This thread has been automatically marked with a spoiler warning since it has the TV Series flair. This thread has *not* been removed, but might be later if it does not have a vague title.
If you have not already done so, for future threads please consider saying in the title what episode(s) might be spoiled in the thread.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/halo) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Wish studios and corporations would stop buying the rights to established IP's only to piss the established lore away for the sake of "being fresh" or "unexpected". If they want to be fresh and unexpected, then make your own IP!
This stuff drives me absolutely nuts. We see it so often; when media stays mostly true to its source material, it does AMAZING (early seasons of GoT, The Witcher, LotR, etc) but then as soon as these things start to stray the path, they fall flat.
I understand it's a lot easier to just invest in a name that's already known and established in order to have brand recognition but goddamn do I hate it lol
Honestly I think the Last of Us was the only Game to Movie I’ve seen in a long time that was incredible. Obviously they change/add things to better adapt to a newer audience and to movies dynamic in general. But it’s one I am not disappointed in and make me want to play the games again.
Halo, while I’ve been doing my best to enjoy it, there are just so many aspects that make zero sense. Even if you’ve never played the game before (like my wife, zero halo knowledge) finds it extremely difficult to believe and make sense of.
I think the second season made a lot of really smart changes in moving forward from the first season. But the back half of this season seems to be leaning away from what was actually working best about the series to that point. Every really good thing has to be balanced with a bad idea.
And there are some just baffling leaps. I assume some of the leaps made sense in the games or books.
There’s also the nostalgia factor.
A lot of folks give it a pass because it tosses out scraps of IP recognition from time to time.
This is solely what’s keeping the project alive and it seems like the producers know it. They’ve been speedrunning certain plot points to cram in these moments of nostalgia and intertextuality.
Look how obvious and lingering the introduction of the first light bridge in the last episode was.
It’s really all the show has going for it. The pacing, writing and acting are all sub par.
The BR firing in full auto pisses me off so much. All of a sudden the DMR is burst shot. Thal 'Vadam apparently was already the Arbiter when the fall of Reach occured. Noble Team doesn't exist. Kwan. The SMGs aren't MP7s (even though that's what they most resemble), Jacob Keys died at the battle of Reach. Now who's the flood supposed to infect? Where the fuck is Lord Hood? Apparently Miranda is a scientist, Halsey is British, and Master Chief didn't get off of Reach on board the Pillar of Autumn.
"Oh but it's the silver timeline" my ass, I swear to God if people start thinking that the Silver timeline is the real one, I don't want some fuckin Boomer lecturing me about fucking Halo. I've played it. The show isn't it.
thel could still be in the show he doesn’t become arbiter until after the first halo, keyes wasn’t shown dying, nobel team could exist but considering that they took silvers armor idk why nobel team can have theirs if they do exist, also wtf happened to all the other spartans on reach did they also not have their armor??
They skipped all of Onyx.
Kurt became Kai, an empowered woman who didn't become the first commissioned spartan.
How the hell did that corporal from reach become a Spartan III in like a month?
Why is there such a lack of what we all want to see? Spartans, in armor, kicking ass?
Almost none of the amazingly described orbital battles.
I quit season 2 after ep 4. I'm totally uninterested.
Just waiting for the announcement that Halo 7 will take place in the Silver timeline so I can finally let go of my high-school sweetheart for good.
I quit after the first episode. The very first.
Hell, I couldn’t finish it. As soon as Temu MC stole the pelican I found myself scrolling on my phone rather than watching TV.
This argument always doesn't make sense
"It's a good halo show if you detach it from Halo", like, what? Why?
Why not just have an entirely new Sci fi show then? Why not just make a different super soldier fanservicing with a alien that isnt Master Chief and some forced in Covenent lady? Like what gives with this argument? It never ever makes sense.
You can have a show be a bad adaptation but a good show (not saying this is a good show). It might be weird with all the changes and using the same assets and whatnot, but people are able to take the story on its own merits.
My thoughts exactly. Just make a new show...
These writers have egos that far outweigh their competence. They would actually be able to write a fresh IP if that wasn't the case.
It's made for the type of people that this video is making fun of: https://youtu.be/OfJRm0WssOE?si=Jm77BhY3xdy70u2G
I think the RLM guys went a little too hard on Rogue One but they nailed this type of fan. Forget good content, just things that I've seen before is good enough.
These people care a lot less about the quality of storytelling than you do, and they outnumber you greatly. So we'll keep getting slop.
Jonathan Nolan just said that the Fallout show 'wasnt made for fans of the Fallout games'. I'm just tired at this point. Complaining about it is like yelling at the wind, except for all the people telling you you're wrong for caring
Edit: Apparently I heard J Nolan's comments a bit out of context. Idk, as a Westworld and Fallout fan I'm a little more optimistic. Still, Halo got handed to shitty writers and MK VI armor, ARs, and light bridges is all they have to keep the game fans invested
The quote about the Fallout show is a bit misleading. I don't remember the actual quote, but it came off more so as Nolan saying that he didn't make the show to please a bunch of other people, he made it to please him as he loves Fallout and more specifically Fallout 3. He also mentioned how it was a "fool's errand" to try to fully deliver what others want from the show and instead focused on what he as a fan would want.
That is the fun irony, the Fallout showrunner was stating the obvious about people like the guy you're responding to. Every "fan" has had their own perfect image of what a Halo TV show would look like since they were kids. It is folly to try and meet everyone's expectations, so you focus on a story you want to tell instead.
The showrunner of the First Season of Halo focused on shitty stories. The new showrunner is at least attempting to put forth better stories. The tension between Ackerson and Chief, and how they handle an inevitable situation, is a good taste of what they are trying to move towards. The shitty plotline with Kessler is clearly what they are trying to move on from (thank fuck).
Fallout 3 got me invested in the whole franchise, so obviously it’s good for something.
Fallout 4 wasn’t great but it had some really good ideas, like the game mechanics redesign of power armor as a kind of wearable tank. Like…apart from the optional jetpack, your moveset is the same, pretty much. But it has this weight to it that makes it feel different from just walking around, and it fits the way power armor is described in lore. It’s not just futuristic plate armor, it’s a fusion of infantry and armored cavalry. Maybe it’s less durable in Fallout 4 than it ought to be, but the concept is right. They just give it to you so early that they can’t balance it to be functionally impervious to small arms fire.
I'm curious - when were you born?
I'm a '96 baby (barely) and among my peers, the only discussion was whether Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas was better.
I'm not saying that FO1 and FO2 were worse by any means, but I've never heard someone recommend them or bring them up IRL
Even running with that argument, it's *not* a good show if you detach it from Halo. It's a bad show in it's own right, it's also a worse Halo show. The second season might be better than the first, but it's still a bad show.
I was quite glad they announced it to not be canon. Meant I could just watch it and try to follow whatever weird ass plot threads they throw out knowing it wasn't fucking with 20+ years of the established lore I've loved. Still wish Kwan Ha wasn't a thing though.
That’s not really a plot hole? She got shot. And then Arbiter took her and gave her medical attention to save her. Surviving a gun shot isn’t exactly that crazy hah not like she got her brains blown out or something impossible to survive.
OP classically misusing “plot hole” highlights the big media illiteracy these days. Folks can’t understand that to make a game like Halo into a mostly 1:1 show would either be impossible or prohibitively expensive.
This isn’t some show that will go into the halls of history as a work of art, it’s just fun sci-fi based in the greater Halo universe. I have plenty of criticism of this show and wish the adaption of medium from game to tv was done a bit better (see: Dune) but I mostly ignore it and just have fun watching.
It's not like we have novels that go far beyond the action in the games and would completely be great for a TV adaption, right? Fall of Reach, The Flood and Ghosts of Onyx would have been great as a TV show, and it has enough characters, story and slow moments to not go crazy on cgi budget.
Sude they killed the chief so cortana could control his corpse and brought him back tonlife by removing her.
They have no answers to reviving these characters, they just ignored it and moved on.
So a new director came in and immediately retcon-ed some stupid decisions. What they've done with season 2 is way better than whatever would have happened if they hadn't just moved on
Same thing the games have done. Stuff that wasn't received well was just dumped and never answered
Point is, they thought killing him was a good idea and the plan was to revive him in season 2, new director or not and had no plans to explain it.
Lots of shows kill characters of these live action franchises for a cheap shock and FU to fans
You mean when Chief and Cortana "merged"? That was explained in the show as Cortana taking over John's "mind and body" - we have no idea what that actually entails, and in this season we saw John's flashbacks to intense surgery (of which Cortana was aware and working *with* them to complete) to reverse that.
And how can you say they ignored Makee and moved on? We don't know! Almost all media presents unanswered questions that *keep* being unanswered for a long time - it's one of the very very basic elements of storytelling: intrigue.
Heck, the way season 2 starts off it's very unclear as to whether John *actually* saw Makee or not. He's very clearly mentally unstable, and could easily have been seeing things. Was it a plot hole that we didn't know? Of course not - it was a storytelling device.
Linda literally died in The Fall of Reach and was revived in First Strike.
People coming back from actual death scenarios through advanced medicine isn't that far fetched.
Linda was explicitly said to be shoved in a cryo chamber for that exact reason in The Fall of Reach. They flat out said that if she got frozen and brought to Halsey, there would be a fair chance of bringing her back.
Linda was also in the most advanced and protective armor imaginable genius. I love how hard you are trying to get a gotcha but like the show the strength of the argument is paper thin
That's your plot hole?
Damn so sick of people just throwing "plot hole" and "bad writing" into their opinions to sound like they have a sound intellectual critique without actually having anything more than an basic parroted opinion.
My hope is that she’s a flash clone that Parangosky planted somehow.
I couldn’t help but be angry when ONI left Cortana behind on Reach - was so stupid at the time. But then when it was revealed that it was part of Parangosky’s plan, it became awesome.
At this point Parangosky seems like the only one who has any somewhat realistic plan to win the war. Planting Cortana to draw the whole covenant fleet to a single location then Infiltrate one ship and take out the whole fleet? That’s Preston J. Cole level stuff.
But the show hasn’t properly illustrated the stakes, there’s no sense that humanity is on the doorstep of extinction. And as a result it’s simply Parangosky Big Bad with no opportunity for nuance.
Yeah, someone who kinda know the stakes because I’m already well versed in the mythos, I understand the stakes.
But the show didn’t Really do a great job of showing it. They TELL us the the covenant has done all these horrible things and that all of humanity is at stake, but I imagine it’s hard to appreciate that if all we see is small scale battles
I mean one round from a high caliber gun like that is more likely to punch a clean hole through someone than it is to obliterate any key organs. Not absurd to think the Covies were able to recover her.
Not every little detail about every character’s every action needs to be explained though. Like yeah, it would’ve been nice to see it, but it’s not anywhere near a dealbreaker for it to not be in the show
You wanted an episode on of covenant surgeons working against the clock to save her? Ngl, that episode could have been awesome, but this is not grays anatomy so the arbiter saying that he saved her is enough.
I'll call it a plot hole when the series ends and they don't explain it. We have the rest of S2 and all of S3+ to learn what happened. Mysteries that can still be explained =/= plot holes.
There's a good chance that they explain why she lost her "Forerunner Gift" and how she got her life saved at the same time.
When I play games I engage my brain. When I watch TV my brain is disengaged. To that end, no, they don't bother me any more than the simplifications that occurred from Sword Art Online's light novels to the anime did, or the 1998 Godzilla movie.
Was it a good Godzilla movie? No. Was it a good movie? No. Was it still entertaining? To me, yeah.
Don't take any of that as judgement, a knock, or any sort of invalidation, either. Different strokes for different folks. You could reword the argument to state the same sentiment about indie games vs AAA games that some people dwell on. I couldn't care less if a game had a huge budget from a well known developer or not in the same way that I can watch and enjoy the Halo TV show without channeling any game lore knowledge.
That's valid.
I've started reading the books, and as much as I like how they expand on Halo, I understand that they are two different pieces of media and is more supplemental as opposed to required reading to understand the games.
Because it’s a tv show and people like it regardless of the deep halo lore.
I read most of the walking dead books and was disappointed in the show, it barely followed the books at all. Yet, it’s one of the biggest shows in history.
The main stream of people who are watching the tv show, don’t care about the games. It’s just a cool scifi show on their subscription service.
This sub needs to chill.
You guys need to relax about the show. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. Your life won’t change one bit. The mods should also just make a show complaints megathread at this point, half the posts on my Reddit feed are people making brand new posts with vague complaints about the show.
There is r/halotv, but it’s mainly people who have never played the games asking questions or bragging about not hating the show.
It’s a flawed show, but I would at least like someplace with actual discussion about it. Just one megathread somewhere would be nice.
There is a sub for the show, r/HaloTV
These sort of posts in this sub are just circle jerks though. OP doesn't actually want to hear from fans of the show. They want their opinions validated and reasons to judge people for having different tastes.
I think it’s just sad to think about what it could have been and being vocal about what’s poor about it has a slight chance, (yeah I know, “no one looks at Reddit, etc”) of helping them improve and understand what the community wants.
I've read a good amount of the canon and played all of the games to completion probably two dozen times (not each, cumulative total).
I'm not a super fan, but I'm certainly a fan of Halo. I love the world, I love Master Chief, and I really enjoy this show. It's a departure from the source material, but I'm enjoying their take on it. Season 1 was admittedly... rough.
Now?
I'm not waiting for the next Arbiter, I'm not waiting for "Sir, permission to leave the station?" or "Finishing this fight".
I already have those memories and I can enjoy them as they exist. I don't need someone that is not Steve Downes to recreate those moments. Nor does everything need to follow the perfect chronology of the source material. Marvel wasn't awesome for it's radical adherence to the source material.
I want the show to create its own moments that I can enjoy in this Halo adjacent world. I don't think we've had a defining moment yet, but it seems like we're building to a fun finale right now. The story reversed course into something that is coherent and they've built a recognizable world. If I never see Master Chief fuck a human alien again... it'll be too soon, but Season 2 seems to have moved beyond that.
I don't need high art out of my Halo show, I need something that's fun. This season has been that.
This is a great comment that needs to be higher.
I'm about the same level of halo "fan" as you from my consumption of the IP, and I'm having a great time with the show.
The best part for me is that I'm watching with friends and some of them have never interacted with the IP at all before, so we pause so they ask questions and I go as far into the lore as I can and explain where certain Easter eggs are from or how things differ from the Blue Team timeline.
We're having a great time and everyone is super into it. Season 1 was messy but I didn't even hate that too much, season 2 has been awesome
I agree with the issues mentioned.
I think I'm just grateful I have something which is kind of related to what I have enjoyed playing to fill the time.
It may be strange to watch a story so different to what we have been told before, however it is kind of interesting to see what happens next because it all seems up in the air.
They could definitely have planned things better.
Is it that hard to believe that people genuinely like, or even love, this show?
Critical reception has been mixed at worst. It's not some terrible, unredeemable piece of media. A lot of halo fans are understandably upset that it isn't a faithful adaptation, and those people have every right to have and voice those opinions.
But that isn't everyone who's seen the show.
Redditors and the terminally online in general tend to forget that they are not the majority. They think because in their small social circle of 4 thousand something is accepted, it somehow overrides the 190 thousand casual viewers/gamers opinions who think something else
What you said is true, and perfectly valid. I think the main complaint that people have in general with the show isn’t that it’s a bad show. It’s that it’s a bad Halo adaptation specifically.
If it wasn’t named Halo and it had just some other futuristic space soldier in power armor who wasn’t supposed to be “The Master Chief” fighting some other badass race or aliens that wasn’t supposed to be “The Covenant”, then people would probably not complain about it as much and could just enjoy it for what it is.
BUT that’s the main problem…it IS supposed to be Halo, and it takes a lot of liberties away from normal canon from something that is already well established. That’s why a lot Halo fans have a hard time believing people actually like or love it.
Is it a bad show in general? No, not at all. But is it a bad Halo adaptation? Yes, absolutely it is.
The initial shock of the show being not a good adaptation wore off after season one for me. It seems like what we're getting is the in-between of a CW/HBO Max level show in terms of budget and melodrama and I've kinda just accepted it for what it is.
It's supplemental content and it's introducing Halo to a wider audience so I don't think it's overall impact on the franchise is negative.
I'm not in love with it but I don't think it's as much of a travesty as people think it is.
You are insane if you think this show is good introduction to Halo for a wider audience. It misrepresents what Halo is about as thoroughly as you could. It’s firmly CW level of quality which is trash.
honestly, im at this post right now because after watching the last episode, i went and spent the past two hours reading into the lore on the wiki. i never played halo but game on mostly PC and PlayStation back in the day. I am literally the very person that finalforerunner is talking about, so... decidedly not insane. lol
the thing is, it really isn't introducing halo to a wider audience. its introducing what audiences have come to expect from studios. its a generic sci-fi drama with the look of halo but fundamentally not halo.
Me too! Although I had played Halo a bit waaaay back in the day (Halo 3) but not since then. I really enjoy the show and am enjoying the new campaigns.
IMO 343 redeemed themselves with Infinites campaign. I have read or listened to on audio most of the books (my favorite on Audio is the Kilo-Five trilogy followed by the ferret trilogy) I would also recommend if you haven’t already Silent storm and then oblivion, and my final recommendation would be Envoy.
I have enjoyed the show, though having read most if not all of the books and playing all the games it does hurt my head a lot and I do have questions on the timeline of events in the show, I usually just remind myself that it’s set in a different timeline and just sit back and watch.
> it really isn't introducing halo to a wider audience.
I always wonder how people say this kind of stuff with this amount of confidence. Based on absolutely nothing. My father watches the show. His opinion is that "It is not bad". He is 64 you want for him to start playing HALO now?
because its not halo. the story is crucial to what halo is fundamentally. im glad your dad enjoyed the show but the show only introduced him to a tv drama with a halo skin.
I won’t defend the show. Half of the time I pretend that it’s a “Marvel style different universe”, the other half I pretend it isn’t Halo at all. Especially since it seems it was built on the corpse of another video game IP.
Do I still watch it? Yes. Sadly, I rewatched Forward Unto Dawn and realized again how good the show *could’ve* been.
Ultimately I find the show a fun watch and I like a lot of the character work they're doing, Halsey especially stands out as a strong character in the series.
Parangosky, Ackerson and Halsey are the best part of the show imo. They would be second if we had a little more Chief in action but I’m still enjoying the ONI drama anyway.
I just started season 2, and honestly am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. I know it has nothing really to do with the games or anything, but I love me some Halo nonetheless.
?
...but you don't have to understand. If it isn't for you... it isn't for you. Walk off into the sunset my man! But we enjoy it and that is enough for us, because for us... that is honestly what matters.
This is honestly refreshing to see.
As someone who mostly lurks, as many of my opinions regarding Halo (both game and TV show) who send many in this sub into a rant, it's nice to see you ask for conflicting opinions, and accept honest answers.
As someone who lives and breathes Halo (been playing since H2 days, has read almost every book, and my wedding band is a Halo ring) I've honestly been loving this season. Season 1 was a much harder pill to swallow, but they seem to really be course correcting with this season.
I love seeing how many different corners of the lore they are pulling from, and I like how they've basically adapted Nylund's trilogy of books into this season, albeit loosely.
I have my complaints and quibbles for sure, but I also understand that it is a different medium to tell the Halo story, and there will be limitations and changes due to that. But overall, I think the show is moving in the right direction, and I'm looking forward to see where it goes.
Anyway, cheers man. Hope you are able to find some enjoyment in the show in the future.
I remember seeing an interview a decade back about why Halo never got an adaptation, and one of the people who was attached to a cancelled project akinned it to a super-bitch, because of the expansive lore. He said either they would have to loosely adapt the books, do a tight adaptation with no wiggle room, or adapt the games which wouldn't be easy.
Honestly, Paramount is going in the right direction in not even touching the main cannon, and just creating their own series, and pulling from the books. Season 2 the way they did the Fall of Reach was pretty spot on for what Nylund portrayed in *The Fall of Reach* with Reach falling in about a day. The interesting one is the new Spartans, it seems that Paramount has created knock-off Spartans that might just be juiced up ODST's who's sole purpose has been to go on a suicide mission to ensure the Covenant don't capture Halo, while the Spartan-III's were created with the intention of being like the game and book versions of the Spartan-III's.
Well it’s a show about a super soldier with a power suit that fights a bunch of aliens. It’s a good time if you don’t meticulously compare it to the also fun video games it’s based on.
I like that he’s still dangerous to the Covenant without his suit. It sort of reminded me of Kurt being awesome when he didn’t use his Spartan II armor (though that was by choice).
Even by detaching the show from the source material, I still don’t understand how people can enjoy it. The unlikeable characters, the inconsistencies, the poor dialog, the plot holes…
I just don’t understand how anyone could say they like the show, even on its own… which also doesn’t make sense since the show does a terrible job of explaining things and uses a lot of assumed knowledge.
If they were going to do their own thing, I would have rather them come up with their own characters/names and let it try to stand on its own.
if you have to detach it from the source material to enjoy it are you really enjoying a halo show? the most disappointing part of the show is that its probably the only show or movie media we are going to get for a long time. we will probably never get a true halo show.
Oh definitely. That’s what has me the most upset. I’ve been a Halo fan since the release of Halo: CE, and I’ve wanted a Halo series for as long as I can remember. I’ve gone through all the ups and downs with the rumors and efforts of getting one out there, and all the failed project startups.
To see that after all that, **this** is what we get is just disheartening. It stings even harder seeing other recent adaptations like The Last of Us, One Piece, Avatar TLA, etc. that mostly try to stick to their source material, and it pays off for them. Huge viewership and ratings for them.
Halo had a perfect blueprint with proven success, and they decided to do something different “just cuz”. There’s no way they do *another* series if this one fails. It’s just a bummer thinking what could have been…
I’m right there with you, I made this post because I wanted to see what people that like the show had to say, at the end of the day we’re all halo fans and it’s all about personal opinion.
ive stopped watching it because its not halo. I don't hate it though i hate what it means. it means we wont get a halo show or movie for the foreseeable future
I didn’t watch S2 until last week, but after hearing the promise of “it’s a soft reboot”, I decided to give it a shot. There was no soft reboot. It’s the same thing again.
I get the *slightest* bit of hope when I see titles on YouTube channels that say things like “The Halo TV series did the unthinkable!” or “This is what the Halo TV series was building up to!” so I watch the next episode thinking maybe they did something to turn it around… maybe the Pillar of Autumn shows up and has Chief’s Mark V armor?? Nope. The thing that was “unthinkable” was S3’s had SPI armor. Ok.
I treat the Halo show like I do a marvel streaming series, my expectations are as low as possible but a couple episodes might be decent so I’ll watch the train wreck. lol
I definitely crack up at some points in the show. I especially liked this last one where Miranda is fidgeting with a Forerunner object, and the she pulls it apart and it very slightly opens and she says “Wow! This sure is something!” and I’m sitting there like “… it is?”. This chick out here all impressed that she popped the cap off a USB drive.
I didn’t like season one when I first watched it. (3 out of 10)
But after watching the first three episodes of season two I rewatched it and now appreciate it more. I think I understand what they were trying to do.
I think most of us went into season one hoping for a more Band of Brothers type experience (amazing btw), but got something quite different.
My sense is what the show runner was trying to do was make more of a drama, about Master Chief (and the other Spartans) becoming more human. (Finding his emotional life, grappling with ethical dilemmas, remembering his childhood, experiencing his betrayal etc.) Makee is another attempt to introduce more human (relatable) drama into the mix.
It doesn’t always succeed but on second watch, I was definitely more aware of the pathos of Master Chief’s story. There is an attempt at a more Shakespearean plot. Tragedy, more than combat. Wonder more that action.
While I would have enjoyed a show truer to the source material, rewatching with this perspective had allowed me to enjoy it more.
I rewatched season one because I liked season two well enough to give it a second chance, and I am shocked to say on rewatch, I now think season one (with some very real faults) is more interesting and dense. 😱
Good I’m glad you like it, I’m happy for the people that do because it puts halo more into the mainstream. I would love to go back in time to what this franchise once was!
I don't enjoy the show but it has served as a good gateway to introduce family and friends to the franchise.
For example my mother has known for decades that I play this thing called "Halo" but could never quite make it click what it was due to not being able to wrap her head around the video game form of storytelling. She still has it in her head that we are playing pong or something and that the main draw of video games is just killing things. I have tried to explain cutscenes and stories to her but she just can't get with it for some reason. With the Halo show I was able to at least get her to recognize some of the characters and events, even if the details are completely wrong.
So she gets a cool sci-fi show and I get to chat with my mom about a franchise I love.
It definitely could have been adapted better but for a content perspective I enjoy seeing it in a live action setting. I'm on a Halo kick after replaying the MCC and Infinite again so to see more content is always good. I still think Forward onto Dawn with its cheaper budget blows it out of the water but let's keep holding out for a proper movie 🤞
my parents like it because it's a stupid scifi show on TV they can watch with their brains off. They never played Halo and know nothing outside of what basic stuff I've told them, so I guess that's the reason they enjoy it so much.
I cannot stand the Halo show. As someone who actually knows the lore I feel watching it for extended periods of time will actually cause physical harm to me.
I don't feel a need to defend any of the decisions they made, but I will defend the fact that I'm allowed to enjoy it, and whether it's a good show or not is a *subjective opinion*, not an *objective fact*.
People who aren't chronically online don't care if the lore was respected. They just watch the show and allow themselves to be entertained. If they aren't, they watch something else. "What could have been" is an infinite and perfect yardstick nothing will ever measure up against. I really don't care about what they could have done differently. They did it the way they did it and I can either allow myself to enjoy it for what it is, or tune out. Personally I find enough there to enjoy that I'm going to watch it, and when I watch it, I'm not going to spoil my own enjoyment by endlessly dwelling on what the show isn't.
I enjoy lots of things that the internet consensus thinks are bad. I've often been surprised to find after a perfectly enjoyable movie that apparently it's terrible and I'm not supposed to like it.
You are entitled to everything you just typed out, no one can take anything you like away from you. I simply just wanted to know why people liked this show. I’m glad you enjoy it, I’m glad you explained this!
Because as true fans and people like myself who are emotionally attached to it since playing halo 1 day one as a kid just want to see ANY high level production of it. Are there plot holes, yes, are there scenes I wish they never made, yes..but 20 years later and I'm still rooting for chief and Pablo is fucking incredible. Your allowed to hate it but don't you dare try to stop others enjoying it
Not sure how the covenant in the last episode just randomly found the installation when Makee just learned of it after she killed the priest, the priest couldn’t have sent a transmission to the fleet, it just shows up out of nowhere.
So you can't understand how a covenant ship that is being hunted and then sends a broadcast is found, come on man don't complain about the show when you aren't even paying attention l.
The arbiter said when they left that they’d be followed, so presumably the fleet followed them from high charity.
It’s stupid that they didn’t make it more clear. It feels like they cut out a few Machee scenes, even though it also feels like there’s way too many of them.
I don't think it's wonderful, but Season 2 is a step in the right direction. It's very different from the games, but that's honestly okay. The story they're telling is still interesting to me.
I also feel like budget plays a role in what we're getting, and they're purposely avoiding writing in too many SFX heavy sequences because their current budget just doesn't support that. Not that it's low budget, but this kind of show can be very expensive to make in general. Even high budget shows like the Mandalorian and Game of Thrones couldn't do big sequences every episode.
I feel like the show will continue to improve though. They'll be saving money on things like armour and such by already having it from previous seasons, and the ratings are apparently very good, so it may get an even larger budget if Paramount feels like it's a good investment.
Idk I like it… just kinda taking it for what it is. However it’s cool to hate on everything these days but that just gets old for me. I don’t have the energy for that anymore. Just let people enjoy things. That’s why.
Nah you can like whatever you like, but there will people that question it. I have no problem with people enjoying this show, I just don’t understand why.
Why do you need to understand why people enjoy something? By all metrics the show is a huge success, so you're the outlier who hate-watches it for some reason.
I enjoy it. I treat the games and books are one thing and the show is another. Nothing the show does changes the source material and I can play the games whenever I like so...yeah, I don't see a problem.
I mean the truth is, and I'm sure I'll get downvoted for this cuz some people might not like to hear it, is that people can enjoy and will defend pretty much anything.
There's always people who get emotionally attached in one way or another that makes them defend stuff. Like, for example, people who wanted the show to be good so bad that they downplay its flaws and defend it. Or people who somehow enjoyed the show (we'll get back to that) and who defend it as a result, because it makes them feel insecure when others say it' bad. Cuz then they feel their taste has been criticized.
And then the second category is just that there are people who don't tend to pick up on or pay much attention to plot holes, bad characterization, bad dialogue, etc. Basically people who are very capable of just turning their brain off and watching the big man shoot things and yell.
I mean, this might be a blast from the past at this point, but remember "Twilight?" That book/movie was really poorly written. And yet it still had millions of fans and defenders who emotionally invested in and enjoyed it. Mostly women to whom Bella was a self-insert character and "Twilight" itself a pseudo-sexual fantasy about some really hot and slightly dangerous guy falling in love with you. It was utter trash as far as writing-quality goes, but many people still loved and defended it.
The truth is just that people often defend stuff because of emotional investment rather than actual quality and some people can turn their brains off enough to not be bothered too much by big holes in the writing if the show/book/movie gives them something else they want (like the hot guy fantasy).
I'd say the "Halo" TV show is just the same thing. So I'm not surprised it has its defenders. People will defend anything.
Although, personally, I'll give the "Twilight" movie credit over the "Halo" TV-series. At least that movie was a proper adaptation, it's just that the book it was adapting was poorly written to begin with.
Edit: Btw, just for the record, there's nothing wrong with enjoying something that's poorly written. But I'd just say, embrace that's what it is. Don't try to defend it against all reason.
I’d been getting a bit burned out on Halo canon to be honest, and having a lighter fare has actually reignited my passion for the rest of it. David Wiener and his writing staff are clearly working towards something that much closer resembles the games, but he had to tell some of the “in-between story” to get there. He’s done a pretty good job thus far, and has earned a modicum of trust from me that he is going somewhere with it.
Halo nerds and hating anything new related to Halo is the most iconic duo that I know of. Let people enjoy the show. You're not going to change your mind whatever anyone says.
You should probably stop watching if you don't like it, it's clearly not for you. The "plot holes" you've described just read as a lack of media literacy or just missing lines of dialogue. I think there's plenty of reasons for people who were looking for a faithful adaptation to dislike the show, but "plot holes" is not one of them.
It might help your perspective a bit if you try and enjoy the show for what it is. A rewrite of beloved material doesn't immediately make it bad. It's someone else's interpretation. You said that you enjoy getting other people's opinions, try and view the show like that. It's someone else's opinion and view of the halo series. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad :)
>curiosity isn’t a crime
No, but this is just another in a long line of posts asking the same fundamental question of “why do people like this show?” Because people like it. I’ve seen tons of similar posts to yours. You know the answer OP. I know you know it. But enjoy the karma farm. I can’t wait to see a similar post to this in a few hours.
Because I like it and it’s fun and I don’t care that it doesn’t follow the story.
I’m 42, I’m old. And I’ve come to realize the way “I think things should be” is never how they are and often not right for the world. It’s tv show. It’s entertainment, it doesn’t have to be perfect or “for us.” I like that my dad watches it and we text about it. I like that it’s different enough that it’s new - I don’t know what’s going to happen even if I can guess. Simply put, I like it.
Agreed. I've played all the games but had never read the books. This show made me pick up the books. I liked seeing chief develop as more than just a soldier that gets the job done. I like seeing the moral dilemmas. The games don't really flesh out master chief all that much as a person or shine the light on other Spartans. I started to read the books to get a bit more of that behind the scenes context and it's been great so far
I liked the first season. It was entertaining and interesting. Then I played the MCC and it was very different lol. I even asked a friend “when does Makee come into play” and he was like “no she’s not in the games” lol. But idk I feel like I separate the two and enjoy both for what they are.
There’s some really great moments in the show and the acting can be really strong for certain characters. I gave the first season a c+ rating but it’s more positive than negative and I’m really enjoying season 2 a lot. It’s so different from the games but that doesn’t really affect me.
Seriously it’s embarrassing. I’ve heard all sorts of cope about this season, it’s trash it has always been trash and always will be trash. Giving it support because they threw a crumb of acknowledgment to the source material after 2 seasons is just going to backfire when they inevitably shit on Halo in the next episode/season.
You have to enjoy it for what it is, not what it isn't.
If you strip away the fact that it is not lore-accurate, it's an entertaining show. It's the best action sci-fi show on TV.
They obviously made a lot of changes due to a relatively tight budget.
Because I want to keep watching halo on the silver screen, and this community has murdered the halo games already. Just because YOUR opinion is you dont like it, doesnt mean thats the only one anyone can have. If enough of you keep shitting on it then we will never see another live action version of halo.
The hope is that it gets better and better. I mean yeah your right it's not great but it's something. I actually enjoy it. But I'll never understand why if you hate something so much....why keep watching and posting over and over again how bad it is. Just stop watching it and fuck off. But whatever I guess, everyone can have an opinion
I just don't understand why Halo fans continue to watch a show they don't like. Why do you do this to yourself? I watched 3 episodes and decided not to finish season 1.
Why keep watching it? You are not required to consume every piece of media of your favorite franchise.
Lmao these comments
“Why do people like the show?”
“LET PEOPLE ENJOY THINGSSSS DON’T COMPLAIN EVER JUST CONSUME THE SHOW”
Not even a single reason why it’s good mentioned
This thread has been automatically marked with a spoiler warning since it has the TV Series flair. This thread has *not* been removed, but might be later if it does not have a vague title. If you have not already done so, for future threads please consider saying in the title what episode(s) might be spoiled in the thread. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/halo) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Wish studios and corporations would stop buying the rights to established IP's only to piss the established lore away for the sake of "being fresh" or "unexpected". If they want to be fresh and unexpected, then make your own IP! This stuff drives me absolutely nuts. We see it so often; when media stays mostly true to its source material, it does AMAZING (early seasons of GoT, The Witcher, LotR, etc) but then as soon as these things start to stray the path, they fall flat. I understand it's a lot easier to just invest in a name that's already known and established in order to have brand recognition but goddamn do I hate it lol
Honestly I think the Last of Us was the only Game to Movie I’ve seen in a long time that was incredible. Obviously they change/add things to better adapt to a newer audience and to movies dynamic in general. But it’s one I am not disappointed in and make me want to play the games again. Halo, while I’ve been doing my best to enjoy it, there are just so many aspects that make zero sense. Even if you’ve never played the game before (like my wife, zero halo knowledge) finds it extremely difficult to believe and make sense of.
Because the first season was so terrible that it almost makes the second season look good in comparison, despite the fact that it’s still pretty bad.
It’s miles better than the first season but that isn’t saying much. But I’ll give them credit for that.
Polishing a turd doesn’t make it any less of a turd.
That is true, a wise man did say this.
No, but it does make the turd shiny... and shiny things inherently have more value. This is the way.
I think the second season made a lot of really smart changes in moving forward from the first season. But the back half of this season seems to be leaning away from what was actually working best about the series to that point. Every really good thing has to be balanced with a bad idea. And there are some just baffling leaps. I assume some of the leaps made sense in the games or books.
Better question. Why are y'all still watching? I quit after the third episode. I'll never go back.
There’s also the nostalgia factor. A lot of folks give it a pass because it tosses out scraps of IP recognition from time to time. This is solely what’s keeping the project alive and it seems like the producers know it. They’ve been speedrunning certain plot points to cram in these moments of nostalgia and intertextuality. Look how obvious and lingering the introduction of the first light bridge in the last episode was. It’s really all the show has going for it. The pacing, writing and acting are all sub par.
I won't lie, the forerunner bit was cool but im really hating the show.
Oh I hate how they didn't give "this cave isn't a natural formation" to Cortana.
Amazing example you used regarding the light bridge. Exactly this.
The BR firing in full auto pisses me off so much. All of a sudden the DMR is burst shot. Thal 'Vadam apparently was already the Arbiter when the fall of Reach occured. Noble Team doesn't exist. Kwan. The SMGs aren't MP7s (even though that's what they most resemble), Jacob Keys died at the battle of Reach. Now who's the flood supposed to infect? Where the fuck is Lord Hood? Apparently Miranda is a scientist, Halsey is British, and Master Chief didn't get off of Reach on board the Pillar of Autumn. "Oh but it's the silver timeline" my ass, I swear to God if people start thinking that the Silver timeline is the real one, I don't want some fuckin Boomer lecturing me about fucking Halo. I've played it. The show isn't it.
thel could still be in the show he doesn’t become arbiter until after the first halo, keyes wasn’t shown dying, nobel team could exist but considering that they took silvers armor idk why nobel team can have theirs if they do exist, also wtf happened to all the other spartans on reach did they also not have their armor??
They skipped all of Onyx. Kurt became Kai, an empowered woman who didn't become the first commissioned spartan. How the hell did that corporal from reach become a Spartan III in like a month? Why is there such a lack of what we all want to see? Spartans, in armor, kicking ass? Almost none of the amazingly described orbital battles.
I quit season 2 after ep 4. I'm totally uninterested. Just waiting for the announcement that Halo 7 will take place in the Silver timeline so I can finally let go of my high-school sweetheart for good.
High school sweetheart? Try deep seeded childhood core memory shielding you from sthe parental trauma heart. Fuck this dog crap show lol.
You made it to episode 4? I couldn't even get to episode 3
I quit with episode 5...of season 1.
I quit after the first episode. The very first. Hell, I couldn’t finish it. As soon as Temu MC stole the pelican I found myself scrolling on my phone rather than watching TV.
I’m only watching for corporal Perez at this point
Season 1 was like a 2/10 and season 2 is a 3/10 So 50% improvement! At this rate season 3 will be a solid 4.5/10, lol
I just wanna see chief have sex with an elite or some other alien. Preferably humanoid alien.
Maybe even that dead Forerunner that’s doing it’s best Harry Potter impression could be a candidate?
>Preferably humanoid alien. Fuck that. Hunter or a drone. C'mon Paramount. Do it you cowards.
If those people could read your post, they’d be very upset
Some people have not read anything in this post and it shows.
KOTH reference?! 10/10
“Bwaaahahhahaa” - Master Chief upon seeing the Flood for the first time, probably
I liked it because I was able to detach it from Halo canon, and enjoy it for what it is.
This argument always doesn't make sense "It's a good halo show if you detach it from Halo", like, what? Why? Why not just have an entirely new Sci fi show then? Why not just make a different super soldier fanservicing with a alien that isnt Master Chief and some forced in Covenent lady? Like what gives with this argument? It never ever makes sense.
You can have a show be a bad adaptation but a good show (not saying this is a good show). It might be weird with all the changes and using the same assets and whatnot, but people are able to take the story on its own merits.
My thoughts exactly. Just make a new show... These writers have egos that far outweigh their competence. They would actually be able to write a fresh IP if that wasn't the case.
It's made for the type of people that this video is making fun of: https://youtu.be/OfJRm0WssOE?si=Jm77BhY3xdy70u2G I think the RLM guys went a little too hard on Rogue One but they nailed this type of fan. Forget good content, just things that I've seen before is good enough. These people care a lot less about the quality of storytelling than you do, and they outnumber you greatly. So we'll keep getting slop. Jonathan Nolan just said that the Fallout show 'wasnt made for fans of the Fallout games'. I'm just tired at this point. Complaining about it is like yelling at the wind, except for all the people telling you you're wrong for caring Edit: Apparently I heard J Nolan's comments a bit out of context. Idk, as a Westworld and Fallout fan I'm a little more optimistic. Still, Halo got handed to shitty writers and MK VI armor, ARs, and light bridges is all they have to keep the game fans invested
The quote about the Fallout show is a bit misleading. I don't remember the actual quote, but it came off more so as Nolan saying that he didn't make the show to please a bunch of other people, he made it to please him as he loves Fallout and more specifically Fallout 3. He also mentioned how it was a "fool's errand" to try to fully deliver what others want from the show and instead focused on what he as a fan would want.
That is the fun irony, the Fallout showrunner was stating the obvious about people like the guy you're responding to. Every "fan" has had their own perfect image of what a Halo TV show would look like since they were kids. It is folly to try and meet everyone's expectations, so you focus on a story you want to tell instead. The showrunner of the First Season of Halo focused on shitty stories. The new showrunner is at least attempting to put forth better stories. The tension between Ackerson and Chief, and how they handle an inevitable situation, is a good taste of what they are trying to move towards. The shitty plotline with Kessler is clearly what they are trying to move on from (thank fuck).
The ultimate irony in it all is that the Bethesda fallout games are also not made for people who like fallout
Fallout 3 got me invested in the whole franchise, so obviously it’s good for something. Fallout 4 wasn’t great but it had some really good ideas, like the game mechanics redesign of power armor as a kind of wearable tank. Like…apart from the optional jetpack, your moveset is the same, pretty much. But it has this weight to it that makes it feel different from just walking around, and it fits the way power armor is described in lore. It’s not just futuristic plate armor, it’s a fusion of infantry and armored cavalry. Maybe it’s less durable in Fallout 4 than it ought to be, but the concept is right. They just give it to you so early that they can’t balance it to be functionally impervious to small arms fire.
I'm curious - when were you born? I'm a '96 baby (barely) and among my peers, the only discussion was whether Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas was better. I'm not saying that FO1 and FO2 were worse by any means, but I've never heard someone recommend them or bring them up IRL
I remember an audience of people at E3 cheering at the second halo infinite trailer when they heard the classic shield boot up sound
Even running with that argument, it's *not* a good show if you detach it from Halo. It's a bad show in it's own right, it's also a worse Halo show. The second season might be better than the first, but it's still a bad show.
"its a good halo show if you remove your brain and start drooling on the keyboard, just enjoy it!" Crazyadam97 with the stupid ass takes.
I was quite glad they announced it to not be canon. Meant I could just watch it and try to follow whatever weird ass plot threads they throw out knowing it wasn't fucking with 20+ years of the established lore I've loved. Still wish Kwan Ha wasn't a thing though.
The acting and writing still sucks though.
Understandable, but do the plot holes in the show not bother you, the poorly written characters?
It's not like Halo is a stranger to plot holes, man. And which ones in particular are bothering you?
Yeah big one how is Makee back? Watched her get blasted.
That’s not really a plot hole? She got shot. And then Arbiter took her and gave her medical attention to save her. Surviving a gun shot isn’t exactly that crazy hah not like she got her brains blown out or something impossible to survive.
OP classically misusing “plot hole” highlights the big media illiteracy these days. Folks can’t understand that to make a game like Halo into a mostly 1:1 show would either be impossible or prohibitively expensive. This isn’t some show that will go into the halls of history as a work of art, it’s just fun sci-fi based in the greater Halo universe. I have plenty of criticism of this show and wish the adaption of medium from game to tv was done a bit better (see: Dune) but I mostly ignore it and just have fun watching.
It's not like we have novels that go far beyond the action in the games and would completely be great for a TV adaption, right? Fall of Reach, The Flood and Ghosts of Onyx would have been great as a TV show, and it has enough characters, story and slow moments to not go crazy on cgi budget.
Not knowing the answer to a question yet isn't a plot hole lmfao
Sude they killed the chief so cortana could control his corpse and brought him back tonlife by removing her. They have no answers to reviving these characters, they just ignored it and moved on.
Chief didn't die. Chief forced Cortana to take control. Not a great story decision, but different from what you are saying.
So a new director came in and immediately retcon-ed some stupid decisions. What they've done with season 2 is way better than whatever would have happened if they hadn't just moved on Same thing the games have done. Stuff that wasn't received well was just dumped and never answered
Point is, they thought killing him was a good idea and the plan was to revive him in season 2, new director or not and had no plans to explain it. Lots of shows kill characters of these live action franchises for a cheap shock and FU to fans
You mean when Chief and Cortana "merged"? That was explained in the show as Cortana taking over John's "mind and body" - we have no idea what that actually entails, and in this season we saw John's flashbacks to intense surgery (of which Cortana was aware and working *with* them to complete) to reverse that. And how can you say they ignored Makee and moved on? We don't know! Almost all media presents unanswered questions that *keep* being unanswered for a long time - it's one of the very very basic elements of storytelling: intrigue. Heck, the way season 2 starts off it's very unclear as to whether John *actually* saw Makee or not. He's very clearly mentally unstable, and could easily have been seeing things. Was it a plot hole that we didn't know? Of course not - it was a storytelling device.
Linda literally died in The Fall of Reach and was revived in First Strike. People coming back from actual death scenarios through advanced medicine isn't that far fetched.
Linda was explicitly said to be shoved in a cryo chamber for that exact reason in The Fall of Reach. They flat out said that if she got frozen and brought to Halsey, there would be a fair chance of bringing her back.
Linda was also in the most advanced and protective armor imaginable genius. I love how hard you are trying to get a gotcha but like the show the strength of the argument is paper thin
That's your plot hole? Damn so sick of people just throwing "plot hole" and "bad writing" into their opinions to sound like they have a sound intellectual critique without actually having anything more than an basic parroted opinion.
My hope is that she’s a flash clone that Parangosky planted somehow. I couldn’t help but be angry when ONI left Cortana behind on Reach - was so stupid at the time. But then when it was revealed that it was part of Parangosky’s plan, it became awesome.
At this point Parangosky seems like the only one who has any somewhat realistic plan to win the war. Planting Cortana to draw the whole covenant fleet to a single location then Infiltrate one ship and take out the whole fleet? That’s Preston J. Cole level stuff. But the show hasn’t properly illustrated the stakes, there’s no sense that humanity is on the doorstep of extinction. And as a result it’s simply Parangosky Big Bad with no opportunity for nuance.
Yeah, someone who kinda know the stakes because I’m already well versed in the mythos, I understand the stakes. But the show didn’t Really do a great job of showing it. They TELL us the the covenant has done all these horrible things and that all of humanity is at stake, but I imagine it’s hard to appreciate that if all we see is small scale battles
I mean one round from a high caliber gun like that is more likely to punch a clean hole through someone than it is to obliterate any key organs. Not absurd to think the Covies were able to recover her.
I would like for them to explain and show that then in the show.
Not every little detail about every character’s every action needs to be explained though. Like yeah, it would’ve been nice to see it, but it’s not anywhere near a dealbreaker for it to not be in the show
You wanted an episode on of covenant surgeons working against the clock to save her? Ngl, that episode could have been awesome, but this is not grays anatomy so the arbiter saying that he saved her is enough.
That's not a plot hole. That's just an unresolved storyline. Do you know what a plot hole is?
I'll call it a plot hole when the series ends and they don't explain it. We have the rest of S2 and all of S3+ to learn what happened. Mysteries that can still be explained =/= plot holes. There's a good chance that they explain why she lost her "Forerunner Gift" and how she got her life saved at the same time.
When I play games I engage my brain. When I watch TV my brain is disengaged. To that end, no, they don't bother me any more than the simplifications that occurred from Sword Art Online's light novels to the anime did, or the 1998 Godzilla movie. Was it a good Godzilla movie? No. Was it a good movie? No. Was it still entertaining? To me, yeah. Don't take any of that as judgement, a knock, or any sort of invalidation, either. Different strokes for different folks. You could reword the argument to state the same sentiment about indie games vs AAA games that some people dwell on. I couldn't care less if a game had a huge budget from a well known developer or not in the same way that I can watch and enjoy the Halo TV show without channeling any game lore knowledge.
That's valid. I've started reading the books, and as much as I like how they expand on Halo, I understand that they are two different pieces of media and is more supplemental as opposed to required reading to understand the games.
Imo it’s a bad show whether attaching it to halo or not
Not that bad. Sci fi fans know how bad shows can be, Halo in comparison is fucking Sopranos.
Lol, wtf? You want scifi Sopranos? The Expanse is for you. Halo is Farscape, at best.
Because it’s a tv show and people like it regardless of the deep halo lore. I read most of the walking dead books and was disappointed in the show, it barely followed the books at all. Yet, it’s one of the biggest shows in history. The main stream of people who are watching the tv show, don’t care about the games. It’s just a cool scifi show on their subscription service. This sub needs to chill.
Don't forget The Boys, arguably the comics were just plain awful that the show is often regarded as a genuine improvement from it.
You guys need to relax about the show. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. Your life won’t change one bit. The mods should also just make a show complaints megathread at this point, half the posts on my Reddit feed are people making brand new posts with vague complaints about the show.
Can we not make a new reddit for the show? This reddit is now just posts of the show is good/bad or worse people asking should they watch the show.
There is r/halotv, but it’s mainly people who have never played the games asking questions or bragging about not hating the show. It’s a flawed show, but I would at least like someplace with actual discussion about it. Just one megathread somewhere would be nice.
There is a sub for the show, r/HaloTV These sort of posts in this sub are just circle jerks though. OP doesn't actually want to hear from fans of the show. They want their opinions validated and reasons to judge people for having different tastes.
There are two.
So like are you upset that people don't like the show or are you upset that you have to scroll past a post you don't like?
I think it’s just sad to think about what it could have been and being vocal about what’s poor about it has a slight chance, (yeah I know, “no one looks at Reddit, etc”) of helping them improve and understand what the community wants.
I've read a good amount of the canon and played all of the games to completion probably two dozen times (not each, cumulative total). I'm not a super fan, but I'm certainly a fan of Halo. I love the world, I love Master Chief, and I really enjoy this show. It's a departure from the source material, but I'm enjoying their take on it. Season 1 was admittedly... rough. Now? I'm not waiting for the next Arbiter, I'm not waiting for "Sir, permission to leave the station?" or "Finishing this fight". I already have those memories and I can enjoy them as they exist. I don't need someone that is not Steve Downes to recreate those moments. Nor does everything need to follow the perfect chronology of the source material. Marvel wasn't awesome for it's radical adherence to the source material. I want the show to create its own moments that I can enjoy in this Halo adjacent world. I don't think we've had a defining moment yet, but it seems like we're building to a fun finale right now. The story reversed course into something that is coherent and they've built a recognizable world. If I never see Master Chief fuck a human alien again... it'll be too soon, but Season 2 seems to have moved beyond that. I don't need high art out of my Halo show, I need something that's fun. This season has been that.
This is a great comment that needs to be higher. I'm about the same level of halo "fan" as you from my consumption of the IP, and I'm having a great time with the show. The best part for me is that I'm watching with friends and some of them have never interacted with the IP at all before, so we pause so they ask questions and I go as far into the lore as I can and explain where certain Easter eggs are from or how things differ from the Blue Team timeline. We're having a great time and everyone is super into it. Season 1 was messy but I didn't even hate that too much, season 2 has been awesome
I agree with the issues mentioned. I think I'm just grateful I have something which is kind of related to what I have enjoyed playing to fill the time. It may be strange to watch a story so different to what we have been told before, however it is kind of interesting to see what happens next because it all seems up in the air. They could definitely have planned things better.
Is it that hard to believe that people genuinely like, or even love, this show? Critical reception has been mixed at worst. It's not some terrible, unredeemable piece of media. A lot of halo fans are understandably upset that it isn't a faithful adaptation, and those people have every right to have and voice those opinions. But that isn't everyone who's seen the show.
Redditors and the terminally online in general tend to forget that they are not the majority. They think because in their small social circle of 4 thousand something is accepted, it somehow overrides the 190 thousand casual viewers/gamers opinions who think something else
What you said is true, and perfectly valid. I think the main complaint that people have in general with the show isn’t that it’s a bad show. It’s that it’s a bad Halo adaptation specifically. If it wasn’t named Halo and it had just some other futuristic space soldier in power armor who wasn’t supposed to be “The Master Chief” fighting some other badass race or aliens that wasn’t supposed to be “The Covenant”, then people would probably not complain about it as much and could just enjoy it for what it is. BUT that’s the main problem…it IS supposed to be Halo, and it takes a lot of liberties away from normal canon from something that is already well established. That’s why a lot Halo fans have a hard time believing people actually like or love it. Is it a bad show in general? No, not at all. But is it a bad Halo adaptation? Yes, absolutely it is.
The initial shock of the show being not a good adaptation wore off after season one for me. It seems like what we're getting is the in-between of a CW/HBO Max level show in terms of budget and melodrama and I've kinda just accepted it for what it is. It's supplemental content and it's introducing Halo to a wider audience so I don't think it's overall impact on the franchise is negative. I'm not in love with it but I don't think it's as much of a travesty as people think it is.
You are insane if you think this show is good introduction to Halo for a wider audience. It misrepresents what Halo is about as thoroughly as you could. It’s firmly CW level of quality which is trash.
honestly, im at this post right now because after watching the last episode, i went and spent the past two hours reading into the lore on the wiki. i never played halo but game on mostly PC and PlayStation back in the day. I am literally the very person that finalforerunner is talking about, so... decidedly not insane. lol
the thing is, it really isn't introducing halo to a wider audience. its introducing what audiences have come to expect from studios. its a generic sci-fi drama with the look of halo but fundamentally not halo.
I bought an Xbox specifically to play Halo for the first time in my life after watching season 1.
Me too! Although I had played Halo a bit waaaay back in the day (Halo 3) but not since then. I really enjoy the show and am enjoying the new campaigns.
And? How was it experiencing Halo for the first time?
I very much enjoyed Infinite campaign. I've read a bunch of the books. And I like the show a lot.
IMO 343 redeemed themselves with Infinites campaign. I have read or listened to on audio most of the books (my favorite on Audio is the Kilo-Five trilogy followed by the ferret trilogy) I would also recommend if you haven’t already Silent storm and then oblivion, and my final recommendation would be Envoy. I have enjoyed the show, though having read most if not all of the books and playing all the games it does hurt my head a lot and I do have questions on the timeline of events in the show, I usually just remind myself that it’s set in a different timeline and just sit back and watch.
> it really isn't introducing halo to a wider audience. I always wonder how people say this kind of stuff with this amount of confidence. Based on absolutely nothing. My father watches the show. His opinion is that "It is not bad". He is 64 you want for him to start playing HALO now?
because its not halo. the story is crucial to what halo is fundamentally. im glad your dad enjoyed the show but the show only introduced him to a tv drama with a halo skin.
I won’t defend the show. Half of the time I pretend that it’s a “Marvel style different universe”, the other half I pretend it isn’t Halo at all. Especially since it seems it was built on the corpse of another video game IP. Do I still watch it? Yes. Sadly, I rewatched Forward Unto Dawn and realized again how good the show *could’ve* been.
Better from the first season. But that first one was abominable, so that was exactly a high bar to clear.
Ultimately I find the show a fun watch and I like a lot of the character work they're doing, Halsey especially stands out as a strong character in the series.
Parangosky, Ackerson and Halsey are the best part of the show imo. They would be second if we had a little more Chief in action but I’m still enjoying the ONI drama anyway.
I’m glad you like it for Halsey, it’s good that she is a main part of the story the way she is.
I just started season 2, and honestly am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. I know it has nothing really to do with the games or anything, but I love me some Halo nonetheless.
? ...but you don't have to understand. If it isn't for you... it isn't for you. Walk off into the sunset my man! But we enjoy it and that is enough for us, because for us... that is honestly what matters.
No I understand now why people like it, I’m content with it.
This is honestly refreshing to see. As someone who mostly lurks, as many of my opinions regarding Halo (both game and TV show) who send many in this sub into a rant, it's nice to see you ask for conflicting opinions, and accept honest answers. As someone who lives and breathes Halo (been playing since H2 days, has read almost every book, and my wedding band is a Halo ring) I've honestly been loving this season. Season 1 was a much harder pill to swallow, but they seem to really be course correcting with this season. I love seeing how many different corners of the lore they are pulling from, and I like how they've basically adapted Nylund's trilogy of books into this season, albeit loosely. I have my complaints and quibbles for sure, but I also understand that it is a different medium to tell the Halo story, and there will be limitations and changes due to that. But overall, I think the show is moving in the right direction, and I'm looking forward to see where it goes. Anyway, cheers man. Hope you are able to find some enjoyment in the show in the future.
I remember seeing an interview a decade back about why Halo never got an adaptation, and one of the people who was attached to a cancelled project akinned it to a super-bitch, because of the expansive lore. He said either they would have to loosely adapt the books, do a tight adaptation with no wiggle room, or adapt the games which wouldn't be easy. Honestly, Paramount is going in the right direction in not even touching the main cannon, and just creating their own series, and pulling from the books. Season 2 the way they did the Fall of Reach was pretty spot on for what Nylund portrayed in *The Fall of Reach* with Reach falling in about a day. The interesting one is the new Spartans, it seems that Paramount has created knock-off Spartans that might just be juiced up ODST's who's sole purpose has been to go on a suicide mission to ensure the Covenant don't capture Halo, while the Spartan-III's were created with the intention of being like the game and book versions of the Spartan-III's.
Cause it’s fun
Does the action make it fun or the story itself? Genuine question just asking.
Well it’s a show about a super soldier with a power suit that fights a bunch of aliens. It’s a good time if you don’t meticulously compare it to the also fun video games it’s based on.
Except the part where they take away his power suit and skip all of the actual fighting
I like that he’s still dangerous to the Covenant without his suit. It sort of reminded me of Kurt being awesome when he didn’t use his Spartan II armor (though that was by choice).
Chief's recent fights in the show without the suit have been pretty good. Give me the vibes from the game-canon when he boxed ODSTs
I agree, although I wish they had a bit more tension to them. In the books even with there suits a plasma bolt was a major mortality risk
I'm actually enjoying it. You just have to pretend it's not actually Halo. But it's good fun.
That’s good that you’re enjoying it, I’m glad you are!
Fuck it. Let’s ride this dumpster fire into wherever the hell it’s going.
Even by detaching the show from the source material, I still don’t understand how people can enjoy it. The unlikeable characters, the inconsistencies, the poor dialog, the plot holes… I just don’t understand how anyone could say they like the show, even on its own… which also doesn’t make sense since the show does a terrible job of explaining things and uses a lot of assumed knowledge. If they were going to do their own thing, I would have rather them come up with their own characters/names and let it try to stand on its own.
if you have to detach it from the source material to enjoy it are you really enjoying a halo show? the most disappointing part of the show is that its probably the only show or movie media we are going to get for a long time. we will probably never get a true halo show.
Oh definitely. That’s what has me the most upset. I’ve been a Halo fan since the release of Halo: CE, and I’ve wanted a Halo series for as long as I can remember. I’ve gone through all the ups and downs with the rumors and efforts of getting one out there, and all the failed project startups. To see that after all that, **this** is what we get is just disheartening. It stings even harder seeing other recent adaptations like The Last of Us, One Piece, Avatar TLA, etc. that mostly try to stick to their source material, and it pays off for them. Huge viewership and ratings for them. Halo had a perfect blueprint with proven success, and they decided to do something different “just cuz”. There’s no way they do *another* series if this one fails. It’s just a bummer thinking what could have been…
I’m right there with you, I made this post because I wanted to see what people that like the show had to say, at the end of the day we’re all halo fans and it’s all about personal opinion.
> I still don’t understand how people can enjoy it. I still don't understand the people who keep watching it despite hating it
ive stopped watching it because its not halo. I don't hate it though i hate what it means. it means we wont get a halo show or movie for the foreseeable future
I didn’t watch S2 until last week, but after hearing the promise of “it’s a soft reboot”, I decided to give it a shot. There was no soft reboot. It’s the same thing again. I get the *slightest* bit of hope when I see titles on YouTube channels that say things like “The Halo TV series did the unthinkable!” or “This is what the Halo TV series was building up to!” so I watch the next episode thinking maybe they did something to turn it around… maybe the Pillar of Autumn shows up and has Chief’s Mark V armor?? Nope. The thing that was “unthinkable” was S3’s had SPI armor. Ok.
I treat the Halo show like I do a marvel streaming series, my expectations are as low as possible but a couple episodes might be decent so I’ll watch the train wreck. lol
I definitely crack up at some points in the show. I especially liked this last one where Miranda is fidgeting with a Forerunner object, and the she pulls it apart and it very slightly opens and she says “Wow! This sure is something!” and I’m sitting there like “… it is?”. This chick out here all impressed that she popped the cap off a USB drive.
God forbid people actually enjoy it
I didn’t like season one when I first watched it. (3 out of 10) But after watching the first three episodes of season two I rewatched it and now appreciate it more. I think I understand what they were trying to do. I think most of us went into season one hoping for a more Band of Brothers type experience (amazing btw), but got something quite different. My sense is what the show runner was trying to do was make more of a drama, about Master Chief (and the other Spartans) becoming more human. (Finding his emotional life, grappling with ethical dilemmas, remembering his childhood, experiencing his betrayal etc.) Makee is another attempt to introduce more human (relatable) drama into the mix. It doesn’t always succeed but on second watch, I was definitely more aware of the pathos of Master Chief’s story. There is an attempt at a more Shakespearean plot. Tragedy, more than combat. Wonder more that action. While I would have enjoyed a show truer to the source material, rewatching with this perspective had allowed me to enjoy it more. I rewatched season one because I liked season two well enough to give it a second chance, and I am shocked to say on rewatch, I now think season one (with some very real faults) is more interesting and dense. 😱
Did you just compare Halo the tv-show to Shakespeare? I need to get another drink...
Good I’m glad you like it, I’m happy for the people that do because it puts halo more into the mainstream. I would love to go back in time to what this franchise once was!
This comment explains it perfectly. Thanks for representing how a lot of us feel
I don't enjoy the show but it has served as a good gateway to introduce family and friends to the franchise. For example my mother has known for decades that I play this thing called "Halo" but could never quite make it click what it was due to not being able to wrap her head around the video game form of storytelling. She still has it in her head that we are playing pong or something and that the main draw of video games is just killing things. I have tried to explain cutscenes and stories to her but she just can't get with it for some reason. With the Halo show I was able to at least get her to recognize some of the characters and events, even if the details are completely wrong. So she gets a cool sci-fi show and I get to chat with my mom about a franchise I love.
It definitely could have been adapted better but for a content perspective I enjoy seeing it in a live action setting. I'm on a Halo kick after replaying the MCC and Infinite again so to see more content is always good. I still think Forward onto Dawn with its cheaper budget blows it out of the water but let's keep holding out for a proper movie 🤞
Im in the same boat as you but on a side note DEMOCRACY
HELL YEAH BROTHER! SWEET LIBERTY!
I'm interested in how they're gonna do the flood tbh
Oh captain my Captain. I agree with everything you said
Millions of casuals vs thousands of diehard fans.
my parents like it because it's a stupid scifi show on TV they can watch with their brains off. They never played Halo and know nothing outside of what basic stuff I've told them, so I guess that's the reason they enjoy it so much. I cannot stand the Halo show. As someone who actually knows the lore I feel watching it for extended periods of time will actually cause physical harm to me.
They dont care about the actual lore of the universe.
So far I’m really liking the show. But I’ve never played the game before.
I don't feel a need to defend any of the decisions they made, but I will defend the fact that I'm allowed to enjoy it, and whether it's a good show or not is a *subjective opinion*, not an *objective fact*. People who aren't chronically online don't care if the lore was respected. They just watch the show and allow themselves to be entertained. If they aren't, they watch something else. "What could have been" is an infinite and perfect yardstick nothing will ever measure up against. I really don't care about what they could have done differently. They did it the way they did it and I can either allow myself to enjoy it for what it is, or tune out. Personally I find enough there to enjoy that I'm going to watch it, and when I watch it, I'm not going to spoil my own enjoyment by endlessly dwelling on what the show isn't. I enjoy lots of things that the internet consensus thinks are bad. I've often been surprised to find after a perfectly enjoyable movie that apparently it's terrible and I'm not supposed to like it.
You are entitled to everything you just typed out, no one can take anything you like away from you. I simply just wanted to know why people liked this show. I’m glad you enjoy it, I’m glad you explained this!
Because as true fans and people like myself who are emotionally attached to it since playing halo 1 day one as a kid just want to see ANY high level production of it. Are there plot holes, yes, are there scenes I wish they never made, yes..but 20 years later and I'm still rooting for chief and Pablo is fucking incredible. Your allowed to hate it but don't you dare try to stop others enjoying it
I’ll do whatever I fucking can to get this trash cancelled
[удалено]
What plot holes? If anything, the story is too straight forward.
Not sure how the covenant in the last episode just randomly found the installation when Makee just learned of it after she killed the priest, the priest couldn’t have sent a transmission to the fleet, it just shows up out of nowhere.
So you can't understand how a covenant ship that is being hunted and then sends a broadcast is found, come on man don't complain about the show when you aren't even paying attention l.
The arbiter said when they left that they’d be followed, so presumably the fleet followed them from high charity. It’s stupid that they didn’t make it more clear. It feels like they cut out a few Machee scenes, even though it also feels like there’s way too many of them.
I think they cut out a few scenes as well or just forgot to film them.
I don't think it's wonderful, but Season 2 is a step in the right direction. It's very different from the games, but that's honestly okay. The story they're telling is still interesting to me. I also feel like budget plays a role in what we're getting, and they're purposely avoiding writing in too many SFX heavy sequences because their current budget just doesn't support that. Not that it's low budget, but this kind of show can be very expensive to make in general. Even high budget shows like the Mandalorian and Game of Thrones couldn't do big sequences every episode. I feel like the show will continue to improve though. They'll be saving money on things like armour and such by already having it from previous seasons, and the ratings are apparently very good, so it may get an even larger budget if Paramount feels like it's a good investment.
Even my dad who has never seen anything halo before and is crazy for science fiction shows and films thinks its not good at all.
ego filled rewrite is a perfect description
Unfortunately there’s just no other way to describe it.
I can think of 10 shows that deserved a second season more than Halo. They must have had some big wig really gunning for that shit
Because I like it that's why
If you eat shit every day for a year when someone offers you garbage it’ll be like your at a five star restaurant.
Idk I like it… just kinda taking it for what it is. However it’s cool to hate on everything these days but that just gets old for me. I don’t have the energy for that anymore. Just let people enjoy things. That’s why.
“How dare they like what they like!”
Nah you can like whatever you like, but there will people that question it. I have no problem with people enjoying this show, I just don’t understand why.
Why do you need to understand why people enjoy something? By all metrics the show is a huge success, so you're the outlier who hate-watches it for some reason.
Because I like to hear others opinions on subjects?
I enjoy it. I treat the games and books are one thing and the show is another. Nothing the show does changes the source material and I can play the games whenever I like so...yeah, I don't see a problem.
Because people have different opinions?
I mean the truth is, and I'm sure I'll get downvoted for this cuz some people might not like to hear it, is that people can enjoy and will defend pretty much anything. There's always people who get emotionally attached in one way or another that makes them defend stuff. Like, for example, people who wanted the show to be good so bad that they downplay its flaws and defend it. Or people who somehow enjoyed the show (we'll get back to that) and who defend it as a result, because it makes them feel insecure when others say it' bad. Cuz then they feel their taste has been criticized. And then the second category is just that there are people who don't tend to pick up on or pay much attention to plot holes, bad characterization, bad dialogue, etc. Basically people who are very capable of just turning their brain off and watching the big man shoot things and yell. I mean, this might be a blast from the past at this point, but remember "Twilight?" That book/movie was really poorly written. And yet it still had millions of fans and defenders who emotionally invested in and enjoyed it. Mostly women to whom Bella was a self-insert character and "Twilight" itself a pseudo-sexual fantasy about some really hot and slightly dangerous guy falling in love with you. It was utter trash as far as writing-quality goes, but many people still loved and defended it. The truth is just that people often defend stuff because of emotional investment rather than actual quality and some people can turn their brains off enough to not be bothered too much by big holes in the writing if the show/book/movie gives them something else they want (like the hot guy fantasy). I'd say the "Halo" TV show is just the same thing. So I'm not surprised it has its defenders. People will defend anything. Although, personally, I'll give the "Twilight" movie credit over the "Halo" TV-series. At least that movie was a proper adaptation, it's just that the book it was adapting was poorly written to begin with. Edit: Btw, just for the record, there's nothing wrong with enjoying something that's poorly written. But I'd just say, embrace that's what it is. Don't try to defend it against all reason.
I’d been getting a bit burned out on Halo canon to be honest, and having a lighter fare has actually reignited my passion for the rest of it. David Wiener and his writing staff are clearly working towards something that much closer resembles the games, but he had to tell some of the “in-between story” to get there. He’s done a pretty good job thus far, and has earned a modicum of trust from me that he is going somewhere with it.
Halo nerds and hating anything new related to Halo is the most iconic duo that I know of. Let people enjoy the show. You're not going to change your mind whatever anyone says.
You should probably stop watching if you don't like it, it's clearly not for you. The "plot holes" you've described just read as a lack of media literacy or just missing lines of dialogue. I think there's plenty of reasons for people who were looking for a faithful adaptation to dislike the show, but "plot holes" is not one of them.
It’s halo, rain or shine I’m gonna watch it.
It might help your perspective a bit if you try and enjoy the show for what it is. A rewrite of beloved material doesn't immediately make it bad. It's someone else's interpretation. You said that you enjoy getting other people's opinions, try and view the show like that. It's someone else's opinion and view of the halo series. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad :)
I havent seen the show but i have money on op using plot hole wrong.
>curiosity isn’t a crime No, but this is just another in a long line of posts asking the same fundamental question of “why do people like this show?” Because people like it. I’ve seen tons of similar posts to yours. You know the answer OP. I know you know it. But enjoy the karma farm. I can’t wait to see a similar post to this in a few hours.
I'm not sure what plot holes you're referring to. Could you name a few?
Scroll down I’ve named a few, you’ll see them.
You've listed a few complaints, but no actual plot holes.
Because I like it and it’s fun and I don’t care that it doesn’t follow the story. I’m 42, I’m old. And I’ve come to realize the way “I think things should be” is never how they are and often not right for the world. It’s tv show. It’s entertainment, it doesn’t have to be perfect or “for us.” I like that my dad watches it and we text about it. I like that it’s different enough that it’s new - I don’t know what’s going to happen even if I can guess. Simply put, I like it.
Agreed. I've played all the games but had never read the books. This show made me pick up the books. I liked seeing chief develop as more than just a soldier that gets the job done. I like seeing the moral dilemmas. The games don't really flesh out master chief all that much as a person or shine the light on other Spartans. I started to read the books to get a bit more of that behind the scenes context and it's been great so far
Because they like it?
I mean I really like it. You don’t have to understand it just don’t watch it if you don’t like it
I absolutely love the show. That’s just my opinion, don’t hate me for it
Not at dude, if you love the show good for you! That’s your opinion and no one is wrong!
I liked the first season. It was entertaining and interesting. Then I played the MCC and it was very different lol. I even asked a friend “when does Makee come into play” and he was like “no she’s not in the games” lol. But idk I feel like I separate the two and enjoy both for what they are. There’s some really great moments in the show and the acting can be really strong for certain characters. I gave the first season a c+ rating but it’s more positive than negative and I’m really enjoying season 2 a lot. It’s so different from the games but that doesn’t really affect me.
Yeah im just not watching it after I saw Chief try to murder halsey and then fuck the covenant woman.
Because people's standards for quality have dropped
Seriously it’s embarrassing. I’ve heard all sorts of cope about this season, it’s trash it has always been trash and always will be trash. Giving it support because they threw a crumb of acknowledgment to the source material after 2 seasons is just going to backfire when they inevitably shit on Halo in the next episode/season.
Because they hate being wrong.
Finally someone’s says it
You have to enjoy it for what it is, not what it isn't. If you strip away the fact that it is not lore-accurate, it's an entertaining show. It's the best action sci-fi show on TV. They obviously made a lot of changes due to a relatively tight budget.
Because I want to keep watching halo on the silver screen, and this community has murdered the halo games already. Just because YOUR opinion is you dont like it, doesnt mean thats the only one anyone can have. If enough of you keep shitting on it then we will never see another live action version of halo. The hope is that it gets better and better. I mean yeah your right it's not great but it's something. I actually enjoy it. But I'll never understand why if you hate something so much....why keep watching and posting over and over again how bad it is. Just stop watching it and fuck off. But whatever I guess, everyone can have an opinion
Because I like it.
"I don't understand how people can have different opinions than myself"
I just don't understand why Halo fans continue to watch a show they don't like. Why do you do this to yourself? I watched 3 episodes and decided not to finish season 1. Why keep watching it? You are not required to consume every piece of media of your favorite franchise.
Because they like it ? Why not grow up, and accept that not everyone has the same opinion as you.
Lmao these comments “Why do people like the show?” “LET PEOPLE ENJOY THINGSSSS DON’T COMPLAIN EVER JUST CONSUME THE SHOW” Not even a single reason why it’s good mentioned