Review: Moon Knight Episode 1 Is Both Weird and Exciting

I’ve never watched a show before that I was too hooked to stop watching, but at the same time, I didn’t understand what was going on like seven minutes in the episode. That’s the magic of Moon Knight.

But let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Moon Knight Episode 1 just aired, and I’m here to review and share my thoughts about it!

Moon Knight World Setting

So, Moon Knight happens in London. Because Steven – the main character – is a little on the forgetful side, we don’t even know what year it is.

But it’s London, and I assume it’s maybe the present day because nothing that happened in the first episode made me doubt it affects MCU events taking place in America.

If you think I’m wrong, please let me know in the comments below!

Moon Knight Characters Introduction

Aside from Steven, who is amazingly well played by Oscar Isaac, other interesting characters are introduced. Ethan Hawke’s character (whose name I didn’t catch) and his Egyptian-themed cult, Steven’s Co-workers, and a mysterious woman named Layla.

Ethan Hawke’s character is by far the most intimidating of the bunch. Walking all day with glass shards in your feet is disturbing, but I guess constant pain is one of his duties to his goddess?

Steven’s fractured relationships with people revolve around one interesting fact about him.

Steven Suffers From DID

DID or Disassociative Identity Disorder is a mental disorder where a body may house multiple identities, each with its own rich life. Some identities may not even identify as the same gender as the presenting human body.

As of Episode 1, it seems that Steven is unaware of this condition. But, as a grown man, I doubt it’s something he didn’t know by now. But I could be wrong; DID could develop as part of trauma experienced later in life.

We see during the episode how much life is fractured for Steven during his blinks. He didn’t remember meeting people, losing whole days, and even getting to different places without remembering how he got there.

Steven’s bedtime to-do list of making sure he didn’t leave the house or “sleep-walked” is impressive, yet I feel like all his alters know what to do to “clean up” after a blink.

Moon Knight’s Egyptian Shenanigans

The magical aspect of Moon Knight so far is that one of Steven’s alters holds magic. Or, as the Egyptian cultist tells Steven, “There’s Chaos in you.”

The voice that speaks to Steven during his blink to the alps is also the benefactor of said magic powers – an ancient Egyptian God. And this benefactor even knows about Steven’s multiple identities.

Khonshu – the credited name of the voice is an interesting fellow that appears to be from earth 616.

Did the events of Spider-Man prompt this show, or is Moon Knight canon in our universe now, too?

Moon Knight’s Initial Conflict

The tiny golden scarab was responsible for everything Steven went through in this episode. And the creatures looking for it seem to be related to old Egyptian gods, too.

I’d say this scarab is Khonshu’s gift to bestow Moon Knight’s powers on someone if I had to bet.

Now people are after Steven to get that scarab back. And it’s interesting to see how this plot will develop in the next episode.

Conclusion

This episode was confusing, weird but also exciting! I’m ready to know more and hooked on the show. Also, Kudos to this show’s sound and music engineer – fantastic work making the music weave perfectly into the plot.

What did you think about the episode? Sound off in the comments below, and let’s geek out on it!

Moon Knight premieres weekly on Disney Plus.