The fourth episode of Moon Knight continues the saga in Egypt in “The Tomb” after Khonshu’s act of shifting the stars in the sky. With this act, the episode segues right into his punishment at the hands of his fellow Egyptian God Osiris where Khonshu is led into a vault after altering the sky in an effort to prevent Harrow. Yet, this does not derail the overarching goal of the trip to Egypt as Layla, Spector, and Steven Grant continue to seek out the location of Ammit’s tomb. With Steven’s expertise in Egyptian mythology and presumably astronomy, the trio locates the tomb and continues into the maze within.
Within the maze, the trio has come upon the tomb and its accompanying maze but has also brought upon Harrow and his supporters. During this confusing navigation, it is revealed there are zombie-like and/or mummy creatures lurking within the shadows waiting to dispatch any trespassers and disturbances. During these ongoing chases, Layla and Grant are separated from one another and the two encounter very distinct new story elements.
Grant finally lands upon a tomb within and deciphers the hieroglyphics on the sarcophagus to reveal the final avatar of Ammit. Mixing a little theory with history, Grant’s work leads him to the conclusion that Alexander the Great lies in front of him and is the last in fact the last avatar of Ammit.
In the meantime, Layla stumbles upon a chasm in the maze and narrow escapes the mummies at her heels. Across from her stands Harrow. Harrow reveals some juicy details of her familial past and the connection with her soon-to-be ex-husband Marc. Layla’s father was an Egyptian archaeologist named Abdallah El-Faouly who was mysteriously murdered with the reasoning and the action unknown to the surviving daughter. Harrow, seemingly up to causing dissension and mischief, informs the lonely daughter that Marc’s past as a mercenary in actuality previously crossed paths with her father which he has denied. In addition, Layla is told the allegation that Marc is the direct cause of her father’s death.
Following this different side of the story, Spector and Grant wrap up their work with Ammit’s tomb in taking possession of the ushabti while Layla arrives back to the split personality superhero. She confronts her two men about the salacious allegation she has been informed which Spector vehemently denies and explains his mercenary partner committed the murderous act against her father, the fellow diggers, and himself which led to Khonshu reviving Spector and taking him as his avatar. In the midst of this explanation, Harrow narrows in on the trio with Layla seeking safety through the power of the ushabti while Harrow shoots Spector/Grant and the viewer is left without too much explanation.
Yet, the episode does not end on this cliffhanger but rather drags it further. Spector and Grant awake in a hospital setting with the two now being their own sentient beings and attempting to recollect the last action they remember before hearing a loud bang from a nearby sarcophagus where another ancient Egpytian figure, I mean hippo, emerges.
This episode definitely took the Moon Knight series to its next level in its dynamic storytelling. For one, it is the first chance of providing a small peek behind the curtain of the character’s past whether this is Ammit’s last avatar being Alexander the Great or Spector giving a tidbit about his whereabouts on the day of Layla’s father’s death and his origin as Khonshu’s avatar. While the latter may not be the actual truth, it is demonstrating the series is going to attempt to throw the book at the viewer giving them the opportunity to learn more about these characters and what has driven them to this point in the final two episodes.
Furthermore, the final frames of the fourth episode present the series with a unique opportunity and showcase for the phenomenal Oscar Isaac. While he has brilliantly juggled the idea of split personality in the first four episodes, the remaining two of the series will offer the actor an opportunity like Tom Hardy in Legend where he gets to portray two distinct characters and personalities within the same aspect ratio of a cinematic experience. I imagine the two’s on-screen dynamics and mannerisms will be even on greater display for comedic and dramatic effect while also entrenching the audience further into this wild mythological ride that Disney+ and Marvel Studios’ have intended to take them on.
Rating: 9.0/10