Reach | Thoughts and Theories | Ep.4 Review

In this episode: We take an in depth look at episode 4 of the Halo Series' second Season! So much to unpack and to look at!
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[@jayallen5599]

John breaking the elites mandibles will always give me chills

[@ThinMantheGhost]

Especially when you crank up the sound. It’s absolutely brutal! Like Brock Lesner suplexing a Costco party bag of Cheetos from the second story! VERY CRUNCHY!

[@trentroche8133]

Half jaws back story

[@ThinMantheGhost]

@@trentroche8133 Origin story. He could pull a Makee.

[@ThinMantheGhost]

I do want to see him rip an elite in half by the mandibles right down the middle while in armor. That would be an excellent way to show the increase in strength.

[@GoofysBandit]

Not gonna lie, Vannak looking up at one of his pigeons as he died kinda got to me 😞

[@m.taylor7025]

I did not make that connection...I was caught up on the fact that it looks just like the hole that Kat got sniped thru

[@larssonk22]

Didn't look like his pigeons but the native bird species that you see in the game with the long tail feathers.

[@Yumums]

It was poetic, the episode starts & ends with him

[@antonycharnock2993]

It looked like a circling eagle type bird. Often seen as an omen of the gods in ancient times probably hinting at the Spartan mythology. I thought it was a nice touch.

[@Chazebrimbor]

Wow, what sort of pigeons do you have where you live? Because they were more like golden eagles 🤣

[@anthonymarinucci325]

Combat veteran here, US Marines, Afghan. You are 100% spot on, speaking on survivor's guilt. Also, an addition to that idea that you put out, and the show put out, is a step forward, or the next logical step in what we go through with the "I'm here and they're not, it shouldn't be that way" idea. It is "i should die, i shouldn't be here, therefore, i need to die". Which, rightfully so, fucks ya up pretty good. That's a piece of where the suicide rate among us comes from, not the whole though. Also, when John is talking about his luck, and Perez says "must be nice", to which John replies "not really". I lost my shit, i know EXACTLY how that feels, too well.

[@CoolSmoovie]

I don’t think it’s that deep. It’s actually fairly easy to write scenes like this. Good for you for connecting with it tho

[@TheRealKSmith]

@@CoolSmoovie Can be if you understand the emotional delivery. That's why op resonates with it

[@sneaky5412]

if Keyes doesn't pop out of the rubble in the next ep i swear

[@justingreen8572]

We riot!!!

[@Bernoris]

Hell yeah, Keyes gonna pull a Johnson

[@animo9050]

while it'd be cliche it'd be funny af for this guy to just walk out of a gas explosion and just pick up his pipe from among the rubble and light it using one of the fires xD

[@trentroche8133]

Keys dying means no flood

[@94EyeEagle]

Consider Makee survived a headshot, some four degree burns wouldn't stop Keyes 😂

[@eloyprado5652]

My guess to why the Jacals didn't kill Keys on sight is that they were sent to capture however was in charge and kill the rest because the arbiter wants to know why the UNSC is such a pushover in this battle. Why are demons fighting out of armour? Why are they so disorganized? The arbiter wants answers because as far as he knows this is THE Human stronghold, if the humans aren't throwing everything the have, if they are fleeing somewhere else that mean that he was wrong in his assessment and the war will be prolonged.

[@KingBossBob]

it’s possible the arbiter saved keyes (as others have pointed out no body was shown) and he’ll be captured for the reasons you mentioned just like in ce

[@ThinMantheGhost]

I think this is exactly what is gonna happen. I don’t think Keys is dead at all. I think it is a misdirection and he is in the hands of the covenant. Also I like the Arbiter theory of questioning why it’s so easy. I don’t think he is aware of the human trait of fucking people over. Like Ripley said to Burke in ALIENS, “You know, Burke, I don’t know which species is worse. You don’t see them fucking each other over for a goddamn percentage.”

[@devonscroggins2480]

I hate how keys when out, but the "you got a light?", MAN DELIVERED!!!

[@davidbeer5015]

In the context of thinking about his role in CE, I’m bummed. In the context of the scene and circumstances present, what a way to go, contrasting ONI’s self preservation

[@phazix6529]

The scene where perez leaves as keys dies is so impactful because you know perez is just so lost and sure shes going to die and is completely relying on keys to save them and she watches the only leader around her die and how she suddenly has all those people relying on her and she knows she has to try, its just her. So hard to watch so sad

[@wordwanderer1]

That's what good leaders do: lead with actions, even in the face of death.

[@sparetheearthlings]

Definitely agree that Pablo felt like classic Mastercheif in this episode. Really cool to see how they've built up to this point.

[@GoofysBandit]

I loved the implication that it isn't just haphazard luck that John has, but an almost supernatural intuition instead that guides him, and something he has no real control over. The gift of subconcious presience, if you will, and the way it guides him on both a micro and macro level. The shame he feels in "knowing" there's no chance he'll die, and instead be forced to watch his comrades die. It's almost as if he wishes he could re-pay the debt and sacrifice himself, but fate seemingly will not allow it, and he knows it. His death is always blocked, something happens, something always gets in the way or falls into place, and each time it costs the life of someone else, instead of himself. That would be a curse.

[@davidbeer5015]

And then the episode caps off with a squadmate, someone as close to a friend as he might know now, dying to the Arbiter in place of him.

[@hydrosmusic]

Chief and Perez's dynamic in this episode reminded me a LOT of Chief and Echo-216/Fernando's dynamic in Halo Infinite

[@ThinMantheGhost]

MC loves them Latin X folks!

[@SobBaget602]

nah dude. MC never wanted to get into Fernandos pants 💀

[@ThinMantheGhost]

@@SobBaget602 LOL! True, but I didn’t mean sexually. More like an affinity for the culture. But who knows MC Clappin Cheeks may not discriminate.

[@carsonhunt4642]

@@ThinMantheGhost master cheeks clapping the perez is a scene we all wanna see lol. Plus would be progressive diversity for paramount who seem big on it this season. However I’ll give credit where it’s due, I like that they just “show” the progressive things on screen, and don’t force it verbally as bad as other shows do.

[@panzermensch1577]

Vannak rocking the EOD was also a reason I loved him. He was great imo

[@PeteNice29]

I have to say, Natascha's acting in the Keyes scene was impactful. She's a solid actress and I think that's forgotten in a series like this.

[@knightofarnor2552]

The idea that John's luck is actually him "just knowing" things reminds me of the old theory that him being unbelievably fortunate is actually just how he and other people perceive his ability to reset to the last checkpoint.

[@sparetheearthlings]

Freaking love this theory 😂

[@cadehoppe0117]

It's probably way too early and outside of the scope of this show but could it also possibly be the Librarians's influence/genesong? Maybe his luck was always something innate to him, but because it is bestowed upon him and not some matter of chance.

[@AsariNextDoor]

He was save scumming the coin tosses to get them all right.

[@SocksyyAU]

@@cadehoppe0117 I always had envisioned the whole coin prediction thing as extremely keen eyesight being able to track the spin and calculate which side it would be

[@danielvandusen5724]

Well no, in this universe magic and witches exist. You also have to remember that in this universe he is a chosen one and he has access to basically something similar to the force, like in Star Wars.

[@dylanv.4970]

I really like the idea that Chief isn't lucky, but incredibly perceptive and calculating. Gives him more agency as a character and less of "the powers that be smiling upon him" Also i know exactly what you mean about superimposing the suit on Chief in that scene! I was doing the same thing! Just picturing Chief in his Infinite suit standing there stoic and unmoving in that moment.

[@searz1799]

Love the video, but I am grateful your channel exists. It has helped me through hard times and your persona brings me joy in dark times

[@rileyscheller7739]

I think Keyes dying like this was better because at least he went out fast The flood was torture and a really crappy thing for him to deal with in his last minutes. At least here he knew that civilians will be escaping the covenant, not wondering if the parasite escapes or the covenant causes mass death.

[@calburn776]

Very reminiscent of a certain quote from Reach... "Jorge died thinking he just saved the planet, we should all be so lucky."

[@billfredericks8961]

The burden of his luck is easily my favorite part and is the most chief thing so far. That interaction is perfect.

[@austinguthrie5528]

It's weird. I'm now always picturing Chiefs face as Pablo's. Re-listened to Fall of Reach and just kept picturing him anytime he was out of armor. Which is quite a few times in that book.

[@EchoLeague2]

Pablo is growing on me for sure 👍

[@viziontrex]

Pablo has done a superb job portraying John, both in body language and tone. The shoes he's filling are impossibly large, but I really do think Pablo is trying his best and understands the importance of the Chief. The character is in good hands.

[@asiblingproduction]

I guess you can say its meta-thematic, that shopkeeper woman representing both the reason to continue fighting for the lost cause of Reach, and of respecting old Halo experiences.

[@archaicrome5280]

Your general positive outlook about the show got me watching it and dang am I grateful. It's a really good watch! Too much negative feedback about the show (or games, for that matter) on the internet really sours things. I wish the rest of the Halo community (especially here on KZbin) would just be happy with what we have and enjoy it! Thanks mate for doing reviews of the episodes.

[@natesaunders2105]

I know, its so tiring to hear about all the negativity towards this, yes it's not what was preferred but at the end of the day it is a 'alternate universe' so they can do whatever they want

[@KillMonger592]

So ackerson took the armor but left the ship board smart AI... yea makes perfect sense So much for the cole protocol.

[@j3susB]

Probably a decoy fake

[@KillMonger592]

@@j3susB maybe there is no Cole protocol in this time-line It's the Quan protocol

[@IHatePikeys]

In Episode 2. He told Cortana he wasn’t coming back to visit her because it wasn’t in the simulations…who cares

[@jrfirefiher]

these fools not paying attention just hating@@IHatePikeys

[@charlesedwards2348]

Probably more like he left her there to die because she was an illegal AI and having her would be problematic.

[@socialaccount0000]

"Ah shit..no..not like this...fuck" That basically sums up the entire show, lmao

[@monstrospotatoes8484]

I think Ackerson will take Keyes place on the halo. If he shares the same fate as Keyes in the Og timeline, then it will be quite poetic. His father suffered with dementia, which made him forget everything. If Ackerson is infected and ends up in the proto gravemind, his mind will undergo a similar transformation to his father.

[@GuiltyAsSin117]

I half expected the lifeboat to be shot down, despite the sacrifices. Similar to what happens at Arcadia (hw1) and Halo: Reach. Unless we're stepping away from the "There was only ONE ship" (Pillar of Autumn) making it off Reach? Hmm.

[@eloyprado5652]

Me too, but the covenant navy is still waiting for the mac platforms to be offline :C

[@ianmills6260]

Didn"t the civilian transports get out of new alexandria in Reach or am I misremembering?

[@GuiltyAsSin117]

@ianmills6260 Some did make it out, yeah. Buck, for example, did. Completely slipped my mind. I just remember how harrowing it was seeing some begin take-off, only to be hit by either banshees or the corvette above them.

[@AsariNextDoor]

I believe the Pillar of Autumn was the only ship to break out of Thel 'Vadam's blockade, which was only in place on the final day of the battle. Plenty of ships and people escaped Reach before that.

[@ryanparker4996]

When he said "there was only one ship" he was talking about events of Halo CE. Asin, only one ship arrived to Halo. Everyone else followed Cole Protocol (random slipspace jumps to lose any followers) and then returned to Earth, PoA followed Forerunner co-ordinates instead and it arrived alone. "There was only one"

[@Wagstafff]

I'm not totally convinced Keyes or Vannek are dead for good. Keyes because of no body, and Vannek may very well get the Linda treatment. But the writing this season at least has me willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and see where they're going even if they'll stay dead.

[@Mrdeathbeat1]

i agree with you the writing this season is a marked step up from that of the previous season

[@phazix6529]

Keys's speech was also a very sad but cool scene, they did a good job portaying the more human side of marines and they showed it completely wash away after keys told them they wont survive but they will fight

[@SirOctaviusII]

Well it is an alternative timeline so they can take liberties but it was still a wild choice. Ngl kinda like the balls they have

[@ashtunnorman4208]

I agree but there's definitely going to be some hate towards this episode mostly just a nostalgia which in my opinion is is what blind is a lot of people the fact that this is an alternate timeline but overall this was a good episode now I'm wondering if we do get more seasons what will his CE armor look like the most importantly what will his infinite armor look like

[@spartan6261]

I have a strong feeling that Soren will take Keyes' place for the events of CE.

[@ChaseSlater-de8yv]

Better guess is that with Vannick being gone, Soren will take the 4th spot in silver team.

[@deddy2339]

Halsey might have a spare somewhere. Keyes out of a tube. I miss Noble Team. I like Perez. And I loved how this episode basically portrayed the moving combat reminiscent of the game.

[@Biosynthnut]

The Cortana thing irked me, or that Makee is still alive. Keyes thing... That's kinda ehh, they did Vannek dirty though..

[@Tyler-fp9il]

“Admiral Keyes” dies. But he was “captain keyes” in the game and he was at the first halo. I wonder if his daughter is going to be “captain Keyes” instead in this show.

[@ryanparker4996]

Or maybe he's still alive and is going to be demoted by FleetCom through some Ackerson related fuckery

[@soumyajyotimukherjee4752]

I actually liked this episode. Given that its a different timeline, the show need not closely follow the mainline canon. And Keyes death was just as heroic as in the games. There isn't any question about that. This episode has really brought me around to the season.

[@prateeksingh5728]

Exactly, everyone want to see what has already happened in the games. Which on it's own is very pathetic

[@Installation00]

So did I. I loved it. Just question the motivations behind offing Keyes now.

[@Chon-c]

@@Installation00. Dig the Sweater …so what’s on the tag ? I’m gonna find it ! 👍. lol

[@jordanclark4635]

@@Installation00 I think the mistake is seeing Keyes as Keyes in Canon, he’s an admiral, and seemingly been linked to the Spartans since augmentation if not earlier, and while Stanforth wasn’t linked to the Spartan program closely I think he’s a closer allegory for the Keyes in the show; defending Reach and making a heroic sacrifice to save lives. But really, he’s very much his own character.

[@ivoetzelt]

I don’t think it was as heroic and that’s my problem with it. He died to save like 20 people and took out a handful of jackals with him. It was just not a big sacrifice and kinda happened randomly in my opinion. In the games he made the hero call a few times. He stayed behind on the ship and drew a whole covenant fleet away from everyone fleeing the pillar of autumn. Just as an example. What heroic thing did he do in the show besides giving a nice speech? It’s just watered down so much, nothing feels epic in the show, all the events feel so small to me.

[@jessmith7324]

Perez is going to be a spartan 3

[@darthrevan704]

Hope so

[@MrJamesey92]

@@darthrevan704 definitely will be

[@samikoivisto7705]

Spartan 4 not Spartan 3. Spartan 3's are still basically kids. Spartan 4's are adults with augments

[@natesaunders2105]

​@@samikoivisto7705they might be combining the 2 programs since they are wearing the SPI armour, in general the war also seems to be shorter.

[@eschatollog9968]

S4 if she survives the rest of the war

[@benreed9952]

I’m very suspicious that Keyes mayyyy not actually be dead? Badly injured, yes. But the other deaths like Vannak showed the body, but we don’t see him. Doors close, boom. We don’t see a body, so there’s a chance!

[@ThinMantheGhost]

I thought the same thing. Why did the Jackals stop? In one of the books, he is so important the Covenant kidnapped him on Halo. Was it a “It’s him!” And the beam him up?

[@benreed9952]

@@ThinMantheGhost could be! My other thought was that they could smell the fuel in the air and were trying to figure out what he was doing. It could be that Keyes is a reclaimer in this timeline and they took him

[@ModBay]

Your reaction to vannak was exactly how i reacted and im sure for a lot of other people. Defo a lot of wtf moments this episode. Appreciate you taking to time to break down these episodes in a thoughtful way.

[@mattcarper9853]

So much wasted potential shown with this episode. It was clearly the best of the show, but some of the choices.... I assume no Pillar of Autumn now. Also....get the Spartans back in their damn armor!

[@fieldadmiralspartanryseb-8293]

343 seriously needs to hire you to be the narrative director of all things halo

[@ThinMantheGhost]

Vannak’s body being whole after a needler shard exploding in his chest shows how tough Spartans connective tissues really are!

[@Meravokas]

A single needler shard wasn't ever enough to rip someone apart, though a single one to the chest going off... Well... Yeah. Also I think the wound is far worse than it appears for two reasons. 1: Can only go so far and keep the rating consistent. 2: A single needler shard doesn't quite just "Pop!" like a grenade, and in this visual case throws Vanik several feet before impacting the wall and coming to rest on the ground. That's a directed "Charge" not just "HE". As it were.

[@huntcw]

I think Halsey was saying that Soren was allowed to leave because he would hold John back, because even John looked to Soren as a natural leader. Could be wrong, but that would be more in keeping with the lore. Thanks for still doing these breakdown, it’s a flawed show but I’m still enjoying it, even if it feels more like a backstory of how John became the Master Chief we know in CE

[@sluggerbutter]

spartans without armor is cringe

[@PrideofErin__]

I've actually got a feeling that we're never gonna see the flood in the halo series. I feel like it's gonna go a different way and the halos are gonna end up being a way to stop the covenant, not the flood. I really want to like this series and I know it's an alternate timeline but it just doesn't feel halo to me right now.

[@m777howitzer4]

Because it isn’t. Alternate timeline? B.S. It’s a common trope of telling the audience we are gonna use a whole new story while they slowly sew in elements of the Original content over time.

[@PrideofErin__]

@@m777howitzer4 I get what you're saying however an alternative timeline is the only way to describe this. None of the actions of the show happened in the canon lore of the series, therefore there's no choice but to say it's an alternate timeline. If it goes tits up, which it probably will, at least it's not attached to the source material we've all played and read.

[@thebagel_lord]

​@Zane2698 the showrunners are quite open in how dismissive they were of the canon lore and how they don't care about the fans of the games, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't include the flood and dismiss any concerns the same way they dismissed concerns about the armor situation

[@thebagel_lord]

@Zane2698 with how they're handling ONI, I doubt that the Flood are going to be pulled off well. I can get them knowing the Covenant are on Reach before anyone else knows, that's pretty in-line with canon ONI, but Ackerson taking the Mjolnir armor off-world and ONI basically giving up on Reach? The second most important world after Earth? Doubtful. In lore they tried their hardest to save Reach until it was too late, even only just to buy time for the Autumn to escape. The Covenant haven't even started glassing Reach yet in the show

[@m777howitzer4]

@@PrideofErin__ I want to agree with you, but can’t because i know THEY know they are criminals and thieves, similar to many other aspects of our lives. They know exactly what they are doing and it will eventually be our demise.

[@Jon0387]

Overall I liked the episode, but I didn’t like the two characters were killed off too early. I wanted to see Keyes go to Halo with the Master Chief. Vannak’s book counterpart Fred plays a big role in future events that I would have liked to have seen. Still I was thinking they might do a Linda style death fake out this season on a member of Silver Team so that might still happen.

[@edinnuir7518]

With Vannak's personable scene i loved the 'snap to' of how he went from the joy of his hobby to 'the task' as i really believe a spartan would engage with it as a binary change of persona. . . . .The holographic room, i wonder if they took the 'rules' of a star trek holodeck where the generated room manuevers the visuals etc to the perception of the occupant (its such a silly overpowered way of making it work but hey ho) . . . Loved the original Xbox in the antique shop, made me smile in a somber scene. . . I loved Keyes visably being so pissed off when he's at the muster point and John walks over due to the situation he's been left in because of ONI but Keyes is Keyes, he commands everything. Shame we wont see the 'Keyes Manuever' on screen. . . I think the grenade Sorin throws is a bit 'big' unless the room had some explosive element im not seeing, he threw it in one room they ran through the 'lobby'? of the AI holding room and closed the door and the 1 frag grenade obliterated it all . .. . writing this as im watching you vid btw.. bare with me.. Keyes was a Flash Clone? . . reallly thin theory there but maybe? for emotional payoff in a later episode / season? like a clone was left there to lead/galvanizie the remaining defenders? we already know about ackerman being a fan of using the photocopier (flash clones) . . Was a very cool episode i think though imma miss Vannak and his birbs :(

[@asomewhatdecentperson9190]

If im guessing, Halo S3 is gonna be a mix of CE and Infinite. CE in terms of adapting the games, but bringing that isolated feel Infinite has where it was you against the Banished, but this time its going to be Chief/Cortana against the Covenant.

[@dat8835]

I enjoyed the episode for the most part, but I am deeply concerned about the Keyes death. Will they completely remove the Pillar of Autumn, and Keyes sacrifice on Halo? Will someone else take that role, or did the writers just say F the whole story? Also the promo for ep 5 looks like more BS mystic stuff with Kwan, why can't they let that crap die!!!

[@Unoraptormon]

I feel like the only reason behind some of these decisions is just to piss off Halo fans. Want Chief to put his helmet on? How about WE REMOVE ALL HIS ARMOR!

[@TearfulFriend18]

I’m honestly glad that Keyes got to go out as a hero, on his own terms instead of the gruesome horror that ended his life in core canon. My immediate gut reaction is telling me that everything hinges on how Miranda is portrayed when we next see her. If she’s been switched over to military and is now the rank of Captain, then my mind says she’s the Keyes that gets to go to Alpha Halo… if Alpha Halo is even the ring that we’re going to. But I saw a comment on Twitter that got me thinking, and that’s whether or not Ackerson will accompany Chief to the ring. And if so, what if Ackerson is the one who gets captured by The Flood? I’d certainly like that over Miranda getting her father’s fate… if we’re even going to that? I both hate and love that everything is fair game now. This episode reminded us point blank that this is the SILVER timeline. Things are different, Blessed Ones, Keyes’ death, everything is fair game, even Cortana’s rescue. Does the Cole Protocol exist in the Silver timeline as it does it Core canon? Will we have a Chief without Cortana when we get to Halo? So many questions and I love that we get to ask them. It’s comparing apples to… pomegranates, but this is the strange dichotomy I get when comparing Halo - The Series when compared to The Last of Us on HBO. Like yes, the story in TLOU is phenomenal, one of the very best in the gaming medium, and something as cinematic as that game translates extremely well to prestige television. But as someone who’s played the game… you’ve already played something that looks and feels cinematic, and now you just get to experience practically the exact same thing… just with actors. Compare that to Halo which has gone out of its way to take risks, to deviate from its own core canon to give more creative freedom. General audiences don’t know what’s going to happen, fans don’t know what’s going to happen, idk, I enjoy both but to me it’s a key reason why I’ll take Halo - The Series over The Last of Us any day of the week despite me loving both shows very much. I didn’t expect this comment to turn into that tangent but here we are. Great video for a phenomenal episode, Season 2 is incredible so far.

[@charlesedwards2348]

Not against them... more like I question the motivations lol

[@Installation00]

Yeah, that's more akin to what I was trying to get at.

[@dt7197]

Wtf? Chief’s characterization in this was shit and miles off. He didn’t protect Perez. He literally said she doesnt have to come and ditched her, she chose to follow. It was the literal opposite of what he’d do or say in the books/games. I don’t get why your so in love with this episode. The action was solid, i’ll give it that. But man the characters were stupid and unrelatable, except keys. Who finally started to sound like the Keys from the games. Brutally honest. Then they just kill him off before the ring. Even though he’s literally the guy who finds the damned thing.

[@SPlRlT1]

Well it's been proven that this series isn't cannon at all to the games.

[@dt7197]

@@SPlRlT1 it’s not about being cannon, it’s not even close. It’s an entirely different character doing entirely different things with entirely different people. What the fuck is the point in even calling it Halo.

[@gornallbell5459]

Was a bit shocked that Keyes was killed, or was he? We don't see him die so there is a chance that he didn't.

[@whalehands]

That ending was damn gut-wrenching

[@3l_Raro]

My theory is that they will mesh halo ce and 2 into one season. Miranda will play the part of her father, Thel will maybe make an appearance or maybe this arbiter will be redeemed. The Gravemind will serve as a main antagonist or a face for the flood, Kwan might take the role of Keyes in 343 guilty spark (the level). They might combine the levels of the library and quarantine zone and instead of using Tartaturus, they'll put Atriox instead.

[@ekp3025]

Fully agree with how Pablo’s acting closely resembles Chief’s manner as we know it in the games… though season 1 wasn’t without faults I thought it was good, but season 2 is lining up to be great imo The loss of both Keyes and Vannak is criminal though. 134 was an ideal spartan. Though the sacrifices are necessary from a storytelling point of view, I wish it wasn’t these two. Great review of the show Installation00! It’s good to see a KZbinr who’s weighing up the show for what it is, as opposed to jumping on the hate-wagon. Please keep up the good work 😁

[@Mrdeathbeat1]

i have a thought on how things may go down if they decide to loosely follow the timeline of the games. I do think miranda will be a big part of it now the admiral keyes is dead. I can see them merging and using plot beats from both halo 1 and 2 in way that still plays homage to both games. like if they end up going to alpha halo in possibly season 3 or 4 then maybe its not humanity that unleashs the flood but the covenant that do it like they do in halo 2 by breaking through a quarantine in their search for a forerunner relic. The mission to retrieve cortanna could play out similar to how the rescue of halsey did in the legends segment the package did. overall i feel like many aspects of the first two games could be woven into a single narative for the purpose of the TV show replacing certain individuals here and there.

[@jointjunkieslangards]

Appreciate hearing a fan's review/analysis of the show from a writing or character perspective rather than the show's fidelity to game lore.

[@gordo1701e]

People keep expecting the game when they watch this show and always seem surprised when it isn't. I don't understand why cause they said from the outset, this is NOT the Halo from the games. Scenes like the shop and John's luck prove that. You wouldn't have ever seen that in the games, you couldn't as that wouldn't have fit in that story line. Same with Keyes dying, this IS NOT THE GAME!! STOP EXPECTING IT TO BE. They just proved that in spades.

[@cvzanikos1]

I believe Chief is the only Spartan who can face the Sangheeli without his armor and survive. He did fight Vannik and Riz fully armored for a while without his. Any other Spartan would be in a big disadvantage and that’s what happened. His battle instincts are godly. Also This quote “that’s the thing about war. It never stays in one place” they finally got it. This is a war story. One of loss and sacrifice.

[@rosedarling7526]

I did not grow up with Halo or video games but I have been drawn completely into the Halo series. What I like about it - I realise - is that I am watching adults making decisions - evil or otherwise - as opposed to kids making hasty/naive decisions based on emotion, selfishness and lack of intelligence and experience. It is a breath of fresh air watching Master Chief. I respect tacticians and intelligence. Perez did not impress me at all. To me she was the definition of an unprofessional soldier. Her tantrum in episode four hurt my ears. Was she only fighting for her family/community? Not humanity as a whole?

[@Z0ttMonte]

This show is so bad. The armor is gone really? Keyes is gone before halo? CORTANA is stolen by the covenant? What is this?! And all the weapon sounds.. wtf.

[@patinate]

Glad you are enjoying it, but no, the TV show is not good. Changing the story for the TV show is actually a particularly poor and huberistic choice on the part of the creative team. Anyone coming to a TV show that is using the Halo name either already knows the story of Halo, in which case they have come to see the story of Halo in live action, or they don't know the story of Halo, in which case they won't know what to expect anyways. Changing the story only serves to "correct" the "flawed" previous version, and prop the creative team's new version up as definitive, tying their name to the property as defacto creator. 343 did the same for Halo 4, then Halo 5, and it went badly then as well. This isn't the worst version of a TV show wearing the skin of Halo's IP, because season 1 still exists and is sadly still canon, but season 2 still fails to live up to the title of Halo.

[@RWC-be8ej]

I’m glad you brought up one of the overlooked aspects on season 2, which is the evolution of Halsey’s character arc. I absolutely hated how S1 depicted her as a generic evil mad scientist. It was lazy and did her true character no justice. The fact that we see the evolution of her depiction in S2 into many more shades of gray and her emotions toward Keyes and the other Spartans is a massive improvement and not talked about enough.

[@conflictfree88]

Two black men and two gay men killed in one episode, among so many other deaths... Ooof. This episode really didn't pull any punches, and I'm here for it.

[@thelegendarybigfoot6760]

They Really mess up this Episode... I really hope Keys ain't dead. And Spartans without their armor come on man 😅

[@hazajacko]

My only explanation on why Makee is still around i can think of, Engineer healed her because the Cov or Prophets still want someone who can interact with the artefacts.

[@Ken211]

How the hell could Corporal Perez fly that transport?

[@Installation00]

Pass.

[@jordanclark4635]

Ship flying skills would probably not be exclusive to rated pilots; civilian life also has ships, and by the 2500s a ship that size would probably be the equivalent of driving a car, or possibly a big truck, so not out of the realm of possibility for people to just have as a skill.

[@djw6001]

I think if she survives this season she's going to be forehammer on halo

[@Ken211]

@@jordanclark4635 Thanks for this. I thought that military pilots officers and not from the enlisted ranks.

[@jordanclark4635]

@@Ken211 they are, generally, but as I say in the 2500s it would just be another skill most likely, due to the ubiquity of space and atmospheric travel. She wasn’t a “pilot” as her job, but it was a skill that she had because it’s widespread.

[@brycevo]

I really dislike them completely removing MJOLNIR from the Spartans. And what will the death of Keyes bring for their Combat Devolved

[@Starcat5]

I am kicking this up a notch. The entire *Halo fanbase* is in an abusive relationship with this show. It hurts us, and yet we keep coming back.

[@Lauritah]

Ok, biggest hear me out over here, BUT: What it Keyes is replaced by Ackerson? He might come back to Reach with the S-IIIs to fight the covenant. They ultimately lose. He gets to the Pillar of Autumn and takes control. Then they hit Installation 04 and he can get captured by the Flood as he too posses a lot of vital information about humanity and earth

[@Tank50us]

That could work well as a redemption arc. Though him being a captain of a ship wouldn't fit, it would be best if he were standing next to a captain, maybe another familiar name (maybe the one gal that survived alongside Laskey? I think that actress is the right age by now), but when they hear of what Ackerson did, they have him tossed in the PoAs brig. His redemption comes when the Flood get a hold of him, and try to mindrape him (that is what the flood does after all)

[@hoos3014]

This is my bet.

[@Big_homielander]

They fell from three stories, she's a Marine been your knees on landing. Basic stuff

[@phazix6529]

I also thought pablos depiction of chief reacting to people being emotional was spot on and it feels good to see the chief from the games and books shine through in the series.

[@alexmatthews6121]

I’ve been going through a huge fight with my girlfriend, and not sure if things are going to work out. I used this to get my mind off of it, and boy was I a wreck. Seeing that speech from our Captain gave me such a feeling of inspiration and pride that I haven’t seen from any show or movie in quite sometime. It was a heavy and dim episode, but it showed the reality and bravery that us as a people embrace when we are at our lowest points. Absolutely adored it.

[@rebd00mer93]

Meh, girlfriends are overrated. You'll realize that when you hit your 30s

[@stormbreaker7373]

Hope for the best with your girlfriend man I’ve been there shits not easy

[@Yumums]

So far this season is night and day compared to the first! I'm glad Pablo is putting in such good work! I've always thought Chief without a helmet or armor was ridiculous, but I knew Pablo was going to do well regardless.

[@jakedel1711]

do you really think Keyes is dead? from the reaction of the Jackals like you said, instead of charging him like everyone else, they surrounded him. Maybe he was taken up into a covenant ship the same way the elites were in the first episode where you thought they died and said they were expendable. this is what im hoping for but ive already accepted his death.

[@hinezy3724]

Keys asked if they had a light, jackals said yeah follow us to the corvett 😅

[@tianfromthebrickworld8487]

People saying this is "good" are the same people who say "rings of power is a master piece" WTF this is season is better than 1 but that does not make it good is pretry bad, not boring but a bad adaptation of Halo in general

[@Aijia_Vance]

paramount has screwed the story and the writers have no f*cking clue what they are doing.

[@jingle9691]

I really liked this episode, I was shocked they killed of Keys, I wouldnt have. I suppose its in his character to make the ultimate sacrifice, albeit sooner than we're used to. Its a different timeline though so ill accept it. Lets see who takes them to the ring.

[@sparetheearthlings]

Love the text at 43:10 about why you dont do reaction content. That is the same way i watch stuff 😂

[@TeaganL1701]

Thinking back to the previous episode ( aka the kwan episode ) makes me REALLY want to see Kwan as a Spartan 3 / 4

[@plixypl0x]

This show whiplashes between DUMB and quite good.

[@mandoaddict7154]

I am loving this show!! Thank you so much for your brilliant & insightful commentary. It enriches my viewing of each episode. After listening to you, I go back to re-watch it, & appreciate it more. I only look to your channel for discussion of the Halo series. Keep up the superb work. (I wish Halo Canon was here)

[@KillMonger592]

Only way for halo fans to enjoy this show... is to try to look at it as tho your not a halo fan... U gotta look at it as a separate thing with a whole different plot

[@YodaOnABender]

Having Lewis use a weapon felt so dumb. It’d be bad enough giving him a pistol but a grenade launcher is ridiculous. At least a pistol might miss if he accidentally shot it near a friendly but a grenade launcher would kill everyone if he accidentally shot a wall or something

[@devo1977s]

Only good part was when Thel 'Vadam cut the Elite set off for shooting chief, other then that wtf did I watch. maybe if I've never played the game, read the book, read the comic books, played with the toys I might be okay with this dumpster fire, also they did Vanek like Tech from Bad Batch but even dirtier

[@motionadapt1589]

Bro tech death hit me harder

[@Installation00]

Oh the Arbiter in this isn't Thel. It's an earlier Arbiter.

[@drazam6608]

Bro you literally just hate it for the sake of it. Stop being a negativity farmer

[@devo1977s]

@@Installation00 dang it, oh well lol

[@devo1977s]

@@drazam6608 actually no, when I step back and pretend I've never read any of the books or know anything about Halo it's actually decent. example my parents who are now in their late 60s love the show because they know nothing about it before this, and I do not say anything because I don't want to ruin it for them

[@RAKKAR7]

Thank you for speaking on the suicide rate of my brothers and the horror we experienced in war.

[@ultimatez1]

While I do believe Keyes is truly dead, I had a wild thought that Kai might swoop in and save him. But I tend to agree that by this point she is already off world.

[@Jedi_Spartan]

When I heard about the Keyes scene and the absolutely dumb line about the Mjolnir from Hiddenxperia's video, I basically thought: "Why... what for?"

[@iggi3985]

This show is a parody fanfic joke 😂

[@Toto_Meister_01]

also, you need to bring each episode of Fireteam Ares more frequently, cause I don't want to have to go back to episode 1 every time and catch up on the story again, and its why I have the latest episode on an open tab but haven't watched it yet

[@mateus00759]

I'm hoping that Chief will save Reach

[@TheSharkKing45]

1) i really like Keyes in this series 2) perhaps someone on the staff watches your fireteam Aries series

[@roastpork5437]

John 117 aka Master Chief is not just a man in a suit. He is a warrior and a demon (to his enemies). Ep4 in its all entirety is about telling the new viewers who are unfamiliar with Halo characters and lore that fact.

[@adventwolfbane]

If they keep Keyes dead, I could see them using Miranda to do the Alpha Halo plot.

[@StancePunk]

Blind guy with a grenade launcher was corny

[@SPlRlT1]

Yeah I agree. Not as corny as Makee's whole character is cringey/corny to me too

[@aaronjohnson8992]

Calling it now, Ackerson is the one that finds the first halo ring instead of keyes, which I think would be kind of an interesting take in my opinion

[@ZAGON117]

mate, Id be interested to hear you break stuff down in helldivers 2. the suits and everything. might be a great thing for your channel too.

[@davidbeer5015]

I’m catching up on these having finished the season a week or two ago.. Man, I loved the breakdown of this episode, and it was quite the episode. Fully agree on Keyes’s speech, and I didn’t even think about the survivor’s guilt aspect of Chief’s talk with Perez but I loved what you had to say on it. I admittedly liked the way Keyes went out, even if it does affect the CE story, but I’m hoping (if Season 3 it gets picked up elsewhere) they can build off and give us a new Captain to connect to enough if they need to fill that role. But in terms of this show, I just love Keyes’s constant contrast to ONI, and his death was the final statement. Honestly, my thoughts on the Jackals was a bit of seeing as like “what are you doing? What do you think you can do now, last human?”

[@ISAFMobius18]

My Predictions: 1. Chief, Rizz and Sorren (now taking Vannick's place) will find old stored Mk V Armor, giving Chief his iconic CE appearance. 2. Makee will turn out to be a clone, not revived 3. Chief, Sorren, Rizz and Halsey will kill the arbiter and retrieve Cortana. Subsequently find a ship in a breaking yard that the UNSC has fixed up for an emergency takeoff called The Pillar of Autumn

[@buddyspecialops]

SPOILERS ALERT: THIS COMMENT INVOLVES THE TRAILER FOR EPISODE 5 Its revealed that Kai is being used by Ackerson to create Spartan 3s. Im personally excited to see where this goes, but this leaves lots of question marks about what Silver team are going to do. How will they be treated when they reunite with the UNSC Fleet? Will they be sent on a suicide mission to rescue Cortana, or will Ackerson cast then aside all together in an attempt to gain complete control over the new spartans?

[@davidlatimore600]

I'm not one to concern myself with race but I DO see a typical Hollywood bit played out here. They killed off not one but TWO major characters. Both black characters. That usually happens in horror films and, in those, I find that hilarious. 😂😂😂 Killing Vanek irritated me because he has been a BADASS since day one. He was taken out in a weak fashion. Keyes though... A guy who, white OR black, plays a major role in the progression of "Halo." His removal seemed ridiculous to me. Keep hoping this show will get better but...well 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@dr.nottanownudder]

Chief and Riz are getting new upgraded suits b4 s2 ends. GUARANTEED!!! Think back to Halseys lab in S1, she had 2 suits on display. 1 male Mjolnir and 1 female. The season will end with them infiltrating a covenant ship to recover Cortana, Chief will be injured but they get to a UNSC ship and escape. It'll end with chief in cryo, cortana controlling the ship and jumping blind into space only to end up at a halo with the covenant right behind them. S3 is halo ce