“Moon Knight” has kept fans on the edge of their seats, full of unexpected twists and surprising turns. However, the ending of Episode 4 might have been the biggest cliffhanger yet, as it left viewers in complete suspense. Marc Spector and Steven Grant found themselves in a mental institution, only to encounter an unexpected figure—a hippo goddess. With little context and plenty of unanswered questions, many fans were left wondering what would come next in Episode 5.
Moon Knight’s Ending Explained
Episode 5 of Moon Knight picks up immediately after the incredible events of the previous episode. The duo of Marc and Steven face an even more confusing situation than before, steering a path filled with tragedy, revelations, and surprises. The journey they undertake in this episode has a significant impact on the series and sets the stage for the finale.
In this episode, Marc and Steven essay on a deeply emotional journey through Marc’s past. They traverse memories that are linked to his trauma in order to weigh their hearts against the Feather of Maat. This journey takes them deep into the psyche, unveiling a life-changing truth about Steven. It’s revealed that Steven Grant is not a separate person, but rather an alternate personality that Marc created to shield himself from the abuse he endured from his mother.
The Heart Weighing Ceremony and its Consequences
After this revelation, the hippo goddess Tawaret attempts the heart-weighing ceremony again. Unfortunately, the scales still remain unbalanced, meaning Marc and Steven are unable to enter the afterlife. Their journey aboard the Khufu ship takes an unexpected turn as they near the Gates of Osiris, only to be ambushed by a horde of zombies. Despite Steven’s efforts to steer the ship and help Marc, the situation becomes overwhelming.
As the undead closes in, Steven realizes something important: he’s not just a separate personality; he shares the same strength as Marc. He steps up, fighting off the zombies to protect Marc. However, in a tragic twist, Steven sacrifices himself to save Marc. After fighting off a creature trying to pull Marc overboard, Steven is flung off the ship and falls into the dunes below, turning into a statue of sand. Marc is devastated by the loss of his alter ego, though his grief is interrupted when the ship finally reaches its destination.
Marc’s Arrival in the Field of Reeds
Marc now finds himself in an endless, golden field, basking in the soft rays of a setting sun. This place, the Field of Reeds, is the Egyptian afterlife, Aaru, where those deemed worthy are allowed to live eternally in peace and pleasure. With Steven gone and Marc’s other alter ego, Jake Lockley, locked away in a sarcophagus, it seems that Marc has passed the test. But the question remains: Why did the loss of Steven help Marc reach this point?
Why Did Steven’s Loss Help Marc?
On the surface, Steven’s death seems paradoxical. After all, Steven is far more virtuous than Marc, given his kindness and naivety compared to Marc’s history of violence. Could Steven’s “death” symbolize Marc’s rejection of his painful past and the abuse he suffered? It might represent Marc’s decision to move forward and embrace the possibility of peace in the afterlife, regardless of his trauma.
The lines between reality and illusion are increasingly blurred in Moon Knight. Fans are left to wonder if the entire sequence involving the asylum, the hippo goddess, and the Khufu ship is a ruse by the villain, Arthur Harrow. Harrow has been keenly interested in Marc’s dissociative identity disorder, possibly using it against Marc to weaken him. He’s suggested in the past that there’s chaos within Steven and may have seen Steven as a source of Marc’s strength.
Harrow’s role in the story suggests that he might have orchestrated this journey to drive a wedge between Marc and Steven, hoping to break Marc’s resolve and make him more vulnerable. Another theory is that Marc’s journey to the afterlife is a delusion created by his own mind while he’s in the asylum. This interpretation would suggest that Marc and Steven are trying to escape the harsh reality of their circumstances by imagining this adventure to the afterlife.
Marc’s Potential Return to the Land of the Living
Another possibility is that Marc’s arrival in the afterlife is not permanent. The mention of Wakanda’s astral plane and T’Challa’s ability to cheat death in his solo film hint at a potential path for Marc to return to life. Tawaret’s reference to this astral plane might indicate that Marc could seek help from Osiris, the god of the afterlife, to return to the world of the living. Osiris could provide Marc with the means to reunite with Khonshu and regain his powers.
Could This All Be a Delusion?
A darker interpretation of Marc’s journey suggests that his experience in the Duat could be a prolonged delusion created by Marc and Steven themselves. In this case, the afterlife might be a way for Marc to cope with his trauma and the demons he’s faced throughout his life. The mental institution, the hippo goddess, and the Khufu ship could all be manifestations of Marc’s need to escape reality and reconcile with his troubled past.
Marc’s Path to Healing and Integration
Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, who portray Marc and Harrow respectively, have hinted at a theme of integration in the character’s arc. Isaac has discussed how Marc’s journey involves integrating his fractured personalities, with healing and trauma recovery at the core of his character’s development. Hawke, too, echoed these sentiments, noting that as Marc integrates his personality, reality becomes clearer.
In this context, Steven’s loss could be seen as part of Marc’s process of integration. It’s possible that, through this experience, Marc will come to fully embrace all aspects of himself—both the good and the bad. This might lead to Marc’s eventual healing, allowing him to reconcile with his past trauma.
Will Jake Lockley Help Marc Escape?
The presence of Jake Lockley, the third alter ego, adds another layer of complexity to Marc’s journey. While Jake hasn’t fully emerged yet, hints in earlier episodes suggest he could play a crucial role in Marc’s future. If Marc is trapped in a delusion or mental prison, Jake could be the key to breaking free. Jake is often portrayed as the most violent of Marc’s personalities, and his brutal nature could provide the necessary strength to confront Marc’s enemies or help him navigate the complexities of the afterlife.
The potential conflict surrounding Jake is significant. Marc may be reluctant to let Jake take control due to his violent tendencies, but Jake might be necessary for Marc’s survival. This creates a fascinating dynamic for the upcoming finale.
A Mind-Bending Finale
As Moon Knight heads toward its conclusion, it’s clear that the series has been building toward a mind-bending and emotional finale. Whether Marc is truly in the afterlife or trapped in a delusion, the stakes are incredibly high. The journey of integration, healing, and self-acceptance will likely shape Marc’s fate. Whether he finds peace in the afterlife or fights his way back to life, the finale promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable conclusion to a series filled with twists and turns.
