Halo (1×05) Reckoning Review

For our review of the last episode of Halo, click here.

The shortest episode of the series thus far, this episode of Halo is also a mixed bag as its cramming issue is most evident here as it simply tries to do too much in forcing all these subplots in order to create a world. That being said, it still had its moments but it still can’t quite shake off some of its more questionable aspects.

Another flashback cold open started this episode which confirmed Halsey being on Eridanus II when Master Chief/John was a child, in fact alongside Jacob for whom is easy to forget is her husband with Miranda being their daughter. That relationship got tested here but it was clear that Halsey and Jacob had an interest in him ever since he was young.

Back on the present Eridanus II, the UNSC have since erected a temporary base around the new artifact which appeared to be more powerful than the last one. Either way, they had to get it back to Reach which would be easier said than done because obviously. Meanwhile, Kai was another Spartan in the process of rediscovering herself, confirming she removed her pellet after seeing John do the same. He noticed but in hypocritical fashion, he tried to rein her in in spite of what they both did. 

Confiding in Jacob with his blossoming memories, he became more conflicted than Halsey was. She had a plan and was not going to let Parangosky get in her way. Frustrated by a lack of answers, John touched the new artifact which confirmed that he was indeed kidnapped from Eridanus II by Halsey. Always having a plan, she stopped him as he lunged towards her in anger.

Ultimately, John’s animosity would need to be set aside as the crew’s work on the artifact triggered it into sending a signal to the Blessed One and the Covenant who arrived just in time to interrupt the proceedings. A battle sequence on a higher scale than the first episode, that feeling of being in a video game came back but there was still something about it that just felt off about the series’ combination of practical effects and CGI in bringing the battle to life that made it still feel cheap. It was still exciting to watch with John taking out his frustrations on the Covenant as the Spartans attempted to load the new artifact onto a ship. With many characters in danger and others strutting their stuff on the battlefield including Halsey who may have a heart after all, choosing to save Kai led to the artifact falling into the hands of the Covenant. The Blessed One was left behind probably as a means to acquire the other artifact.

Seemingly forgotten, Kwan and Soren were still riding around on Madrigal but a breakdown forced the latter to look for another vehicle. Appearing defeated and handcuffed to a broken down motorcycle, though misguided, she was not willing to give up and got the upper hand at least for now.

Cramming two episodes worth of story into one with the shortest running time so far just didn’t quite work. There’s the John past and present drama, the battle sequence, and Kwan and Soren sprinkled in. Though perhaps the rushing is due to production issues in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic but the series should take its time to develop properly.

still courtesy of Paramount

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.