The following contains spoilers for Moon Knight, Episode 5, "Asylum," now streaming on Disney+.
Moon Knight has once again shown how a series set over a decade after the Marvel Cinematic Universe's start could still twist and redefine classic ideas and tropes. In Season 1, Episode 5, "Asylum," the show took the concept of the origin story in a whole new direction. However, the tone and execution made this one stand out among some other iconic tales. While origin stories are often filled with tragedy and end with the rebirth of a hero, Marc Spector's (Oscar Isaac) rebirth was actually a tragedy all along.
The episode spent most of its time exploring the origins of Marc Spector and Steven Grant and why the latter was created as an alternate identity to protect Marc. However, the trauma Marc faced from his abusive mother also painted a picture and mindset for the character that would eventually lead him directly to Khonshu and his future as his Fist of Vengeance. Heroes like Iron Man were born when a dangerous situation made way for introspection and changed Tony Stark's morals. However, Captain America's origin was about volunteering for a dangerous experiment hoping that its success could save millions of people. In Marc Spector's case, his Stark-esque moral compass led him into a dangerous situation, and his Rogers-esque desire to live and fight was turned against him.
In one scene, mercenary Marc Spector was shown betrayed and left for dead in the sands of Egypt. He crawled to the Temple of Khonshu and later tried to kill himself. The moment was more poignant after the episode, given the context that Marc still felt guilt over the death of his brother. As a result, he spent most of his life making amends and running into danger, having never cared if he would live or die. But when Khonshu gave him the chance to be a hero, Marc still hesitated until he finally decided that he could do some good as Moon Knight and make up for his choices.
What wasn't clear until it was too late was that Khonshu had manipulated Marc from the start. As Steven saw how Khonshu spoke to Marc, he could see that he only wanted a new avatar and would say anything to make it happen. Khonshu appealed to Marc's desire for change and used his broken mind to further push Marc to his way of thinking. He even told Marc he was a worthy candidate but would later tell Marc he had found a better avatar in Layla (May Calamawy). But even though Steven saw through the ruse, Marc revealed that maybe he wanted the power because killing was the only thing he felt he could do.
Part of what made Moon Knight's first appearance so tragic was because the scene was framed as the classic rebirth that heroes like Hulk, Spider-Man, Thor and many others experienced. It had all of the pieces, from a broken person rising to be something greater than themselves all the way to the swelling orchestra in the background as Khonshu's ceremonial armor wrapped around Marc. But because it was born through manipulation and coercion, the suit wasn't meant to liberate Marc but to place him in another prison.
Moon Knight isn't a perfect hero. In fact, he's hardly a hero at this point in his life. Solely a killer, Marc and Steven have been trying to right the wrongs of the past and stop an uncertain future from being created. But, without Khonshu, they've gotten a second chance to be something more than a killer. Hopefully, when the time comes that Marc must don the suit again, he will do so not as a fractured killer but as a man willing to face his abusers and fight against them to protect others as his version of Moon Knight.
To see Moon Knight's dark rise, watch the finale of Moon Knight next Wednesday on Disney+.