We rarely comment on individual reviews but when we saw the Washington Post publish one with a title that Halo's latest episode finally delivers on the show's promise, that struck a chord.

Early reviews for the series were mixed and our impression of the first two episodes was that the show is watchable but not stellar.

Disappointing for such a big budget production. In particular dialog and supporting performances.

Interestingly this episode review is written by a Halo player who is intimately familiar with the story. 

We aren't at all. Completely new to the franchise. But share their impression of it having improved remarkably.

There is still occasionally cringe-inducing dialog.

Eg. in this most recent episode one of the senior military characters instructs the control room to search a particular region for planets capable of supporting life for an enemy species.

Find me a planet that can support Covenant life!

Fair enough, right? But then he follows it up with

We're looking for a Goldilocks here, people!

I want to see it now!

That's just embarassing.

Regular watchers of sci-fi would know what a Goldilocks planet is - one in that just hot enough but not too hot region to allow for liquid water.

The Halo writers room obviously felt that the show needed more sci-fi terminology but either didn't know or care about its believable use.

What we wanted to see after he uttered that was control room staff rolling their eyes at each other.

Though with the exception of early episodes, moments like this are rare.

The story is very strong and dialog generally in the same vicinity.

Halo is streaming exclusively on Paramount+ with three remaining episodes in this first season. It was renewed for a second season ahead of its premiere.

[ Main Image: Danny Sapani in Halo. Credit: Paramount via IMDb.com. ]

References

Del Rosario, Alexandra (February 15, 2022). ‘Halo’ Renewed For Season 2 By Paramount+. Deadline.

Forever Dreaming Transcripts (April 28, 2022). Halo 01x06 - Solace.

Park, Gene (April 28, 2022). The latest ‘Halo’ episodes deliver on the show’s initial promise. The Washington Post.

Science on a Sphere. Earth, our Goldilocks Planet. US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (viewed April 30, 2022)