It was absolutely cute seeing Steven being floored by Layla in Moon Knight Ep 4, kissing her and then immediately punching himself, courtesy of Marc’s strong (and jealous) will.
But it isn’t just DID that will get in the way of any Marc-Layla-Steven triangle. It’s the fact that Marc is tied to Layla’s father’s tragic death too. Just as Layla was beginning to trust the Steven-Marc combo, she learns something horrible.
In Moon Knight Ep 4, Harrow claims that Marc was present when Layla’s dad, Abdallah El-Faouly was being executed, implying that he was the one who killed him. Later, Marc confirms he was there, but it was his partner who carried out the deed.
It’s no secret that Harrow is trying divide up Layla and Marc/Steven by insinuating that the latter was responsible for her father’s death. The sad part is that although Harrow is being manipulative, he isn’t entirely lying. Let’s break that down:
How did Layla’s father die?
Layla already knows that her father died at an archeological dig site, but as it turns out, she doesn’t know everything. In Ep 4, Harrow finally tells her that Marc was present there too when a gang of mercenaries executed her father and his team, He makes it seem like Marc was involved in the bloodshed too.
Thankfully, Marc clarifies in a later scene that he did not kill Layla’s father — It has his partner who got greedy and did it. But before we say, “Phew!” we have to remember that it doesn’t right all the wrong Marc has done during his time as a mercenary. As Layla points out, he brought the killer to her father.
Now, my Spidey-senses are telling me that this partner is none other than Raoul Bushman. He is one of Moon Knight’s biggest adversaries, and yes, also the one who kills Marc and his father-in-law in the comics.
Of course, Marc who died on the Egyptian excavation site, is then resurrected as the Fist of Khonshu and the rest we know is history.
So far, Layla and her father’s story matches up with its comic book counterpart. So it wouldn’t be surprising if the show follows it to the T and introduces Bushman.
Why did Khonshu save Marc and chose him as his avatar?
Khonshu chose Marc because he has a “weak mind” — by that he’s referring to his dissociative identity disorder. Harrow adds to this saying a “weak mind” makes it easier for Khonshu to control his avatar’s actions.
From the get-go, Khonsu and Marc’s relationship has been quite toxic relationship. We see the Egyptian threaten him, encourage him to kill, and even praise him for how valuable he can be.
It is pretty evident that Khonshu is exploiting his avatar/knight. He even blackmails Marc and tells him that he might choose Layla as his next avatar, which Marc wouldn’t want.
As we’re still piecing together what happened to Layla’s father, we might find out how this event affected Marc both emotionally and mentally.
While it is implied that Marc has suffered from DID from a young age, could Layla’s father’s death be the breaking point that sent him over the edge and made him Khonshu’s perfect vessel?
With only two more episodes left, I can’t wait to find out!
About Moon Knight
Moon Knight is an American superhero television series created for Disney+ based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The 6-episode series is directed by Mohamed Diab and the team of Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead. Jeremy Slater is the head writer for the sixth MCU Show.
The series follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.
Oscar Isaac, May Calamawy, and Ethan Hawke star in the Disney+ series.
No Comments on Moon Knight: Layla’s Dad’s Death is Connected to Marc’s Origin Story