Spider-Man: No Way Home broke a trend that constantly pops up in Marvel's Spider-Man stories, and I'm grateful for it. After debuting in live-action with Tobey Maguire in 2002's Spider-Man, Marvel's comic book mascot has grown to become one of the foremost faces within superhero cinema, with Spider-Man: No Way Home being an ode to his cinematic legacy nearly two decades later. This lengthy career has helped to push the MCU's version of Spider-Man in creative directions as Marvel Studios experiments with new stories for Peter Parker and new ways of telling them - and I'm here for it.
The tactic often flies in the face of conventions established for over 60 years, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. While Spider-Man now boasts a glittering career in cinema, adaptations of the iconic web-slinger have been popping up since the 1960s, and nearly all of them feature familiar story beats. The conspicuous absence of Uncle Ben in the MCU is perhaps one of the most obvious and controversial ways in which the MCU timeline has sidestepped Spider-Man lore - but the way in which the MCU and Spider-Man: No Way Home specifically have treated Mary Jane Watson is worthy of praise.
Peter Parker & MJ's Break-Ups Are A Brutal Part Of Spider-Man History
They Are Always So Messy
Another cornerstone of Spider-Man is his relationship with Mary Jane Watson. In comic books and other media, this relationship often turns toxic, with Marvel churning out myriad excuses to have their relationship break down in the most dramatic ways possible. One of the most egregious examples of this came when MJ dumped Peter after the mind of Otto Octavius occupied his body, citing that his life was too chaotic - but only after Peter's mind returned to his body. Another was when Peter ghosted MJ in the most unusual way possible - by encasing himself in a webbing cocoon.
Spider-Man and MJ's messy break-ups have gotten to a point where it is a trope in its own right. Rarely does Marvel now tease a dramatic deterioration in their relationship without it earning an eye-roll or two, with the exceptional circumstances surrounding the break-up being par for the course. Spider-Man: No Way Home continued the break-up trend, of course, but did so in a way that was a breath of fresh air.
Spider-Man: No Way Home Gives The MCU A Way Better Breakup Story
Both Characters Come Out Looking Good
The Spider-Man: No Way Home ending saw Peter Parker making his biggest step towards adulthood and independence. After learning that Doctor Strange's spell would erase Peter from the memories of every person in his universe, Peter resolves to keep both MJ and Ned in the dark, striking out alone and essentially ending his long-term relationship. While this is yet another continuation of the Spider-Man/MJ break-up story, I can't help but give Marvel kudos for the finer details.
For one thing, the relationship ended as amicably as possible, with MJ and Peter sharing a heart-wrenching final kiss before Strange enacted the Runes of Kof-Kol. Secondly, the kind-of-break-up was born of anything but toxicity, with Parker opting to exclude MJ from his life to ensure her safety and happiness. MJ was, of course, eager for Peter to remind her of him post-spell, speaking to her courage given the circumstances. The result is a breakup that is not only heartbreaking but strengthens both characters and their overall likability.
Spider-Man: No Way Home Avoids The Biggest Issue With Peter & MJ's Breakups
They Can Still Be Soulmates
Peter and MJ's splits repeatedly flout the centrality of their relationship to Marvel lore. While not every break-up casts them in an unfavorable light - their agreement to have Mephisto retcon their marriage in "One More Day" to save May was noble, if still controversial - years of break-up stories have painted shoddy pictures of their overall characters. While Marvel Comics stories are far from linear, the narrative continues to flip-flop between them being soulmates yet toxic to one another, and it's enough to make my head spin.
Spider-Man: No Way Home has deftly sidestepped this issue. By ensuring that their relationship ends without either party looking like the villain, Marvel Studios is free to reignite Peter and MJ's relationship without leaving a sour taste in the mouth. I, for one, think that this is exactly what Marvel should do - ensuring that its rendition of the Peter and MJ relationship is solid as a rock before moving on to the next iteration of Spider-Man - and hopefully, one that is just as free from the toxicity that can crop up for his comic book counterpart.
