The poorly received first season of Paramount+'s adaptation of the beloved Halo franchise disappointed many viewers for several reasons, including mishandling the iconic character Master Chief, the inclusion of soap opera elements that felt out of place, and a convoluted plot that left more questions than answers. As a result, the series failed to engage the audience who had eagerly awaited seeing their favorite universe come to life on the big-budget television platform. A significant factor contributing to this failure was the absence of numerous beloved characters that gamers had grown to love over the years.
However, it is important to note that the Halo television series does feature some familiar faces, such as Jacob and Miranda Keyes, along with Dr. Catherine Halsey. Despite this, the exclusion of many other prominent Halo characters leaves viewers perplexed and questioning the creative decisions behind the show. Therefore, in order to regain the lost goodwill from its first season, the second season of Halo must make a deliberate effort to include more of the iconic names and faces that fans closely associate with the franchise. Here are a few characters that the second season of Halo should highlight.
Blue Team
Fans of the Halo franchise are well aware that although Master Chief has been depicted as a lone warrior in most of the games, this is not always the case in the expanded lore. In his earlier years, Master Chief fought alongside fellow Spartans Kelly, Fred, and Linda as part of Blue Team. The bond between the members of Blue Team was so strong that they were like a family to Chief.
Fans were surprised when they learned that the show would not feature Blue Team, but instead introduce a new team called Silver Team, consisting of Chief and three lesser-known Spartans. While this gave the show the opportunity to offer something different, it ended up feeling unnecessary. The ten episodes that were released did not adequately justify this replacement, as Silver Team fell short of capturing the essence of what fans loved about Blue Team. To address this issue in Season Two, it would be wise to bring back Kelly, Fred, and Linda and bid farewell to Silver Team.
Sergeant Johnson
Sergeant Avery Johnson, the charismatic character players first encountered in 2001's Halo: Combat Evolved, quickly captivated the audience with his entertaining quotes. Although Johnson's role in the initial game was not pivotal, he became more involved in the narratives of Halo 2 and Halo 3, solidifying his significance to the Halo storyline.
Removing the charm of Sergeant Johnson from Halo is akin to eliminating R. Lee Ermey's memorable portrayal of Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket—a decision that would not be wise. Johnson, much like Hartman, has rightfully earned his place in a live-action Halo series and would undoubtedly have moments to shine. Throughout the games, he often teamed up with Miranda Keyes, and witnessing this iconic duo together in live action would surely be a delight for fans. Therefore, introducing Johnson as a character in the second season of the show would undoubtedly be a wise decision.
The Arbiter
One of the most debated decisions made in Halo 2 was the introduction of The Arbiter, a high-ranking Covenant Elite who played a crucial role in opposition to Master Chief. Despite initial hesitation, fans grew to appreciate The Arbiter's captivating storyline in the second game, which added significant depth and complexity to the Halo trilogy.
In the first season of the Halo series, there was a subplot exploring the Covenant's perspective, but The Arbiter was notably absent. Although it could be argued that his absence was justified by his yet-to-be-earned rank, Thel 'Vadamee (The Arbiter's original name) was already a respected Covenant Commander, actively involved in the Human-Covenant War. Exploring 'Vadamee's early days prior to becoming the iconic Arbiter would provide an intriguing setup and fulfill fans' desire for backstory. Even without his renowned armor and title, featuring 'Vadamee in the second season of Halo would be a highly anticipated addition for fans worldwide.
Halo is streaming now on Paramount+