REVIEW: ‘Halo’ Season 2 Episode 6 — “Onyx”

The last episode of Halo Season 2 ended with what looked like a stinging betrayal. Kai is at Ackerson’s side, looking out onto the UNSC troops she’s about to command. The image against Vannak’s funeral, which was a main focus of Episode 5, is stark. Now, in Halo Season 2 Episode 6, “Onyx,” everything is coming to a head. John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) is seeking retribution for his brother Vannak-134 (Bentley Kalu). Kai-125 (Kate Kennedy) is a leader in his stead for a military that threw her team away.

In Halo Season 2 Episode 6, John seeks revenge on a secret ONI planet. Perez (Cristina Rodlo) trains to become a Spartan and blows holes in the training along the way. Kai is torn between her Spartan code and her loyalty to Master Chief. Manipulated by Ackerson, Kai is on the edge of fully turning her back on the Silver Team as a fabricated connection between John and the Covenant is pushed. At the same time, Makee (Charlie Murphy) turns to Cortana (Christina Bennington) for help in her search for the Halo and finds a connection with John one more time.

Perez is back on duty and following Kai’s command. John is at Onyx and attempting to save Soren’s son. Kwan Ha (Yerin Ha) and Halsey (Natascha McElhone) are searching for another answer to their problems. To put it simply, if there is an ensemble character still around in the series, they get a piece of the episode’s narrative pie. This paragraph I just wrote is scattered, but so is the episode.

To start though, the relationship between Kai and James Ackerson (Joseph Morgan) is volatile. Kai’s choice to leave Reach wasn’t out of a quest for power. It was an act of betrayal, but one that was done unwillingly. She runs simulations trying to fight for Reach, where she should have been. Kai feels guilty, and Ackerson exploits that guilt. He’s drawing lines between Makee and John that don’t exist to build armor around himself. Kai still has faith in the UNSC, which Ackerson uses to control her.

This relation makes Kate Kennedy and Joseph Morgan the standouts of the episode. Their back and forth is fantastic to watch with the knowledge you have as an audience member. You can see where Kai is vulnerable and when Ackerson decides to strike that nerve. Their scenes are fascinating and add depth to the episode.

Makee also appears in this episode as the Covenant plans its next moves. Having saved John during the Fall of Reach, Makee is threatened by the Covenant and works with Cortana to find the last remaining artifact. The Covenant must make it to the Halo, and that’s the only reason she’s still alive. But Makee’s focus in this episode is the least interesting. It’s Cortana who makes a splash. We get to see humanity in Cortana, and we get to see her reunite of her own accord with Master Chief.

Halo Season 2 Episode 6 feels lacking. After a stellar season of well-executed drama and action, this one doesn’t feel like a high. The episode becomes disjointed by attempting to show the audience where every ensemble cast member has ended up. Last season’s largest fault was its inability to focus on one central story. I thought this season had turned that corner, but here, the focus is scattered across everyone across Onyx. Soren and Laera (Fiona O’Shaughnessy), Makee, Kai, Kwan Ha, Cortana, Halsey, Perez, the ensemble cast has been fantastic over the season but in Halo Season 2 Episode 6 everything is jumbled.

Overall, Halo Season 2 Episode 6 tries to tie up every loose end, but in doing so, it loses what has made this season a success. There is emotion in this episode, but you never sit in it. The action is there, but then it quickly moves on. It is a mixed bag overall, but even with its issues, there is tension and excitement as the series closes in on its Season 2 finale. Master Chief has Cortana again, and Kai has learned the truth about Ackerson. With that, there is enough to ensure the finale is exceptionally focused. Halo Season 2 just needs to stick the landing.

Halo Season 2 Episode 6 is streaming now on Paramount+, with the season finale releasing next Thursday.