The second episode of Halo’s second season isn’t bad, by any means, but it’s not quite as memorable as the previous episode. Instead, “Sword” is a reminder that the Halo series is strongest when it focuses on the Spartans’ stories, whether it’s John’s attempts to set the record straight about what happened on Sanctuary, Riz’s efforts to physically and mentally bounce back from a near-death experience, or Kai’s concerns for the Chief’s wellbeing.
But like most modern television, there are several branching narratives playing out simultaneously, and Halo struggles to juggle them. There’s a slightly too obvious tension between building out the show’s side characters while also racing to ensure the narratives tidy up by the end of the season. The results are a bit disorienting; Halo episode 2 feels like it’s trying to clear several paths at once. It stumbles at times, but when it finds its stride, it’s like a Spartan sprinting across an open field. Spartans on standby The episode begins with Dr