Paramount’s show based (somewhat) on the iconic video games series of the same name, Halo, was a smash hit for their streaming service last year, as the most-watched series on Paramount+ and the most-criticized series on Paramount+ as well.
The adaptation follows the legendary Spartan super soldier John (Pablo Schreiber in the show), A.K.A. The Master Chief: the green, mean, alien-slaughtering machine as he travels the galaxy and, you know, slaughters aliens. At least, that’s what fans were expecting, based on the games.
Paramount’s Halo disappointed more than a few as the first season progressed, being filled with inconsequential side-plots, little and underwhelming action, and confusing canon changes. The show did not fulfill any of its roles as a sci-fi show, an action show, or even a Halo show.
Though some fans did appreciate aspects of the adaptation, such as humanizing John and the Spartans instead of keeping them the emotionless killing machines they are in the games, season one ultimately disappointed fans and critics.
One of the biggest disappointments was the absence of Thel ‘Vadam (Keith David in the games), A.K.A. The Arbiter, the powerful ally and close friend of the Chief, who both formed one of the most famous duos in video game history.
As we know a second season is already filming, we know there is still hope for the series to get back on track. Here’s why the Arbiter should appear in season two of Halo.
Arbiter and Chief Were Allies and Friends
Before they were friends, Arbiter and Chief were enemies during the Covenant-Human War. As Thel led the Covenant’s genocidal war against Humanity, the Chief was the most powerful threat to the Covenant. They first fought against each other at the Halo ring installation in the first Halo, which the Chief blew up and left Thel to return empty-handed and shamed.
Thel was offered redemption by the High Prophets and the title of Arbiter, the leader of all the Sangheili clans, and returned to fight in Halo 2. But Arbiter Thel saw through the lies of the Prophets and caused a schism in the Covenant, leaving with many others to aid Humanity.
When Chief and Arbiter meet again at the beginning of Halo 3, Chief takes a pistol to the Arbiter’s multi-mandible mouth and nearly blows his head open before discovering they are on the same side. They fought side by side through Covenant, Flood, and hell to end the decades of war.
They became friends under fire, and the Arbiter slayed the last High Prophet, bringing (relative) peace to the galaxy. The Arbiter’s part in the story of Halo is as undeniable as the Master Chief’s and should be included by Paramount if they want to make a Halo show.
The Arbiter’s Appearance Will Set the Show on Track
The failure of Paramount’s Halo to resonate with fans or appeal to general audiences was only magnified by HBO’s The Last of Us. This video game adaptation performed incredibly well with fans and critics and was a smash hit in every way.
The Last of Us was appealing to fans and non-fans, showing how to get a video game show done right – and that’s by staying true to the source material when Paramount only kept the names for Halo and nothing else.
Though we know he and Chief had a history together before, the Arbiter didn’t appear until Halo 2, and his appearance in the second season of Paramount’s Halo would set the show back on track and align with the canon of the games.
It would instill hope for fans to see the iconic badass duo join together and save the series alongside the galaxy, and make it easier for the story of the show to return to the story of the games.
Paramount’s Halo showrunners admitted they “didn’t look to the games” when creating the show. Though execs have already stated that they’re listening to the positive and negative feedback on Halo, paying attention to The Last of Us, and looking to beat the very high bar set by HBO.
The way to solve all the biggest problems of the series is to look back to the games when moving forward with the Chief’s story, which includes the Arbiter almost every step of the way.
