Spoilers abound in this review, not just for the show, but for Halo 4 as well. You’ve been warned.

In part four of my review of episode 1, I take a look at the relationship between Lasky and Silva, a little bit more of the academy, and Lasky’s review by another UNSC officer.

Hastati. I like that the set has these finer details. It denotes a more lived in feel, rather than being all pristine. Hastati isn’t new. How could it be with the logo being on the floor. My gut tells me names of the squads are carried on as tradition. I wonder if we’ll see other members of Hastati show up in Halo 4?

Tochakava looks on. again good detail here though subtle. In fact it’s the subtle detail that helps to flesh out these scenes without being overpowering to attract your attention to them.

The cadets after the mission take time to clean up and talk. Again, this set is fantastic. It is a bit closed in though. Almost prison like.  However, that’s good as these soon to be cadets will be on starships that look very much like this, so they better get used to the views.

Lasky looks at the damaged he sustained in the training exercise. Of note here is that there is much more paint on the breastplate in this pic than there was on the training field. Mistake? Maybe, but I think it’s there for dramatic expression.

Vickers looks to other cadets. Now how about that towel? Man, I’d love to have one of those. As a collector and Halo fan, this would be great to own. Here’s hoping Waypoint hears my plea!

Silva in her skin tight under suit. RAWR! Er um…well RAWR! LOL.

A picture of Lasky’s ODST brother. He looks the part alright. This is a good shot as it’s gritty, again giving that lived in feeling.

Lasky walking toward Corbulo’s statue.

Powerful hard edges in the statue really do give it a sense of strength. Note the Assault Rifle he’s carrying. Hmm, I don’t think those were around back in the Roman days…

General Black giving orders.

Black smokes a stogie. I wonder what he’s looking up at and thinking?

CAMS as seen from above. Wow, what an impressive shot. Loads of detail here. VERY believable.

Lasky stands before an as yet unnamed (in the episode) UNSC Officer for review.

She is a powerful character, professional. However as this scene unfolds, you find out she has ties to Lasky from being under the command of his mother in the past. It seems this officer is looking out for Tom. Could be the only thing that saved him from Court Marshal.

Lasky’s look as he’s being talked to by his superior. He seems concerned yet unapologetic.

You can tell she’s been through combat. Look at that scar near the Zygomatic arch.

Lasky gives a salute with freezer burn fully in view. This is a believable mark. It’s blended well with the actor’s skin and has that detailed reddish ring around the wound. The makeup artist did a great job here.

She seems more exhausted after talking with Lasky than he does. Also, look at the Assault Rifle relief in the background. A powerful image to have on your wall. It adds to the strength of this character.

Lasky taking a shower revealing yet more freezer burns.

“Forward Unto Death” ? Hmm, is this foreshadowing?

Lasky reflecting on the events of the day. The dark hues and lighting add to the effect that it wasn’t a pleasant day for him.

Looking up, does he wish he could leave?

A good view from a distance of the academy. Note the multiple moons in the sky.

That’s a wrap on part four. Next up part five: Barracks life.

-Sal

Spoilers abound in this review, not just for the show, but for Halo 4 as well. You’ve been warned.

In part three of my review of episode 1, I take a look at the fallout from Lasky’s failure during the training exercise.

The cadets march/running back to base. Hmm, the formation seems a bit weak. No excuse! (Yeah, I’m a hard ass. LOL)

A warthog approaches, but with whom on board?

The number “7” on one of the flags. A definite nod to Bungie as the number was significant for them.

General Black steps out to debrief the cadets with Squad leader Orenski just in front of him. He’s a sharp dressed man, huh?

Orenski looks pissed as she knows her squad is about to be berated. This is a strong female character, one of a few in this mini-series. I’m very happy to see some form of gender equality in the series. Looks like the future has gotten some things right.

General Black look on at the squad. Then he starts into his lecture.

He speaks of Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo for whom the academy is named after. (You should really take a look at that link.)

Lasky looking very stoic even in the face of his commanding officer. Now this is a glimpse of what is to come!

Orenski looks like she wants to beat the s..stuff out of Lasky.

General Black looking directly into the face of Lasky. There is no doubt who was to blame for this training exercises failure.

The cadets start their trek back to the academy.

I love this shot as it shows those swirling things as seen in Reach as well as an approaching Pelican.

The academy has a nice track and field to train on.

Future UNSC officers in training. This is very much how it looks in actual bootcamp. I know, I’ve been through it in the U.S. Navy.

A cadet readies a Magnum. Great looking prop here, though it probably should have been bigger. Still, wouldn’t you LOVE to own this? I know I would.

The shin armor of the cadets. It definitely has that UNSC look to it, with whispers of Spartan armor.

Is that Noble Six? Or maybe an ODST? Hmm, will we ever find out?

A statue of Corbulo awaits as the cadets march/run by. This is a subtle yet powerful scene as we see strength and leadership in the statue. It’s meant to give strength to the cadets. Note how it’s not so accessible though. This also states that strength and leadership is not easily acquired, it must be earned.

That’s Lasky bring up the rear. Exhausted and berated, he seems to be lagging in more than just physical prowess.

Next up part 4: Something to believe in.

-Sal

First I must say a HUGE thanks to 343 for making this possible. Finally a live action show that is much more than just a commercial or a small clip. Spoilers abound in this review, not just for the show, but for Halo 4 as well. You’ve been warned.

In part two of my review of episode 1, I take a look at Tom Lasky’s failure on the training field and it’s implications.

The training exercise begins with a rude awakening from Cryo sleep. Note how dark this scene is.

Lasky seems to struggle with even the mundane things like putting on his helmet. Something he should know like the back of his hand.

Cadet Chyler Silva (played by actress Anna Popplewell of “Chronicles of Narnia” fame) is ready to go!

Even those goggles have a basic HUD (head up display).

Here we get a much better look at the HUD. Upper left squad name designation: Hastati. Upper Right cadet name: Lasky. Just below that the weapons designation showing an assault rifle with 32 shots of ammo left. Bottom Middle on “Training Mode.” Bottom Right: CAMS (Corbulo Academy of Military Science). And the  center targeting locater. This shows Lasky’s 3 person group about to rendezvous with the other 3 person group.

This is an excellent shot as we get a great overlay of the HUD onto real terrain. It’s unobtrusive to what’s in the distance with exception to the yellow pie piece of the target designator.

Silva, Lasky, and cadet Sullivan (Sully) racing toward the rendezvous point. The nick-name of Sully is likely in homage to Captain Sullenberger, the civilian pilot who saved his aircraft and all on board on a succesful crash landing on the Hudson river in New York not to long ago.

Sully gets hit and is down. Lasky looks on as if not knowing what to do next. Not very becoming of a future officer in the UNSC.

Lasky’s HUD showing a man down!

Game over for Sullivan. Though it is an training exercise.

Hastati squad ASSEMBLE! minus Sully 🙁

Cadet Vickers gives the order to attack.

We see two groups of three flanking the squad. What to do?

Lasky disagrees with the order, saying Hastati can flank the aggressors. Other cadets like Silva and Tochakava (pictured) agree, while Vickers (right) gets frustrated by the lack of discipline and following orders.

Lasky, you’re not in charge anymore, we go with my plan. (heading straight into the aggressors)

Lasky: It won’t work! We can flank and negotiate a surrender.

The cadets waste valuable time with indecision. Something that will come back to bite them, HARD.

Lasky doesn’t care for Vicker’s orders.

The enemy is moving in FAST.

Lasky takes it upon himself to act and makes what would have been a fatal mistake had this been on the battlefield.

He’s been stunned by a shot to the breastplate.

His squad leader look on in disgust at Lasky’s failure to follow orders, which would have gotten himself killed. Unacceptable. (She pumps a couple more shots into him…)

Lasky gets up and looks at himself in the warped mirror. It’s at this point if you haven’t already figured it out that we find that Lasky isn’t a perfect soldier.

This part of episode one really sets up the fact that Lasky is a work in progress. Seems he used to be a leader in the squad, but has made past failures. He has much to learn before he becomes an officer in the UNSC.

Next up in part 3 of my review: The Fallout.

-Sal

First I must say a HUGE thanks to 343 for making this possible. Finally a live action show that is much more than just a commercial or a small clip. Spoilers abound in this review, not just for the show, but for Halo 4 as well. You’ve been warned.

Today marks the day when history is made in the Halo franchise. It’s the premiere of the long awaited mini-series, “Forward Unto Dawn.” The story of Thomas Lasky and the beginning of the war between humans and the Covenant.

Tom Lasky is a pivotal character. Not just in this mini-series, but also in Halo 4 where he will be the executive officer of the UNSC Infinity. The following is the first part in my six part review of “Forward Unto Dawn” episode one.

The episode starts out with this shot of the severely damaged Forward Unto Dawn ship. You can see it’s designation as FFG-201.

Inside the ship in the cryo bay with ice particles floating about. This seen just looks cold and foreboding.

A shot of what I believe to be the Forward Unto Dawn’s alert system showing multiple breaches on what’s left of it’s hull.

Catastrophic loss, crew capacity 782 (hmm I didn’t know it carried that many people), crew survivin 1. Now who could that be? LOL

Master Chief of course.

I love the detail on the helmet, especially the hex pattern in the visor.

The Forward Unto Dawn at a distance (right middle) lost in space.

The pic says it all.

A display screen, but who is looking at it and from where? Take note of these graphics. A fantastic job of looking futuristic yet recognizable.

It’s Commander Lasky aboard the UNSC Infinity. He’s listening to an SOS call from the Forward Unto Dawn. It’s Cortana making the plea.

Upon hearing the call designation of “Sierra one one seven” Lasky starts to contemplate.

He’s heard that designation before.

He seems not only concerned but maybe a little resentful?

Lasky starts into his retrospective of events from 20 odd years ago…

This is the intro scene for the series. Whether or not it repeats in future episodes remains to be seen. It does however set up nicely the story which is about to unfold. We can see from these pics that there is a history between Lasky and Master Chief. Is it good or bad? Does he resent Chief or is he concerned? What does finding the distress signal mean for the UNSC and for him personally, knowing the Master Chief is aboard?

Part 2 in my review: Lasky’s failure.