Episode 5 begins with another flash back to young John on the planet Eridanus II.
This prologue is rife with new bits of information to absorb so sit back and take it all in. I needed a second viewing to make sure I got it all right… Dr Halsey is trying to work out how to remove the artifact the Master Chief found in the last episode and is calling in the UNSC to build up a temporary base to work out of.
This episode begins with a bit of a slow burn again, so don’t expect explosive action out of the gates. Kwan and Sorren are still on Madrigal trying to get to the off-world transport ship. The Covenant are also on Madrigal this time with Makee the Blessed One, trying to piece together where the artifact has been taken and if they can locate the other piece that Master Chief and the USNC have. The most interesting part early on is some of the exchanges early on between the Spartans. Kai having removed her implant after seeing Master Chief do it is experiencing more and more of the world around her and asking questions of her fellow Spartans and the relationship between Master Chief and Cortana is coming to the forefront. There is so much going on within the middle of the episode but highlighting it will spoil too much. The entire episode brings all of the main characters of the UNSC to the dig site for the second artifact and we start to learn where they belong within the story and much more of who they are as a character. 
The episode builds to some of the best action in the series so far, and some of the coolest set pieces I have seen on screen in some time. The Master Chief shows us exactly why he is the tip of the UNSC spear and if you have been wanting more fan service then look no further. The effects have come a long way from the opening scene of the series and show a lot more from the Halo world. Just what they show you will have to watch and see for yourself.
One of the biggest issues with bringing a video game character to the screen is the disconnect from the story you experience. In a game you are literally connected to a character via your hands, you are that character. This is hard to convert to screen because you are not as invested in it. Halo is doing a good job in building up these characters to be more than what we know. It’s slowing the pace of the show but it is beginning to look like it will pay off. 
Episode 5 hits a good balance in story build and play befitting the halfway point of this series. Where it goes from here is anyone’s guess with plenty to build on and some new information about the character’s origins to try and piece together.
My one small insignificant smudge on the episode is the Kwan and Sorren storyline. While thankfully taking a back seat in this episode I am struggling to see where it will fit into the story as a whole. It could have very easily reached a peak and gone many ways after Ep 4. I just hope they don’t drag it out for filler. Luckily, we only have another week to find out more.
