Moon Knight Episode 2 Review: Marc Spector receives some much deserved time in the moonlight in Summon the Suit

Moon Knight‘s sophomore episode, Summon the Suit, improves upon the solid, albeit unspectacular pilot. After focusing heavily on Steven Grant in the pilot, Summon the Suit offers more of a balance between Steven and Marc Spector, which allows Oscar Isaac‘s performance to shine even better than in the pilot.

Steven is still in control for most of Summon the Suit. However, even when he is in control, it’s in service of digging into Marc’s past and Marc’s deal with Khonshu. Marc’s wife, Layla, arrives and adds fuel to Steven’s identity crisis even more. May Calamawy is great as Layla. First, Layla’s furious at Marc and believes Steven is one of Marc’s aliases.

There are two other relationships that receive some time in the moonlight. Marc and Steven spend much more time talking to each other. Ethan Hawke continues to impress with his interpretation of Arthur Harrow. His knowledge as a former emissary of Khonshu makes him a terrifying adversary. His approach to justice horrifies Steven.

The directing by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson is leaps and bounds better than the pilot. The cinematography is simply gorgeous, especially near the end of the episode as Moon Knight is running across London rooftops bathed in gorgeous moonlight. Not too different from the Canto Bight chase sequence in The Last Jedi.

Summon the Suit gets off to a slow start. However, once Layla shows up, there’s nothing to complain about in the episode.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood out in Summon the Suit. There may be some minor spoilers. Moon Knight is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Marc and Steven Summon the Suit

The pilot was almost entirely about Steven’s world with Marc offering assistance and Khonshu rebuking Steven. In Summon the Suit, Steven may be in charge, but the story is all about Marc and how Steven perceives Marc as he dives deeper into Marc’s history.

As was hinted at in the first episode, but comes into clearer focus in this episode, Steven is just a really good guy. He’s horrified at Marc’s past as a Mercenary, calls out Arthur for his approach to justice and does what he can to protect Layla after Marc asks him to refrain from telling her the truth. He even spawns his own suit, which is different from the Moon Knight costume which enveloped Marc and Steven in the last episode. When Marc does eventually gain control, he doesn’t relinquish control as the episode ends with Steven in the mirror and Marc looking out at Egypt from a hotel room window.

Marc is more calm and capable than Steven. Khonshu prefers Marc to be in control. Steven wants freedom from Marc’s influence. Marc wants freedom from Khonshu in a similar fashion. Khonshu’s veiled threat of possessing Layla forces Marc to work on Khonshu’s behalf.

The interactions between Steven and Marc are handled much more competently than in the first episode. Steven has much more of a backbone than in the 1st episode. When he refuses to allow Marc to take control, it makes sense in this episode.

Khonshu vs Ammit

The physical and philosophical battle between Egyptian gods Khonshu and Ammit is just beginning. Both gods have vessels doing their bidding. Each has its own viewpoint on justice.

Khonshu is using Marc and to a lesser, unwanted degree Steven to deal out justice to people who have committed atrocities. The concept isn’t too different from Batman or Daredevil who take down criminals after they commit crimes.

Ammit is working through Arthur to extract her brand of justice. Similar to the precogs in Minority Report, Arthur can see potential future evil thanks to Ammit’s connection. Ammitt believes punishment should be delivered before a person commits a crime. As Steven points outs, this means killing someone who is innocent. The person could change or go on to do the very thing he’s predicted to, but killing them rips that chance away from them.

The cool, calm, seemingly knowledgable demeanor of Arthur makes this message seem more palatable. Hawke’s performance and his chemistry with Isaac shine, especially in a simple scene involving lentil soup.

The Archeologist and the Mercenary

Layla is Marc’s wife. They found the scarab together in Egypt. Marc went AWOL and Layla’s been searching for him ever since.

Layla found out Marc was in London when Steven called her in the pilot. She believes Steven is a cover and isn’t buying the British accent at first. Once she catches back up with him at Arthur’s compound, she knows it’s not a ruse.

The only worrisome aspect is Marc choosing to lie to Layla for her protection, which continues to be an unnecessary crutch in comic book movies and television. Marc wants to keep Layla away since Khonshu really wants Layla as his emissary. Unfortunately, Marc didn’t give Layla a choice or even an explanation. He just bailed on her to the point that Marc seemingly started divorce proceedings. Compounding matters is the fact she knows Marc can transform into Moon Knight, yet he decided not to explain his decision to distance himself to her. She certainaly seems capable of understanding his predicament.

Calamawy holds her own opposite Isaac and Hawke. She does a great job of channeling her anger and pain when she finds Steven. Even Steven apologizes for how it appears Marc is treating her. Hopefully, the show will strike the right balance here, because Calamawy as an actress is more than up to the task.

Summon the Suit Final Thoughts

The 2nd episode is a noticeable step up from the pilot in every way. Hesham Nazih‘s score is given room to soar, the cinematography is gorgeous and the dichotomy between Steven and Marc is more balanced.

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