Season 2 Episode 4 – A covenant assault threatens humanity’s most important stronghold; John, Perez and Silver Team fight an overwhelming enemy; Adm. Keyes rallies the UNSC forces to make a stand; Halsey and Soren must work together to escape captivity.
Please note, our reviews are based on likes and dislikes. These contain significant spoilers. If you haven’t already watched the episode, we recommend that you click off the article and come back once you have watched the episode. Enjoy!
What I Liked
1. The destruction of Reach now begins. Immediately into the episode, we see explosions from almost every angle, even blasting Chief a few feet forward. We know it’s been building for this, and I am hopefully ready for some spectacular action this episode.
2. I’m glad Chief is putting Perez in her place because she’s effectively a nightmare at times. I understand it to a degree but there’s more at stake.
3. The first action sequence is now as John fights against multiple invisible aliens. This is just so damn cool. It’s mostly just effortless at times when the Chief fights and that’s what makes it so incredibly entertaining.
4. Chief links up with Riz in a street with multiple soldiers trying to fight back. We get one incredible sequence of them pushing through and fighting together. Danilo is unfortunately killed as a result and it’s so sad. However, you don’t even get a chance to take it in as the fight continues. Louis decides to move forward against the Covenant to give Riz a chance to move back. This is just brilliant.
5. You can’t tell me this isn’t phenomenal action? It feels like a proper last-stand moment you’d see in a finale. I honestly just wish Chief had his armor which is a point I did make in my dislikes. Still though, incredible action.
6. The Admiral dies in what was one hell of an admirable death that’s for sure. I am gutted that he’s been killed off as I really enjoyed his character. I guess when he did that speech it was always going to happen.
7. MASTER CHIEF WITH THE DAMN ENERGY SWORD. Man, it didn’t last long but was still an epic moment. I hope this isn’t the last time we see him with that.
What I Disliked
1. I’m disappointed the Spartans don’t have their suits. This has been an incredible action-packed episode but I was really hoping for a final action sequence with them suited up. We’ve had the action without the suits but I think we needed a sequence at the very least with the suits. They’re just as iconic as the rest of the Halo lore.
2. The Admiral’s death was sad but Vannak dying the way he did was pathetic. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense from a Spartan perspective considering he still had a ranged weapon. That section felt lazy.
Favorite Moment
The Admiral makes one hell of a speech to the units left including the Master Chief. It’s the type of speech to send goosebumps up your arms. Just beautiful. I love a good speech in a show or movie, especially when it’s so damn inspiring.
Standout Character
I am going to give it to Admiral Jacob Keyes here. What a man. The way he stood up to Ackerson when he found out Reach was going to fall, his speech, his death – it was all just so good. I am devastated that this is it now because he’s been a character I’ve really liked since the beginning.
Verdict
Definitely one of the best episodes in the series to date. There are still some issues though and I feel like they should’ve got to the Spartan armor at least. We see complaints about the helmet all the time then we get this high-action-packed episode and we don’t see one bit of armour. I just feel like that let it down and Vannak’s death. If you take those 2 out, it’s a perfect episode.
Rating 9.4/10
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The Review
Story - 9
Action - 10
Characters - 9
Entertainment - 10
Quality - 9
9.4
Amazing
Definitely one of the best episodes in the series to date. There are still some issues though and I feel like they should've got to the Spartan armor at least. We see complaints about the helmet all the time then we get this high-action-packed episode and we don't see one bit of armour. I just feel like that let it down and Vannak's death. If you take those 2 out, it's a perfect episode.