Paramount+'s Halo TV series immediately incensed fans by deciding to remove Master Chief's helmet. The expectation had been that, like Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian, Pablo Schreiber would only provide the hero's voice and perhaps make one or two appearances.
The first episode gave the mysterious hero a face (a major departure from the video games) and, if what we've seen from season 2 is any indication, Schreiber will be spending even more time without the helmet on when the series returns next month.
"Hmm, well, that one you’ll have to get used to," the actor told Collider when they mentioned the complaints to him. "We established that in the first episode that was going to happen. That's what our show is about; it's about exploring the dynamic between John and Master Chief."
"So, if you're not on board with that one, you might as well give up. As far as what to say to gamers, come on back and see the differences between Season 1 and Season 2 and see if you like it."
"Again, we started the first episode by taking the helmet off. He takes the helmet off throughout the season because that's the story we're telling. We're telling a story about the dynamic between the supersoldier, Master Chief, who's been stuck in this suit of armor for his entire life, and his burgeoning humanity and his experience with humanity - that's John."
"And so to tell that story, you have to have both sides," Schreiber concluded. "You have to have access to the actor's face. You have to create a dual experience for the character. That's our show."
In other words, if you don't like it, stop watching! That's probably not the best message for Halo's lead star to put out to fans - particularly when they make up a large percentage of the show's audience - but the decision to keep Master Chief's helmet off is one that the creative team remains committed to.
However, Schreiber did go on to promise that they've taken the complaints into account and used them to find what he believes to be the right balance of helmet and no helmet.
"For me, it's very important that the scenes when Master Chief is Master Chief, he's Master Chief, and we experience that. We experience what his experience is, and it doesn't include taking your helmet off in the middle of a battle or at the end of a battle just so you can get face-time, right?"
"That's the stuff that I want to do away with, and I think we’re keeping control of that pretty well this season. But you're gonna have experiences with John because that's the story we're telling. We're telling the story of both sides of this character."
When Halo returns with its second season on February 8, we'll pick up with Master Chief John-117 as he leads his team of elite Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. In the wake of a shocking event on a desolate planet, John cannot shake the feeling that his war is about to change and risks everything to prove what no one else will believe - that the Covenant is preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold.