Halo Season 1 (Complete) | TV Series

Master Chief battles Covenant forces, uncovering secrets of his past and the Halo ring.

Review

Halo Season 1 takes the iconic Xbox franchise into live-action territory with ambitious swings and uneven results across its nine episodes. Pablo Schreiber stars as Master Chief, John-117, a stoic super-soldier leading humanity’s fight against the alien Covenant in the 26th century. Stripped of his helmet more than fans might expect, Schreiber brings surprising depth to the Spartan, especially as John grapples with fragmented memories triggered by a mysterious artifact tied to the Halo ring. The action delivers—plasma firefights and Warthog chases impress—but the pacing falters with a subplot-heavy middle, including a divisive human-Covenant liaison, Makee (Charlie Murphy), and a civilian side story on Madrigal that drags.

Visually, it’s a feast: Covenant Elites and Spartans shine, though some CGI wobbles under scrutiny. Natascha McElhone’s Dr. Halsey is a cold, calculating highlight, but the show’s divergence from game canon—like Chief’s romance and helmet-off moments—split fans. It’s a bold reimagining that prioritizes character over lore fidelity, offering enough thrills to hook newcomers while leaving diehards wanting tighter ties to the source. Season 2 promises refinement, but this debut is a solid, if flawed, launch.