So now the speculation of what happens in episode 5 (the last full episode) takes place.

With there being only 4 cadets left: Laksy, Chyler Silva, “Sully” Sullivan, and April Orenski; who will die next if any?

I’m going to take a wild guess and say both the women. At this point Orenski has run her course in the series. Though I’d love to see her come back as a commanding officer of a ship, in a novel, if she survives. Chyler though…a tough call to kill her off, but I think it’s practically necessary. For Lasky it will be the final straw for him. Chyler is the last person he really cares anything about. Losing her would make him a hardened career military man for sure. And, of course this is basically what he has become as we know he’s in Halo 4.

Sullivan is the only other cadet I can see making it through. Yes, he’s wounded from the needle round to the leg from this episode, however, he’s a very popular character. Being a bit of a wise-ass as well as an ONI spy in the making, Sully has huge amounts of potential to show up in other areas of Halo, be that novels or the next game(s).

Oh and did you guys watch the credits at the end of this episode? One word: HUNTER
(Go see for yourself)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_xn889cSk&feature=plcp

Go to 15:23 of the episode and pause…(or just look below)

On that note, back up just a few seconds and my theory of Chyler dying could be correct. You see Lasky running. Behind him you see Chief kneeling with Orenski and Sully seating against a tree, but no Chyler. Is Lasky running to save her? Maybe, or he could be looking to avenge her death?

We’ll know in a week, but in the meantime, I like trying to figure out where this is all going to end up for the series (not including the fact that Lasky is in Halo 4 and of course Master Chief lives).

So here we are at the last review for Episode 4.

Lasky gets the hog running!

Pop pop pop goes the Jackals, the Jackals!

Why it’s Master Chief of course, in this short sequence that is sure to become iconic to the series.

Are Chief’s shields down? Wait a sec…

Achievement Unlocked 117G: Most badass leap off a balcony EVER!

GO!

(Um, yes sir…)

DRIVE!

The end…well of this episode and review.

In watching this for the first time it all just seemed to flash by. When this last shot came up and then the episode was over, I literally said out loud, “NO!” I couldn’t believe it was over so quickly. Yet there it was nearly 16 minutes later. Wow, times sure flies when you’re watching Master Chief kick arse!

By far THIS is my favorite episode. Okay, so I have a bias for Master Chief. But then, who wouldn’t? Yes, I know this series is about Lasky and the development of the characters has been impressive given the short time allotted for the series thusfar. But come on, we all know that for most of us, this was about seeing Master Chief in LIVE-action.

I do want to say though that that in no way diminishes the performances of the other actors in the series. They’ve all done a remarkable job. Every character believable, none over the top. Direction is superb, special effects are great, lighting fantastic, editing, music. The whole production is AWESOME!

Whew, if someone asked me a month ago if I could pull this off in a day, well…I might still say yes, but I’d be doubting myself. I’m so happy that I’ve been able to stick with it. Now on to the graphic novel for episode 4!

Strap yourselves in for the final push. Only one more episode to go.

The cadets are under fire when Orenski gives the order for Lasky to go. After a quick check on Chyler, he heads off to the waiting Warthog. As he runs, this is shown in slow motion. Shots are ringing out all around him. Purple bolts from needle rifles, green plasma from Carbines. Where these fireworks they might be beautiful, but under the circumstances, I think Lasky would rather not have to see this light show.

Orenski’s in for the fight, while it’s taking Silva some time to gather her strength. the mix of lighting and dirt on Chyler’s face show the timelapse of battle. Just a day ago it would have been Innies she’d have been sent out to kill. Now…

As he gets to the Warthog, Lasky finds the dead body of General Black in the vehicle. Was he trying to get away? Was he going to get on the turret and fight back? Lasky doesn’t have time to think about that. However we do have time to ponder this thought provoking scene. Was the good General leaving cowardly, or was he preparing to take the fight to the Covies. Sadly, we will never know. I’d like to think though as the Commanding Officer of the Academy that he was readying himself to go down with the ship, so to speak.

Orenski’s out of ammo, Lasky is fumbling trying to get the Warthog started, and now Chyler’s out of ammo as well. What to do???

Hmm, well what do we have here? Chyler considers then picks up the alien weapon. She raises it and fires off a shot, squarely killing a Jackal perched on a rooftop across from her position. Damn, she’s a good shot! Now I do wish we’d have got a clearer brighter shot of the Jackal itself, but that’s a minor point. It is night afterall and the Jackal’s scream of agony at being shot is quite enough to supplant my need to see it visually.

With the situation seemingly near a standstill and with ammo running low, the situation looks perilous for the young surviving cadets.

Next and final review of Episode 4: Part 11, Super Hero?

As the cadets make it outside, they are greeted by the grim discovery of the full impact of what has taken place. With bodies of cadets, marines, and ODST scattered about, you have to believe that they are scared for their own safety, yet somehow have found resolve in following Master Chief. The echoes of a soft wailing in the background music add to the effect of loss and tragedy.

Sully checks their rear, when from the flank comes a stinging shot from a needle rifle. He’s hit and down, but not out.

He looks to where the shot came from when another shot is headed his way. Shown in slow motion the shot is coming right towards Sully, when Master Chief steps in the way just in time, only to have the shot crash and break against the armor on his arm. Chief has already seen action against the Covenant, so he has at least some understanding of the penetrating power of a needle. His armor is more than enough to handle this shot. Heroic indeed!

As shot ring out around them, Master Chief takes charge and fires back.  Now THIS is something we’ve been waiting for. Watching Chief kick some Covie arse!

I just love this pose that Daniel Cudmore gives (from inside the suit) as he gives Lasky the order to get to the Warthog. It’s just ICONIC!

Lasky yells out, “Chief!” Yet Chief is nowhere to be found…for now.

Next review of Episode 4: Part 10, No ammo? Improvise!

Sully knew the ONI vids were bad news, they’re the only ones alive, he doesn’t know what’s going on, and now jokes that they are following a giant robot. This gives some slight comic relief, but not enough to take you away from the situation. A good move. Calm viewers down just a little bit so they can get prepared for what is to come.

Lasky shows his softer side, yet maintaining a leadership role when talking with Chyler. He gives her a helmet and says she’s going to be fine. He does this not as a generic comment, but with feeling and enough assurance that Chyler takes it to heart, even if she’s still scared. These small but engaging interactions are what help to make this series so believable even though it’s 500 years in the future.

A clang is heard, Sully and Orenski are scared. The music slowly crescendoes only to be cut off as Master Chief steps back into the picture. He asks, “Who’s the best shot here?” Sully jokes, “You probably.” Chief doesn’t comment on the remark. Lasky volunteers Chyler as the best and Orenski steps up to say she’s a good shot as well.

“Cadet Lasky, can you drive a Warthog?”

Ah yeah, sh.. is about to get REAL!

This sequence is the most lighthearted part of the episode, and yet there is still the right amount of tension and stress to keep the viewer engaged. I can’t say enough about the whole production. From Director Hendler, to the performers, to the editing, sound, lighting, music…This would only be made better if we were to see it on a movie screen! (I’m now keeping my fingers crossed!!!)

Next review of Episode 4: Part 9, Man down!

With Vickers dispatched, the Elite once again closes in. Is there anyone who can stop him from getting to the cadets?

YES! With one deft thrust of his blade, Master Chief descends upon the Elite and silences him without so much as a “wort” from the Elite. This first look at Master Chief looking down upon his fallen foe is extremely powerful. The suit looks amazing. Chief looks buff as he should. Standing over the Elite gives rise to the strength that inhibits our favorite Halo hero.

The cadets are in awe and still in fear, not knowing if this new giant is a threat or not. Now it’s important to listen carefully here or you may miss it. Master Chief uses his com to order “Kelly” (another very important Spartan) to rendezvous at an extraction point. So now we have confirmation that there is going to be at least another spartan in the series. Master Chief says these lines at precisely the 8:25 mark of the video.

Lasky asks how he found them. Chief says the distress beacon. Sully inquires why he came for them. Chief says because they are the only survivors. Sully questions, of the school? Chief answer, no the planet.

Okay, now THAT has to be one of the most driven lines of dialog in this episode. In just a few lines we learn the Chief has come for them, the SOLE survivors of the whole planet. Daunting to say the least.

Chief tells them to armor up. When told it’s locked, he does what comes naturally, RIPS the door off! EPIC!!! And just look at Sully’s face in the pic above. Yep, that says it all, LOL.

As they exit the room, you hear Master Chief’s footfalls clanking on the floor. If you didn’t know he is a walking tank, then you do now. Adding this sound into the scene is yet another example of how no stone was left unturned and attention to detail is present. Great job to the sound crew for a great sound there.

As Chief and the cadets move cautiously down the hallway a noise is heard. Chief gives the hand signal to stop. He tells the cadets to not leave, no matter what they hear. Lasky asks, “Wait, who are you?”

“Call me Master Chief.”

Okay, if that line didn’t give you goosebumps thenI don’t know what will. Just exciting! Gawd, am I LOVING this series. It’s going to be an ongoing series after this right? Oh, don’t we all wish!!!

Next review of Episode 4: Part 8, You’re gonna be fine…

It’s IN! The crumpled door lays in a warped mess from the Elite bursting through! The visual of the warped door goes to show the power of an individual Elite. They are not to be trifled with.

As if Vickers needs Lasky to tell him to be quiet… The fear and abject horror on Vickers face says it all.

It’s close. How close? So close that Lasky can see it’s footfalls in the water. Tension is continuing to ratchet up.

The Elite rounds the corner where the four cadets are hiding. Note the fine detail on the Elite’s armor and the shimmering of the energy sword. The CG work in this scene is the best so far in the series. Truly amazing.

Vickers can’t stand to see his fellow cadets in such peril, so he takes action! A very heroic quality.

He’s struck down before he gets his swing off. Though Vickers dies he does buy the cadets a few more precious seconds.

Again Director Stewart Hendler doesn’t shy away from killing of characters. The way in which Vickers death is handled in commendable. had he died early on in the series I think we as viewers might have cheered it since he seemed to be a little despicable. However, the growth of the character as portrayed by Iain Belcher, made me feel something for Vickers when he finally falls. I’d be proud to call him a fellow soldier!

Next review of Episode 4: Part 7, Call me Master Chief

The cadets make it to the training room, Lasky shuts the door, however, they can’t get to their weapons. Orenski says she doesn’t have access to the live rounds. IN the meantime Lasky is transmitting a distress call that Corbulo Academy has been attacked. This opening sequence to this scene is shown at a frenetic pace. This helps get we viewers into a frenzy as well over what’s going to happen.

Again this demonstrates Stewart Hendler’s professional ability to direct any given action. The editing is handled very well here by using quick cuts between the actors never staying on them for more than a second or two.

Vickers takes it upon himself to go all hulk on one of the locker doors holding their weapons. I really like the direction this character has taken. From the early episodes on we see that he is a leader. Even if his decisions might have brought peril to his cadets earlier, he never stops at trying to be a leader. Not because he has an ego, but rather because he realizes it’s his duty while training at the academy. A character I initially didn’t like, I came to realize that I didn’t like him because Iain Belcher’s portrayal of him is fantastic. He acts the part so well, that you forget you’re watching an actor and start to dislike the character. That’s great acting folks! As episodes continue we see the maturation of Vickers as he seems to comes to terms with Lasky and now in this episode he’s helping his fellow cadets.

BOOM!

The cadets startled out of there immediate concern for getting their weapons, they turn to face the fortified door to the room as they hear a loud boom coming from the other side. This happens just after Vickers tries to crash through the door to a locker, so the correlation is very apparent. Vickers is trying to crash through to salvation, while the Elite is trying to crash through to decimation.

The cadets scramble to hide with all but Vickers on one side of the room, while he hides on the other side.

Something wicked this way comes…

A very intentional shot of the door, this gives off the sense of impending doom for the cadets. Nowhere to run, no weapons to fight with, how will they escape?

With hardly a sound other than the hurried breaths of the cadets and the occasional crashing against the door, this scene is set up to strike fear into the viewer.

Next review of Episode 4: Part 6, Vickers strikes back!

The cadets line up and leave the barracks room, with Chen in the lead. As he rounds a corner he stops…

…only to be gutted by an energy sword as his fellow cadets look on with fear and terror.

Chen has given the ultimate sacrifice as he’s lifted off the ground by the cloaked Elite. By taking point he put himself in a position for something like this to happen, yet he faced it like a man. It buys the other cadets enough time to run away.

As with Lasky seeing Mehaffey’s death earlier in the episode, Chen’s death in front of the cadets helps to galvanize them as well.

Hendler gives great direction here and is not afraid to kill off characters. This helps to drive home to full effect of this new war. What’s next for the surviving cadets of Corbulo academy?

Next review of Episode 4: Part 5, The Doors

In this next sequence the cadets look for refuge.

The cadets find initial safety in a room in their barracks.

This however is unsettling to al of the cadets. The fear and concern of what is happening is readily apparent on each of their faces. This is a testament to the subtleties of acting with performers casting visual representation on each of their faces, yet by different expression.

Sully reacts to Dima’s death from last episode, when the space tether was blown away. Tom mentions Colonel Mehaffey. Both very poignant lines as each are realizing the loss this battle has brought upon them.

It’s not safe to stay here and Lasky knows it.

With good reason too as an Elite shanks another cadet violently…then turns INVISIBLE!

This portion of the scene is reminiscent of the best scenes from Predator, the movie franchise. Yet, I got a feeling of even more urgency here as these cadets are unarmed and trapped. Stewart Hendler did a fantastic job of direction during this portion of the episode. (not to say he didn’t in the rest…continue reading)

Orenski finally seems to snap out of it long enough to give orders to get to the training room to get weapons. Chen mans up and volunteers to take point.

This part of the episode reveals the weaknesses and eventual strength of the cadets, some in subtle ways, while others very direct.

Next review of Episode 4: Part 4, Sacrifice

In the next scene we seen a firefight already taking place.

An ODST in the midst of battle.

Squad leader, April Orenski, shouting out orders to her surviving cadets.

Chaos is ensuing, but the UNSC forces fight back none the less.

A marine is struck down. Ouch that look like it hurt!

Judging from the meaty bits flying from the soldiers back, I’d have to say it did in fact hurt, a LOT.

Lasky see the horror going on and notices someone else…

It’s Colonel Mehaffey and she’s been hit by needles and killed. I personally loved this character and am sad to see her die. However, it is completely understandable why she had to.

For one it helps to galvanize Lasky in action. She was like a mother figure to him. So, to see her die right in front of his face stirs him further to becoming the leader we’ll see in the future, in Halo 4.

This is one of the more powerful scenes in the series thusfar. It’s a HUGE loss for Lasky, likely on par with his brother’s death, especially given that this happens right in front of him.

Next review of Episode 4: Part 3, A predator hunts

Hello again readers. Welcome back to the furthering adventures of Tom Lasky and Forward Unto Dawn.

As with each previous episode, we start out watching a now familiar backdrop of the drifting Forward Unto Dawn. Cortana is thinking out loud about her rampancy. Next parts of the ship start to burst. Not from explosions though.

What’s great is that one of the clamp rings from a hose connected to a cryo bay is popped off. A close up of this ring makes it appear to be just like a Halo ring, especially when focused on the outer edge of it. This is a great use of imagery that connects us to the larger story outside of the series.

As Cortana continues to consider the situation, the broken ship starts to be scanned form an “unknown” source.

She recognizes that it’s not Covenant by design and exclaims, “We’re in danger.” A great way to transition to the past where indeed Lasky and his fellow cadets are in extreme danger.

In each of these opening sequences, Stewart Hendler, continues to one-up himself in direction. We viewers gain more and more knowledge of the struggles of rampancy for an AI seen through the eyes of Cortana, figuratively speaking.

Next review of Episode 4: Part 2, Battle and Loss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_xn889cSk&feature=plcp

Okay why are you even reading this. WATCH THE VIDEO!

Master Chief, ‘Nuff Said!!!

Look for my MANY part review of this episode later today. I took 343 screenshots (no joke, just a very cool coincidence) of this episode to use for reviews and the graphic novel later.

-Sal