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The penultimate episode of Moon Knight dropped today, and it is a more emotional and touching story than we’ve seen in previous episodes. Episode 5, “Asylum” stars Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke, Antonia Salib, Fernando Andrade and Rey Lucas. This episode is directed by Mohamed Diab and is written by Rebecca Kirsch and Matthew Orton.
Balance the Scales
Episode 5 focuses on the backstory of Marc Spector and Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac), but still keeps the momentum of the show moving. After the cliffhanger from episode 4, we were all excited to see where this story would go. For fans of the Lemire comic book run (2016-2017), the setting and certain aspects of the story might seem familiar, but the change in direction really hit hard for this episode.
As we see Marc and Steven trying to work together to uncover their past, flashes of Marc speaking with ‘Dr. Harrow’ (Ethan Hawke) makes both the character and the audience question what’s happening. Again, comic book fans will recognise this, but to see it played out on the screen is somehow more heartbreaking.
The story of this episode is so cleverly created and played with, and all of the different aspects flow and work together incredibly well. How the uncertainty around the character is created feels so real and shocking, and keeps you hooked from the very beginning. Once we have found ourselves settled into what we think, the emotion and heartbreak of Marc Spector/Steven Grant’s backstory will leave you an emotional wreck at the end of the episode.
Work Together
While all of the cast in this episode are fantastic, the real shining star here is Oscar Isaac. To play both Steven and Marc so seamlessly, and to do it with so much emotion is a real talent. We all know how talented Isaac is as an actor, but here he is really given the opportunity to show off his range and abilities. We’ve previously seen how good he is in the action scenes, and he has great comedic timing in parts as Steven, but here he is raw and emotional. His performance is subtle and pure, but so convincing. He truly portrays the emotion of the scenes and is beautifully heartbreaking in this episode.
Other fantastic performances here come from Fernando Andrade as Wendy Spector and Rey Lucas as Elias Spector. While Marc and Steven are trying to come to terms with what has happened, the impact of Marc’s parents becomes evident, and the performances from Andrade and Lucas are beautiful. They make you feel the fear, betrayal and emotion that Marc must have experienced, and even though we don’t see much of them throughout the episode, they command the scene when they are there.
Ethan Hawke as the strange and unnerving Dr Harrow is also a great addition to this episode. We know this character well from the rest of the series, and to see him now as a kinder character is unsettling. He wants you to trust him, but there is still something not quite right about him. Hawke is a little bit creepy and difficult to like, and he does well in this performance.
In the Field of Reeds
Moon Knight episode 5 has been one of my personal favourites so far. The story is intelligent, well thought out, and tackles some darker themes than we would expect from Marvel. The acting is on point and heartbreaking, and it a prime example of the talent involved in the show. There seems to be no part of this episode that is not fantastic, but there are still a lot of loose ends to be tied up next week.
I have confidence that this show will end as well as it started, as the creative team behind it have been incredible throughout. Mohamed Diab is a visionary and has set the bar for future Marvel projects. Whatever the outcome for Marc, Steven and Moon Knight, we can be certain that it will be something incredible.
Moon Knight episodes 1-5 are now streaming on Disney+
Pre-order the Funko Pop Vinyls of some of your favourite Moon Knight characters. Check out Mister Knight and Arthur Harrow!
And don’t forget to check out the Lemire & Smallwood Moon Knight run!
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
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