Although Moon Knight can’t live up to the 1981 Spielberg classic, the episode plays like a Raiders-style action adventure—that is, until Marc gets shot by Harrow and suddenly finds himself a patient in a psychiatric hospital. Layla’s father, Abdullah, was a famous archaeologist in Cairo who was murdered by a group of mercenaries, but until Harrow all but spelled it out for her, she never knew that Marc had witnessed Abdullah’s death.

Spoiler alert: If you haven't watched Episode 4 of Marvel's 'Moon Knight,' you might want to turn back now.

There are also plenty of familiar faces in this facility: Layla is a fellow patient, while Arthur is the counselor overseeing their progress, and he sucks just as much in this reality as in the last one. Big fans of the comics who do know his history are going to be happy.” Marc is a patient in this new reality, where he’s a huge fan of Steven Grant, an Indiana Jones-type action hero. The episode begins with Layla and a now-powerless Steven arriving at Arthur’s dig site, where a series of discoveries rattles the couple beyond the point of comprehension. Arthur shoots Marc multiple times in the chest, sending our hero tumbling down a dark abyss. Their journey brings them through all manner of historical nooks and crannies, including the long-lost tomb of Alexander the Great, who was apparently Amit’s most recent avatar.

Marvel's Moon Knight delivers its best episode yet. It's an adventure that has serious Tomb Raider flavor, but with a big twist from one of the most popular ...

To those unaware of Moon Knight’s comic book history, the shift to an asylum might read as the series embracing a shopworn trope. For the first half of the series, Moon Knight has been reluctant to tip its hand towards any one influence. What makes “The Tomb” such a good episode of Moon Knight isn’t simply because Ammit’s tomb has such a great series of setpieces, but because it’s also the place where every character’s arc collides. Were this what the entirety of what Moon Knight turned out to be, that would’ve been a good show. Layla is furious to learn this, but their confrontation gives Harrow and his men enough time to catch up with, and shoot, Marc. He doesn’t die, but instead wakes up sedated in a psychiatric institution. As enjoyable as Moon Knight has been to watch, succinctly describing it has remained a challenge.

Director Mohamed Diab gave us a little tease, but we need answers! Moon Knight Episode 4: Who Was That Hippo Goddess? Image. Amelia Emberwing ...

Does the director simply mean that we’ll be seeing her step beyond the common perception that ends at “maternity symbol”? Or perhaps we’ll see a whole new iteration of the goddess that only loosely ties to what ancient history tells us about the character. Like all mothers, the goddess is well known for her fierce strength and perseverance when push comes to shove. So, how can a goddess mostly known for her fertility and childbirth tip the proverbial scales of Moon Knight? A lot of ways, it turns out! Perhaps noteworthy to future episodes of the series is the legend of Osiris, Set, and Horus. When Set killed Osiris and sought to kill his son, Horus, after his rise to power, Taweret held Set down so Horus could slay him. Growing in popularity in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (2055–1650 BCE), Taweret’s visage started to appear on talismans, household food and drink vessels, and more in this time frame. Tackling a storyline like this is particularly tricky, especially given how seriously the Moon Knight cast and crew has taken the delicate subject of Marc Spector’s mental health.

'Moon Knight' really changed the game with an asylum twist in the end of Episode 4. Here's where things stand for Marc, Steven, Arthur Harrow, and Layla.

The key thing we need to look at is the fact that Marc and Steven are, now, not sharing the same body. It's likely that inside there is the third identity of Marc/Steven. This identity was teased at the beginning of Episode 3, fighting Harrow's goons in Egypt, but has yet to be identified in the series. It's not clear what the hell is happening here, but both sides of Marc—somehow existing separately in the same place—are going to have to figure out how to work together to figure out whatever the absolute hell is happening. And the references in the Disney+ Moon Knight show were clear. But while the duo have largely been adversarial to this point, they were clearly happy to see one another—a delight to see someone they actually know, and validation that neither is completely losing their marbles. This twist is heavily influenced by a 2016 Moon Knight run by writer Jeff Lemire (who also wrote Sweet Tooth and several other beloved comics). Lemire's run depicted Marc Spector in an asylum, where he was constantly made to question his own sanity. Perhaps the most interesting parts of Moon Knight so far has been seeing the ways that the two sides of the same person—Marc Spector and Steven Grant—have had to work together to reach their goals. Up to that point, "The Tomb" had been more of the same of what we've seen: an internal battle ensuing between Marc and Steven, as Marc's wife, Layla, guided the two of them toward an end goal with a mystery to solve. Also in the asylum: Layla. Also in the Asylum: Arthur Harrow, who is apparently... And as if that wasn't enough to be concerned about, the two saw a totally unknown (and seemingly friendly?) hippo god just at the end of the episode. Marc got out of Harrow's asylum office and ran around a bit, finding Steven Grant in a sarcophagus and freeing him, while pounding continued on another sarcophagus in another room. Through the first three and a half episodes of its run, Moon Knight, the latest Disney+ limited series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was entertaining enough, and seemed to be very aware of what it was.