In another faux pas, the producers of Halo: The Series released images from the upcoming season 2 of Halo: The Series with Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief in a “Game of Thrones” pose, sitting like the all-conquering barbarian Conan on a throne-like chair.
To add insult to injury, the released images are perpetuating the previous controversy that erupted when the producers decided to reveal Master Chief’s face. About the face reveal, actor Pablo Schreiber, portraying Master Chief, said previously: “It was very important early on that the helmet comes off, you see the face, and you disassociate your version of who you believe the Chief was. Rather than being co-creator of the experience as you go along and believing that you’re Chief, we’re now inviting you to sit back on the couch and watch Chief start to discover elements of himself.” It appears that neither Schreiber nor the producers Kyle Killen and Steven Kane have ever played the popular video game Halo, and Halo: The Series completely misses the essence of Master Chief, and what made Master Chief such an iconic character.
The backstory of the Master Chief is unveiled in the 2001 novel, The Fall of Reach. Born as “John” in the year 2511, he was taken from the human colony world of Eridanus during his childhood and drafted into the SPARTAN-II super-soldier project by the United Nations Space Command (UNSC). Demonstrating innate leadership qualities, Master Chief guides his peers through eight years of rigorous training and perilous physical enhancements. As the Covenant, a coalition of alien races, emerges intending to eradicate humanity, the Spartans, despite their effectiveness, find themselves outnumbered, unable to shift the tide in favour of the UNSC.
Game designer and author Daddy Warpig picked up on this and tweeted:
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The iconic Master Chief of the Halo video game series symbolizes resilience, strength, and mystery. The producers of Halo: The Series with Pablo Schreiber completely ignored that Master Chief always wears his helmet, a vital component of his powered armor known as the MJOLNIR, and that was a feature that contributed to his enigmatic persona. Throughout the Halo franchise, Master Chief is rarely seen without his helmet, and there are compelling reasons why this should remain the case. The helmet is not merely a piece of protective gear; it is an integral part of Master Chief‘s identity. Maintaining the anonymity of the character has allowed players to project themselves onto the iconic hero. This anonymity amplified Master Chief being an unstoppable force, a super-soldier whose identity is secondary to the mission at hand.
Master Chief underwent intense physical and mental augmentations to become the ultimate warrior. His transformation into a faceless, silent guardian reflected the toll of the Spartan program on the individual reinforcing the theme of sacrifices made for the greater good. Master Chief’s helmet contributed to the air of mystery surrounding him. Unmasking Master Chief demystifies the character and diminishes the intrigue and allure that have captivated players for years. The unknown aspects of his identity fueled speculation and fan theories, adding an extra layer of depth to the Halo universe.
What do you think about this uncharacteristic portrayal? Leave a comment!
More proof that the people behind this show, hate the Halo franchise.
Yep, and they have absolutely no creativity if they can’t manage to portray an enigmatic character without showing his face