Media Analysis (TV show character)
I love talking about both Marvel and mental health, which is why I have plenty to say about the 2022 Disney+ show Moon Knight. At the time I’m writing this, four episodes have premiered so far, and this analysis ignores the mysterious last 15 minutes of the fourth episode.
The first episode introduces the audience to Steven Grant. The episode gives a sense of confusion for both the audience and Steven himself, as the settings and context of the scenes change constantly with no explanation. Steven soon discovers, mainly in the second episode, that he has another identity: Marc Spector.
These separate identities are a result of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), where the brain fails to integrate different aspects of personae, memories, and consciousness. The identities are called alters, usually formed during childhood as a way to psychologically escape from prolonged trauma. Steven and Marc are the two alters; one is meek and socially awkward while the other is aggressive and confident.
Some parts of DID are exaggerated in Moon Knight, such as face-to-face discussions with an alter through reflections. However, that doesn’t mean Moon Knight doesn’t portray mental health in a genuine manner. Fans online have said that the show does not stigmatize DID. The cast and crew have also stated that they put a lot of effort into tackling DID seriously and respectfully, hoping that Moon Knight ultimately has a positive message about mental health.
Moon Knight addresses symptoms of DID. The first episode does a fantastic job at making the audience feel what Steven feels: confusion. When it comes to DID, a person’s alters may not always cooperate with one another, and when that person switches between alters, they experience memory gaps. The constant change in setting in the first episode is indicative of Steven’s memory lapses and lack of control over his life. Additionally, the first episode depicts derealization and also makes the audience feel a similar way; the scenes with Arthur Harrow, the main villain, convince the audience that those scenes are not a part of Steven’s reality when in fact they are. DID also brings significant distress to a person’s surroundings, and Steven tells Marc in the second episode, “I can’t go on a bloody date. I can barely keep a goldfish alive. I lost my job. It’s been you. It’s always been you, eating away at parts of my life like a parasite.” In the same scene, just before Steven makes that statement, he has feelings of depersonalization. Basically, Steven doesn’t feel like himself; he feels like the passenger of his body rather than the driver.
Steven initially didn’t know about Marc even though Marc already knew about Steven. Steven didn’t know that the strange disturbances of his life were a result of his other identity being in control. Despite the guy being born as Marc, Steven is more of the show’s protagonist, whose perspective adds more layers of bewilderment and psychological horror to the gradual unfolding of the plot. Upon meeting Marc, there is tension between the two alters, as Steven and Marc have different objectives, motivations, and responsibilities. Now, Steven must learn to come to terms with Marc’s existence and problems, and the two alters try to work together harmoniously. Their story is one of identity, emotional truth, and acceptance.
Word Count: 549
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