Summary
Haloseason 2 actor Pablo Schreiber responded to criticism about Master Chief’s helmet being removed and explained why the show chose this approach. InHaloseason 1, Schreiber’s Master Chief removed his helmet during the first episode, breaking tradition with the games.
This approach continued throughoutHaloseason 1, as Master Chief was regularly seen without his helmet. Some fans were surprised by this, seeing that Master Chief is famous for never removing his helmet during theHalogames. This criticism and others ledHaloco-creator Marcus Lehto to pan the showby stating that it’s “not theHaloI made.” Following the backlash, some fans wondered whether Paramount would adjust its strategy withHaloseason 2. However, that may not be the case, as Schreiber doubled down on Master Chief’s face being shown.
During an interview withGamesRadar’sSFX Magazine, Schreiber defended the decision to remove Master Chief’s helmet in theHaloTV series. “People who don’t feel the helmet was necessary to come off, they’re at such an early conception of what the show could be,” he said. “to examine the discrepancy between these two versions of the character [Chief and John-117], you may’t tell that story without taking the helmet off. If you don’t agree with the helmet coming off in the show, you don’t like our show. So, there’s no point discussing it.”
During a previous interview with SFX Magazine,Haloshowrunner Steven Kane claimed this can’t be done in a visual format without removing Master Chief’s helmet. He drew a parallel between the show’s helmet approach and the books' unfettered access to Master Chief’s emotions, explaining that both seek to tell the story of the man inside the helmet. However, some fans believe theHaloshow has taken this approach too far.
Fans haverequested many changes for futureHaloseasons, including reducing Master Chief being put in vulnerable emotional scenarios. TheHalogames mostly saw Master Chief as a stoic, determined super warrior rather than a conflicted individual. However, to be fair to the show, this was not always the case during the games, as seen during Master Chief’s emotional struggles with Cortana. Additionally, the books shed light on Master Chief’s traumatic upbringing and complex emotional state. Paramount’sHaloseries will seemingly continue to prefer the emotional approach, which might be difficult without regularly removing Chief’s helmet. But some fans are understandably frustrated with this decision.
OneHalo Infinitewriter supported removing Master Chief’s helmet. He detailed that in the books, Spartans taking their helmets off is seen quite regularly and is in keeping with the lore.
Schreiber’s recent comments aren’t the only timehe’s defended theHaloshow’s decisions. Previously, he claimed that some fans hated the show before they ever watched it due to its approach, but he will continue working to make theHaloshow as good as possible. Hopefully,Haloseason 2 will do a better job of satisfying fans.
Haloseason 2 premieres on February 8th, 2024, on Paramount Plus.
Halo
Halo is a science fiction first-person shooter and part of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios. The franchise development originated with Bungie but has since transferred to 343 Industries. The series centers on a conflict between humanity and various alien species over installations called Halos, superweapons created by a mysterious race known as Forerunners. Launching in 2001 with Halo: Combat Evolved, the franchise has also spun off into books, comics, animated films, live-action TV, and much more.
