Warning! SPOILERS for Moon Knight episode 5!

Steven Grant dies in Moon Knight episode 5 in a major departure from the comics. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been exploring disassociative identity disorder (DID) through the introduction of Moon Knight in Phase 4. Moon Knight's story has primarily focused on the character's two identities, Steven Grant and Marc Spector, but there have also been teases of a third alter. Despite the identities often fighting for control, Moon Knight episode 5 allows Steven and Marc to work together after the game-changing events of Moon Knight episode 4's ending. Surprisingly, their time together might be over.

The majority of Moon Knight episode 5 follows Steven and Marc as they attempt to balance Taweret's scales in the afterlife by sharing details about their individual memories with the other. This includes revisiting key moments from the show, as well as the lead-up to Marc's childhood trauma serving as the catalyst for the creation of his Steven Grant alter. Just as the two identities start to understand each other better, Moon Knight episode 5's ending seemingly kills Steven Grant as he falls off Taweret's ship and into the sands of Duat. The development is surprising on several levels, including the lack of comic precedence.

Related: Why Khonshu Really Chose Marc Spector To Be Moon Knight

Marvel Studios' decision to kill Moon Knight's Steven Grant marks a first for Marvel, as Moon Knight's identity has never died in the comics. The character of Moon Knight has died several times in the source material, but this traditionally happens with Marc Spector. Khonshu has resurrected Marc every time he's died in the comics, but he's never had to do that for Steven. This is because Steven Grant does not typically put himself in dangerous situations that could end with his death. However, the MCU has significantly altered Steven Grant's characterization. Instead of being a suave billionaire who funds Moon Knight's heroics, Steven is a lowly gift shop employee obsessed with Egyptian mythology and can become Mr. Knight.

Steven turns to stone in Moon Knight episode 5

Instead of having Steven Grant die in the comics to save another of Moon Knight's identities, Marvel has gone in a slightly different direction. There are instances where Marc Spector will abandon his Steven Grant identity. One such example came in 1985 when Marc gave up his Steven identity after deciding to no longer serve Khonshu and be Moon Knight. Although Steven Grant ended up returning later on in the comics, this identity effectively "died" for the purposes of Moon Knight's story. This could be what has happened to Steven in Moon Knight episode 5, as his death allowed Marc to pass through the afterlife.

Even though there is not an example of Steven Grant dying in the comics, Moon Knight's decision to kill him in this manner still works. The MCU is not beholden to copy the comics exactly and has made many changes to the source material since 2008, such as Tony Stark confirming he's Iron Man in Iron Man. Killing Steven Grant not only surprises casual viewers, but it also will leave comic readers surprised as well, making it an effective twist for all audiences. Of course, whether or not Steven Grant is really dead after Moon Knight episode 5 is worthy of debate.

More: Moon Knight: Why Khonshu Hates Steven So Much

New episodes of Moon Knight release every Wednesday on Disney+.

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