How Halo Season 2 Can Pay Tribute to Halo: Combat Evolved's Iconic Element

In Halo season 2, episode 5, "Aleria," spoilers lie ahead.

As the second season of the show comes to a close, Halo season 2 is gearing up to showcase a key aspect of Halo: Combat Evolved. In the previous episode titled "Reach," the storyline of Halo's Fall of Reach was depicted on a grand scale. Master Chief, played by Pablo Schreiber, becomes wary of the Covenant's actions on Sanctuary. He tries to alert ONI officer James Ackerson, who has taken over for Dr. Halsey, about the possibility of an impending enemy attack. Despite being disregarded by his higher-ups, including Admiral Jacob Keyes portrayed by Danny Sapani, John-117 decides to take matters into his own hands.

Halo Season 2 Didn’t Feature The Pillar Of Autumn During The Fall Of Reach

While Keyes reprimands the Chief, the UNSC admiral later discovers what really happened to Cobalt Team — another Spartan unit — and that Ackerson and other ONI higher-ups were well aware of the Covenant's plan to invade Reach. Instead of fleeing with Ackerson, Keyes stays behind on Reach, joining John in the effort to evacuate the planet's surviving civilians. Although the Fall of Reach episode doesn't feature Noble Team, the Spartan unit from Halo: Reach, the episode does put crucial characters like Keyes, Dr. Halsey (Natascha McElhone), and even Cortana (Jen Taylor; Christina Bennington) in the spotlight.

Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief and Danny Sapan as Admiral Jacob Keyes in Halo - Halo Season 2 Didn’t Feature The Pillar Of Autumn During The Fall Of Reach

In Halo: Reach, the game follows Noble Team during the Fall of Reach. The main character, Noble Six, plays a crucial role in the UNSC's defense against the Covenant. However, as the battle progresses, it becomes clear that the Covenant cannot be defeated. Dr. Halsey gives Noble Six a mission to deliver an important package to Captain Jacob Keyes on the Pillar of Autumn. Despite facing challenges, Noble Six successfully delivers the package — the A.I. Cortana — to Keyes. In a brave move, Noble Six sacrifices themselves to ensure Keyes and the Autumn can escape Reach safely.

Some of the biggest moments in the Halo show's Fall of Reach storyline may remind you of the video game, but there are some significant differences. In the show, Makee and The Arbiter steal Cortana for the Covenant. Surprisingly, Keyes sacrifices himself in Halo season 2, episode 4, allowing Corporal Talia Perez to pilot the civilian evacuation ship off of Reach. Despite similarities, the iconic Pillar of Autumn, crucial in Halo: Combat Evolved, is missing from this episode.

Miranda Keyes Could Still Be The Pillar Of Autumn’s New Captain

Olive Gray as Commander Miranda Keyes in Halo season 1 - Miranda Keyes Could Still Be The Pillar Of Autumn’s New Captain

The iconic ship from the beginning of Halo: Combat Evolved, the Pillar of Autumn, may make an appearance in the Paramount+ show "Reach." Despite its absence in the game, there is a possibility that the ship could still play a role in the series. In the game, the Pillar of Autumn exits slip-space and discovers Installation-04, one of the Halo array's ring worlds. The ship's captain, Jacob Keyes, entrusts Master Chief with Cortana before crash-landing the Autumn on the ring world, setting the entire Halo saga into motion. As a result, the Pillar of Autumn has become closely associated with the franchise as a whole.

In Halo season 2, Miranda could potentially take on the role of Captain Keyes aboard the Pillar of Autumn.

Why Halo Season 2’s Finale Should Include The Pillar Of Autumn

That said, the events of Halo: Reach lead directly into Combat Evolved's opening. The Pillar of Autumn is coming out of slip-space because the ship is fleeing Reach. While the Autumn's absence from the show's Fall of Reach arc is glaring, the series could course-correct by featuring the Pillar of Autumn in a future episode. With Admiral Keyes gone, it would only make sense for Jacob and Dr. Halsey's daughter, Commander Miranda Keyes (Olive Gray), to be tied to the ship. Miranda could be the Captain Keyes on Halo season 2's Pillar of Autumn.

Pillar of Autumn escaping Reach in Halo Reach - Why Halo Season 2’s Finale Should Include The Pillar Of Autumn

Commander Miranda Keyes, a key character, has not made an appearance in season 2 yet. Jacob mentioned his daughter to Dr. Halsey before he passed away. However, the show has not provided much information about Miranda's whereabouts in the five episodes so far. It is likely that in the final episode, Makee and The Arbiter will discover a ring-world, setting up a plot similar to Combat Evolved. Therefore, it is essential for the Pillar of Autumn and a new Captain Keyes to be included in the finale of Halo season 2.

Halo season 2's finale will air on March 21, 2024.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an insightful analysis of the upcoming Halo season 2 episode "Aleria," highlighting its significance within the Halo universe. The absence of the iconic Pillar of Autumn from the Fall of Reach episode is acknowledged, along with the potential for its inclusion in the finale. The author speculates that Miranda Keyes could assume the role of Captain Keyes aboard the Pillar of Autumn, given her father's mention of her and the parallels between the game and the show's storyline.

The article effectively sets the stage for the upcoming episode and explores the possibilities within the Halo franchise. It offers a balanced perspective, acknowledging both the similarities and differences between the game and the show while speculating on the potential for future developments. Overall, the article provides an engaging read for fans of the Halo series, leaving them eager to witness the conclusion of season 2 and the potential introduction of the Pillar of Autumn and Miranda Keyes.