The Futility of War
Thermopylae is best known as the historic battle in 480 BC, where a small group of Spartan warriors held off an overwhelming Persian force for a period of time before ultimately succumbing and being defeated.
In HALO Season 2 Episode 7, the parallels are easily drawn as the UNSC deploys the fledgling Spartan-III forces against the stronger, faster, and more ruthless Covenant fleet.
HALO Season 2. Photo Credit: Adrienn Szabo/Paramount+.
It isn’t a fair comparison, though. The Spartans of old were trained, and seasoned soldiers prepared to lay down their lives, expecting to die in every battle they engaged in.
The UNSC’s baby battalion of Spartan-IIIs has had nothing but simulations to train on because the Covenant tends to annihilate opponents in encounters.
RELATED: Read all of our HALO recaps here!
Perez (Cristina Rodlo) even called Kai (Kate Kennedy) on the authenticity of the simulations on HALO Season 2 Episode 6, “Onyx,” feedback Kai passed up to Ackerson (Joseph Morgan), in turn.
Halo Season 2 — Photo Credit: Adrienn Szabo/Paramount+
Too Little Too Late
Speaking of Ackerson, we don’t really get a human side to him until he’s juxtaposed with Parangosky (Shabana Azmi). By then, is there any chance for redemption?
In the trailer below, we see him question Parangosky’s willingness to use the Spartan-IIIs as Covenant fodder. Could he truly regret the loss of life after turning his back on the entire planet of Reach?
RELATED: TV Review: HALO Season 2
Making Master Chief Whole Again
One of the elements that makes this episode my stand-out favorite of the entire season is how John (Pablo Schreiber) gets both Kai and his armor back.
Yes, John-117 is a super soldier, augmented by Halsey’s (Natascha McElhone) Spartan program and trained to be the UNSC’s greatest weapon. Yes, he’s also something more, an individual genetically coded to access the Halo.
But he isn’t Master Chief without his armor and without Silver Team. Now that he’s got his armor and Kai’s got his back, it’s game on.
Divided Loyalties
This penultimate episode also brings John back together with Makee (Charlie Murphy). They continue to bicker about the purpose of the Halo and whether the Covenant or humanity deserves the power it holds.
RELATED: Read our recap of HALO Season 2 Episode 6, “Onyx”
Meanwhile, down below the surface of Onyx, Halsey and Kwan (Yerin Ha) confront Miranda (Olive Gray).
HALO Season 2 — Photo Credit: Adrienn Szabo/Paramount+
What will they discover together? How will it affect the Covenant War? How does Kwan’s vision factor into all of this?
For those steeped in the mythos of the HALO world, “Thermopylae” is an ambitious and satisfying attempt to do homage to the layers of conflict facing humanity.
Strap in, folks. This is going to be rough, but SO worth the ride.
Check out the trailer below before jumping into this exciting chapter, which promises shocking surprises and intriguing developments that will be resolved in the finale.
HALO streams on Thursdays exclusively on Paramount+.
