Thinking about how trauma and reconciliation presents itself in The Magnus Archives and Moon Knight. Thinking about how both Jon and Marc were traumatized at young ages by watching someone they knew die in front of them, among other things. Thinking about how they ended up in positions where people are hurt or worse because of them in direct cause of that formative experience. Thinking about how they’re not given any forgiveness for that pain by those they hurt… however…
Thinking about how Marc is told his trauma wasn’t his fault and despite still not being forgiven for his actions because of it, in the end he’s able to choose a different way and will eventually be able reconcile with those he hurt and forgive himself.
Thinking about how Jon was told his trauma was the reason everyone around him was being hurt and that it wouldn’t matter if he tried to fix anything, it would still be his fault simply for existing, and he would never deserve forgiveness.
Thinking about how a key component to this is how both of them are unable to be open about that trauma. Thinking about how both pushed away any support system they had out of a misguided need to protect them. Thinking about how Marc had people begging him to be open about it and his feelings in order to understand and help him. Thinking about how Jon was consistently ignored or silenced when he eventually tried to make his emotions and actions known. Thinking about how both of their support systems were also dealing with trauma. Thinking about how Marc’s support system never once thought of his trauma as lesser than theirs. Thinking about how Jon’s support system only ever saw his trauma as an excuse that belittled theirs. Thinking about how Marc’s worked with him while Jon’s worked against him.
Thinking about how it wasn’t love that saved Marc, at least not the kind of love that’s valued, but the simple recognition that he wasn’t alone in his pain and how that meant placing his heart in their hand for protection. Thinking about how love saved Jon’s world, if not him, but the kind of love that meant giving someone the ability to kill you and knowing they would because of it rather than in spite of it as that’s all he knew love was.
Thinking about how trauma and reconciliation presents itself in The Magnus Archives and Moon Knight and how cynicism will always be weaker than hope.