The Paramount+ show Halo has wrapped up its first season with a finale titled “Transcendence,” which brought more confusion than resolution for many viewers. For fans familiar with the games, the season’s conclusion may come across as unsatisfying, especially since the Halo ring itself remains an elusive target.
It remains elusive for both the alien Covenant and the human-led UNSC after nine episodes. Even though many familiar storylines from the two-decade-old video game franchise remain untouched, it’s still possible to reflect on some pressing questions raised by the Halo season finale.
Covenant visions and cryptic portals leave viewers guessing (Photo: Halo/Bungie and WingNut Interactive)Will Master Chief Ever Find the Halo Ring?
By the time the season reached its halfway mark, it became obvious that the iconic Halo rings wouldn’t be the main focus of this first outing. The story instead led the characters through several different discoveries, as they worked toward unlocking the portal that’s believed to lead to the prophesied ringworld.
Presently, each major character holds a different piece of the puzzle — Master Chief possesses the artifact split into two parts, which can point the way, while Kwan believes there’s a link between the portal on her home planet and the Halo ring.
But then, the show presents the Halo ring not just as a physical destination but also as a sort of spiritual idea. The Covenant treats the ring like a religious key that can project them to a higher form of being or assure them victory in war.
For Master Chief, the visions of the ring seem to carry deep meaning, suggesting that he sees it as a place tied to his own identity and purpose. Eventually, it is expected that Master Chief will reach the actual ring, especially since it is such a major part of the franchise’s storyline.
However, with the series inserting so many new elements and diversions, there’s no telling when anyone might reach a real Halo, outside of the symbolic visions we’ve seen so far.
What Happened When Chief and Cortana Merged?
What Master Chief did at the climax of the season was something he had hoped to avoid. Faced with overwhelming odds during a Covenant assault and unable to interact with the alien relics, he allowed Cortana to take control of his body to ensure survival.
This drastic move aligned with Dr. Halsey’s original vision, where Cortana would one day override the Spartan’s human instincts to create the perfect combat tool.
Even though Master Chief now considers Cortana an ally, the decision is still a bitter one for someone only just beginning to discover his individuality and autonomy.
The question now is what the merger truly means. Neither the viewers nor the characters have any clear understanding yet. Master Chief hasn’t spoken since the fusion. If he does speak, will it be his voice or Cortana’s? Science fiction logic could find a way to separate them again.
And since Halsey — the creator of this very technology — is still alive, she might know how to reverse the process if it ever becomes necessary.
What Is Halsey’s Long-Term Plan?
Dr. Halsey is currently on the run. She pulled off an escape from the UNSC by using a flash clone, the same tactic she used years ago to abduct the Spartan candidates from their families. While she’s now a fugitive, it’s evident that she still has access to funding, loyal followers, and several hidden objectives.
Her obsession with creating an ideal version of humanity that operates without emotional influence hints at her future role as a major threat still chasing after the supposed power of the Halo ring. It’s not entirely clear whether the Covenant will play any role in her plans going forward.
Her willingness to betray the UNSC to advance her definition of salvation might put her in a position where the Insurrectionists — like Kwan and her allies — see her as someone who could be manipulated for their own goals.
Are the Prophets Still Alive?
The Covenant’s top leaders are still very much around and seem ready to deploy their military forces at any time. However, they’ve now lost their human asset needed to activate the artifacts — which is why they had wanted to keep Master Chief alive.
A finale that teases more than it delivers (Photo: Halo/Bungie and WingNut Interactive)Even though Cortana cleared a path for the Spartans to get away, her attack didn’t touch the Prophets. So, they will be returning in the next chapter. What’s changed though is that we no longer have a direct Covenant character through which the audience can see their side of things. On that note…
Could Makee’s Death Make Way for the Arbiter?
Because of Makee’s position as a Covenant loyalist, many fans have likened her to the Arbiter — the second major playable character introduced in Halo 2. His story gave players a fresh view of the Covenant’s internal politics and showed how his title was more punishment than honor.
Eventually, the Arbiter teams up with Master Chief, forming one of the earliest human-alien partnerships in the franchise. Is it possible that the second season will borrow this character’s story from the games? Since the Arbiter is a fan favorite, his appearance would attract attention.
Still, the way the series has handled the game lore so far suggests it may not be ready to dive deep into established plotlines. Even so, if the show wants to provide another alien character viewpoint after losing Makee, the Arbiter would be a strong replacement.
Will Halo Season 2 Happen?
The next season is already locked in. Although reactions to season one were mixed, the platform has confirmed that the live-action military science fiction show will return for another round.
David Wiener, who previously worked on Brave New World, is stepping in as the new showrunner and executive producer, taking over from Steven Kane and Kyle Killen to shape the next phase of Master Chief and Cortana’s journey on television.
