Halo – Season 2 Episode 5 “Aleria” Recap & Review

Aleria

Episode 4 of Halo was a tragic one. Halo season 2 episode 5 titled “Aleria,” begins with the incapacitated Master Chief being called out by Riz. Riz tells everyone that they can no longer hold the Covenant forces and must escape. The situation escalates when a massive hammer-wielding Brute joins the battle. Just when it seems that all is lost, a ship enters Reach’s skies and takes down the Brute.

The ship is piloted by Laera, who is actually Soren’s wife. The last remaining survivors lead Master Chief onto the ship, but Riz refuses to leave without Vannak’s body for a proper burial. Riz succeeds but suffers heavy injuries in the process. Once John wakes up, he blames himself for being too hard on Riz, as if she had something to prove.

Riz is badly injured and needs surgery, which, if not provided soon, will result in her death. Master Chief is also told that Kai is still missing and unaccounted for. It is revealed that the fall of Reach is actually a political move, and they need to remain hidden for the time being.

Meanwhile, Makee finds herself in a heated discussion with the Arbiter, who is obviously infuriated for being stopped from killing Master Chief, whom he calls “The Demon.” The Arbiter makes it clear that Makee only lives because he deems it so.

Once the Arbiter leaves the chamber, Makee wakes up Cortana and asks her to show John’s memories, but Cortana refuses in Sangheili, the alien language. In response, Makee threatens to destroy Cortana, but it doesn’t work, and Cortana deactivates herself.

John is informed that they will be landing on a nearby planet named Aleria, where Riz can get the help she needs. Soren also reveals that his son Kessler is at Aleria. However, when they arrive, Kessler is missing. After asking around, they discover that he has been taken by some bandit women. They later find out that the boy they thought was Kessler was actually someone to whom Kessler had given his helmet.

As for Riz, she undergoes surgery and survives. Master Chief also remembers that it was Parangosky who severed Cortana’s connection from him, and let Reach fall. As the episode progresses, Vannak is given a proper service, and John swears to punish everyone responsible for Vannak’s death, including Parangosky and Ackerson. However, Halsey warns John against it and says he carries the secret of the Halo ring.

She explains that John is the only one who can lead humans to the Halo rings, which she believes is the only way to save mankind. Halsey says that if John chooses to go against ONI, he’ll be dooming mankind. At the same time, an old tribal woman who appears to know Kwan Ha shows her a vision. In the vision, Kwan Ha is told that she is the protector of the planets and must save everyone.

Makee learns that the ship is heading towards High Charity, which angers her because Makee knows she will be killed as soon as she enters the city for failing in the mission. She insults the Prophets, calling them liars, which also angers the Arbiter. However, the Arbiter calms down when shown a projection of the Halo Rings’ surface by Cortana. This confuses the Arbiter, and Makee seizes the opportunity to further confuse him, prompting the Arbiter to turn the ship around.

Back at Aleria, Laera forces the innkeeper, who keeps records of everyone who comes to the place, to reveal that Kessler is in UNSC’s custody. As the episode nears its end, everyone gets ready to board the ship and leave the planet to resume their battle. Riz is hesitant, and John tries to convince her, but Riz says that her fight is over, and she wants to be at peace.

With no choice left, everyone boards the ship. However, in the final few seconds, we get a glimpse of Kai at Onyx, and it appears that she has been promoted and given command of a new unit, possibly an ONI-branded Spartan Unit.

The Episode Review

Episode 5 hit us hard with a Spartan’s death and another deciding to lay down her arms for a peaceful life. But John isn’t finished yet; he’s determined to ensure Vannak’s death wasn’t in vain. The big mystery is why Cortana saved Makee.

Maybe she sees potential in Makee and has her own agenda, which might align with John’s. Cortana is incredibly intelligent, and she likely showed Arbiter the project to avoid falling into the hands of the Covenant, especially the Prophets.