Summary

• Halo fans are divided over a controversial sex scene in the TV adaptation, as it doesn't align with the tone of the original franchise.
• Makee is a new human character created specifically for the Halo TV show and is worshiped by The Covenant for her ability to harness Forerunner technology.
• The sex scene between Master Chief and Makee is seen as a misdirection and compromises the integrity of the character, straying from the action-heavy sci-fi adventure that the franchise is known for.

The sex scene between Master Chief and Makee has stirred a lot of controversy among Halo fans, who felt the scene in the TV adaptation didn't tonally fit the original franchise. Based on the popular video game series from Microsoft, Halo is the first live-action adaptation of the franchise, which stars Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief, the lead Spartan in the UNSC (United Nations Space Command). The show also stars Charlie Murphy as Makee, a human member of the alien collective known as The Covenant, who are at war with humanity in an attempt to find the Forerunner artifacts.

Makee was created specifically for the Halo TV show, as no human character has ever been a part of The Covenant in the game series. Abducted by The Covenant from the waste salvage planet known as Oban, Makee is worshipped by The Covenant for her ability to harness Forerunner technology in Halo as a "Blessed One," a trait shared only with Master Chief. After an attempt to infiltrate the UNSC to gain an artifact, Makee is captured, eventually bonding with and gaining the trust of Master Chief, leading to the controversial Halo sex scene.

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Master Chief's Relationship & Connection With Makee Explained

Both Master Chief & Makee Are "Blessed Ones"

The sex scene in Halo came about in part because of the shared connection between Makee and Master Chief, specifically that they are both "Blessed Ones". Master Chief, a.k.a. John-117, a human born on the colony world of Eridanus II, was conscripted at a young age, trained, and altered to be a Spartan super-soldier. He also can harness and utilize Forerunner technology, making him a "Blessed One" just like Makee.

Their connection is tested when they both interact with one of the Forerunner artifacts, leading to more revelations about Master Chief's past. After it's revealed that both Master Chief and Makee share the status as "Blessed Ones," they share a vision of the Halo rings, further solidifying the undeniable connection between them.

Why Halo's Sex Scene Was A Breaking Point For The TV Show

The Moment Is One Of Many Attempts To Humanize Master Chief

In Halo season 1, episode 8, Master Chief goes to visit Makee in her cell, prompting the two to consummate their relationship in an unexpected twist. The controversial scene is the first time Master Chief has ever been seen having a sexual relationship in the franchise and with a character that has no connection to the long-running series. Fans are upset or conflicted about the romance angle, as many feel it's an unearned moment that happened way too soon and abruptly in the series.

This is part of the series' attempt to "humanize" Master Chief, stripping him of his helmet, armor, and general sense of confident strength that's been his characteristic in the game series for decades. The sex scene represents a low point for the franchise with multiple issues stemming from it, not to mention the general misdirection of the show, which almost feels like it's adapting Halo in name only.

The problem with the sex scene in Halo is that it was completely unearned and unnecessary to advance Halo's story, particularly that of Master Chief. The scene compromises the integrity of the character in nearly every way, particularly as a Spartan. While Master Chief may have removed his emotional regulator, which would likely cause him to make some poor decisions, the show pushes that aspect too far, too soon. Master Chief is essentially "sleeping with the enemy" (not to mention a prisoner) and shows a pure lack of concern for ethics or morality in the situation.

The scene is also unsettling given that both Halo's Cortana and Halsey are essentially watching it all happen. The biggest issue, however, is that the scene takes the show in a direction beyond the scope of what fans are looking for, turning the proceedings into a dull, operatic romance with a political lean, rather than an action-heavy, sci-fi adventure that the franchise was born of. With each subsequent episode, the Halo series has stripped away much of what made Master Chief such an engaging and long-lasting character, leaving very little of the mystery that made him appealing to begin with.

Halo Season 2 Needs A Master Chief Similar To The Games

Master Chief Was Never An Emotionally Compromised Character

The showrunners seem to have lost sight of what makes Halo so popular to begin with. Master Chief was never intended to be an emotionally compromised character who questions his every move with deep, introspective longing. He was created to be a man of few words, speaking more with action than feelings, and was always uncompromising in his mission, no matter what. While the argument could be made that John-117 would need to be more fleshed out in a series adaptation for newcomers to the series to be invested, the show forgets that many of its viewers played the games.

Halo is overstuffed not only with ridiculous and dull plotlines (let alone the vacant sex scene), but with characters that fail to connect. The franchise has always been about Halo's Master Chief and the Spartans in their battle to save humanity, a story that's already been explored in the games, books, comics, etc. to great effect. While the show may want to establish its own identity aside from what came before, Halo Season 2 needs to get back to the simple, action-heavy spectacle. With season 2 now underway, the show has a chance to fix its major Master Chief problem.