'Halo' Episode 9 Ending Explained: Is Makee dead? John's sacrifice and series future decoded
'Halo' started off with a bang, and ended on an equally explosive note, but left enough questions ahead of the new season. The hunt for the artifact and Makee (Charlie Murphy) intensifies in the season finale, and Master Chief/John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) leads the Silver team on a suicide mission which they escape just barely, but not without casualties and compromises. What works in 'Halo's favor is the the world it created in its pilot season that makes the second installment all the more intriguing.
Every key character plays crucial roles and their actions shape the storyline for the next season. From Makee's fate to Halsey's (Natascha McElhone) escape, the finale packs a punch, while also making Master Chief the cynosure of all eyes. With the series now complete, we attempt to explain the ending and also speculate on what to expect in the upcoming installment.
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Is Makee dead?
Kai shoots Makee after she activates the artifact and pulls John away from reality. Her presumed death also snaps John back to battle. However, he realizes that he and his Spartans are not only in danger of failing to acquire the artifact, but also signing their death warrants at the hands of the zealots. With Jiralhanae Minor pounding John and time running out for the Silver Team, especially a mortally wounded Riz (Natasha Culzac), he submits control to Cortana, who vanquished the army by unleashing the lethal force Master Chief was always capable for. The supersoldier clears an escape path and also acquires the artifact (there's no effect now as the AI has overridden his emotions and conscious).
All these unfold as Makee lays non-responsive giving the feeling that she's stone cold dead. Her fate remains undetermined. With the Covenant head honchos watching this with disbelief and anger, there's every chance that they might save her only to use it to exact revenge on the "demon" (John). They are aware of the duo's connection, and only time will tell if she indeed is resurrected by the Covenant and perhaps becomes on of them.
Has John sacrificed what makes him human?
It's almost ironic that a man who wrestled to not surrender control to Cortana willingly and explicitly grants her control of his system. It's a complete system takeover as the AI takes charge of John and what follows is some Covenant carnage. With the artifact and the Silver team onboard, they exit the planet. John even cauterizes Riz's wounds and when Kai finally confronts him, all she gets is a look. The helmet stays intact. This asks the all-important question whether there's some part of John still remains. Cortana makes no promises that she can bring him back and that becomes a key talking point in the second season. At the moment, John's nothing more than a ruthless killing machine doing exactly what Halsey wanted him to do.
What's next for the Silver team?
It all depends whether Kai steers the team to Halsey, who goes missing somewhere near Manassas. Although she has a score to settle with the scientist, she's also aware that Cortana's creator is the only person who can perhaps bring the old John back. This would mean the entire Silver unit going against the UNSC who have already labeled Halsey as a traitor wanted for treason and a list of crimes. Her execution is imminent if she's caught, but the battle may have just worked in her favor as he not just has a safe haven, but also her soldiers doing what's she's always asked of them.
What about Kwan Ha and Soren?
Last we saw, Kwan Ha (Yerin Ha) is well on her way to becoming a Spartan. With an episode dedicated solely to showcase her heart and spunk, the character, despite garnering flak on social media, will still play a crucial role as 'Halo' spwans multiple seasons. There's that question if Soren (Bokeem Woodbine) will return, but with season 1 still doing some world-building, there's a real chance he will return.
'Halo' is available for streaming on Paramount+