I’ve got it laid out, the text written, now I just need to put the text into text bubbles and I’m done. Was hoping to finish it today, but had to do some things around the house. ‘

It WILL be done tomorrow though, so look for it, please, and as always, if you have a comment, please feel free to reply.

-Sal

So here we are. Near the end of the episode and the final review of it. The Covenant have struck and the cadets are scrambling. Not just for cover, but to figure out what the hell is going on.

Silva and Lasky peer out to something.

A UNSC soldier is fighting something that is shooting purple bolts. And what is that between them?

It’s an alien and it’s BIG!

It cuts down the statue of Corbulo in one fell swoop. But with what? A sword made of light?

I have to admit this scene was deliciously exciting. Seeing an early perutation of an Elite in purple lighting. Then is easily slicing through a dense statue with ease. It’s stance says it’s ready for more and that it’s only just begun.

This final shot really hits home the 9/11 feeling. Bodies falling from the sky. We can only grieve for Dima now.

This episode is chock full of engaging images such as this. The first minute with Cortana is powerful, the shots of the Spartan hand and helmet are as well. Then there is the last couple of minutes of the invasion scenes.

At first I was mildly disappointed that we still haven’t seen Master Chief yet. However, when taking this episode into full context and the action scenes at the end, there can be no doubt he will be in the next one. I for one am ready to see him kick some ASS!

Kudos to Stewart Hendler and the cast for an awesome performance in this episode. The quality of this production far exceeds anything I’ve seen from a web production. Were this made into a TV mini-series, I think we’d see a LOT more buzz about it and Halo 4.

I’m excited! Are you? Stay tuned for next week’s episode and the introduction of John-117, aka the Master Chief!

-Sal

The cadets look up as something makes an appearance through the clouds.

That’s not the UNSC. It’s three Covenant cruisers, like the one seen in the Reach mission “Long Night of Solace.” This is a powerful scene as there is real fear on the cadets faces. They have no idea what it is, but know it’s not good.

One of the cruisers lashes out and strikes the space tether. Um, NOT good.

This is where I started to get chills as it’s reminiscent of the World Trade Center collapsing.

Here comes the rubble and debris wave. The cadets scatter! Again, evoking the cloud of dust we saw during the events of 9/11.

Utter chaos ensues as people fall and are trampled on, or are caught up in the debris blast.

Lasky and Silva fall. Is this the end? This sequence really is striking and puts the cadets in the most peril they’ve been in up until now.

Next the final review of Episode 3. Part 8 The Elite and the Fallen

The action really starts to ratchet up from here on. As the Klaxon rings out, the base AI is telling cadets to go to the “tunnel.”

Various personnel are running about getting to their stations. Marines are directing the students and the feeling that all hell is about to break loose pervades.

Lasky and Silva get to the tunnel and are directed by Mehaffey to find their squad.

They look up to see the space tether through a roof window. An impending doom awaits.

What’s this?

Is that a Drop Pod?

It is indeed and there’s an ODST now. Lasky realizes they are under attack. But by whom? Tension rises.

Dima panics and tells the squad that she can get them on the car going up the space tether.

She’s ordered to stay, first by Orenski, then by the marine who is stationed at the car entrance. She uses her mother’s clout as Secretary of FleetCom to aboard. This is the first time we see a cadet directly use their family’s position as leverage.

The cadets look up at the escaping car.

Next: Review part 7 Tethered to Rubble

Near the end of the vid of his mother, Lasky is interrupted by Sullivan, who brings even more interesting footage.

So there it is, closer up. Clearly an Elite with an energy sword in the Spartan’s visor. Even the spartan seems taken aback by this.

They are both concerned when all of the sudden the transmission is cut off. Sullivan is in fear that ONI caught wind of him and rushes off to see if Dima’s mom is involved. So here we’re given indication that Sully isn’t part of ONI, but he’s more well than aware of it.

Lasky goes to find Chyler to tell her of the letter he got. The halls are empty and lonely, much like what Lasky is likely feeling in that moment.

He finds her at his normal thinking spot and they discuss the letter. She’s concerned that he’s going to leave, knowing that’s what he wanted. She says she’ll miss him then…

Yep, there it is, the big kiss we all knew would happen. Lucky guy that Tom/Thom. However they barely have time to enjoy the moment when a klaxon rings out…

Next: Review Part 6 Chaos and Tchakova.

We’re treated to another fly-by of the Space Tether. It’s an amazing 2 seconds with superb graphics. Man, I wish these existed here on Earth!

The cadets are notified by the base AI that it’s time for dinner.

During this scene the cadets talk about what they saw and try to figure out what it was. Sully is a little annoying making “pew pew” sounds. Chyler interrupts by saying what’s important is that the UNSC and Innies were working together.

The table is then interrupted by a man named Taylor who tells Lasky that Mehaffey needs to see him, now. Given the commanding voice of Taylor is sounds important if not urgent.

Colonel Mehaffey gives Lasky news that his Cryo condition is bad. It’s enough that he’s being given an letter to sign if he chooses, that will allow him to leave the academy. This is what he wanted at one time. Is it now? He asks when it would take effect and is told the next day if he signs then. To this news he is surprised and definitely does not seem ready to pack his bags.

Mehaffey goes on to explain that all he’ll have left of this is his memories and choices. It’s clear she doesn’t want him to go, yet is allowing him to make his own decision. Once again, she exudes a pseudo-motherly expression to Lasky. He takes the letter to think about it. They part saying “Axios” to each other while saluting.

Again, I have to say that the character of Mehaffey is very compelling. I hope to see this actress down the line again. She has done a fantastic job so far in this series. There is a hardness about the character from years of service, yet a softness when it comes to Lasky. A great balance.

Lasky goes to his room to mull things over. Hmm, that’s some really good paper stock there for such a standard thing. I guess the academy really is that elite…er no pun upcoming intended.

Lasky then views a vid from his mom. I was right! She tells Tom that his brother was shot down. Man, that’s rough. I liked that character. Very likeable. He’s another person I’d like to see in film again. Director Hendler sure has done an amazing job of getting just the right amount of emotion out of his actors. Folks this is a top notch production…have I said that before?

Next: Review part 5 Trouble Brewing

Seems it was Chyler, NOT Tom who was viewing the vid. She and Tom have a brief discussion as to why he watched them, knowing they’ll bring pain. Not quite a heartfelt moment, but we do see the Chyler cares for Tom.

Speaking of which, Tom reveals his Cryo wounds to Chyler. She seems at first disgusted, but then concerned.

While doing so they get interrupted by Sully who has some great footage of Classified Intel.

Sullivan tells them to come over and this is where it gets even more interesting than from the footage we’ve seen before.

Yep, that’s a Spartan hand there. Now, if you did take the time, like I did, you actually could have seen this in the last episode, however it wasn’t a crystal clear as it is here. We don’t just get a hand though…

Spartan 104. Yes, FRED S-104! Now that’s pretty freakin’ cool. What may seem a little odd to us though is the reaction by the cadets at seeing this. They don’t know of Spartans. Hmm, seems Spartans aren’t yet well known in human space. Oh and take a look at the visor…You’ll see more of that in a later review.

What’s telling is Chyler’s reaction at both Innies and UNSC working together. She seems the most confused and even a bit disappointed at this sudden revelation.

Next: Review part 4 You’re in a Mess

Next we see Doctor Huges tending to Lasky and his Cryo sickness as well as a loss for Cadman Lasky.

The genuine concern that is shown on the doctor’s face is a testament to the actor portraying the role. Lasky is suffering from a sickness to one of the ingredients in the cryo solution. 1 in 50,000.

The wounds have shown up everywhere. His chest, back and wrist mostly.

The doctor tells him to take a days’ rest which Lasky thanks him for. Too bad he won’t get that. (You’ll see why later in the episode)

Next we see Cadman sending a COM. It’s not the usual happy com though. You can hear the thumping of artillery in the background and the camera gets shaky (deliberately) at times.

Cadman relays to Tom that their bud “Ridge” didn’t make it. He describes Ridges death as being one minute he’s there, the next not, and that a “pineapple” (the term used for a grenade) blew him up in four directions. You can see the pain on Cadman’s face, then as he covers it.

It’s a shame thus far that we haven’t seen Tom and Cadman in a scene together. By the looks of it, we never will. That however only adds to the drama and emotions each time Cadman is on screen. Each time I watch a vid of Cadman, it really brings home the real life soldiers of today. Their willingness to sacrifice their own lives for the greater good. Hendler has captured this well, even if this series takes place 500 years in the future.

Next: Review part 3 Chyler and Classified

Before I begin the specific scene reviews, I have to say that this episode is my favorite to date. Cortana seemingly going crazy, Cryo sickness impeding Tom’s career, Chaos, and Covenant. Lots of “C’s” there, but that’s not the grade I’d give this episode. It’s an A+ all the way. There are some intense action sequences near the end. I even audibly gasped as some images reminded me of 9/11 with the twin towers and people falling from the sky.

Folks, sh!t is about to get really REAL!

Alright so let me begin with the first part of Episode 3’s review. Cortana gone crazy.

The CG in this scene is fantastic. You really should take the time to pause several times during this scene as there is so much detail in the CG that just seems to slip by when viewing at normal speed.

In the above pic, we see Cortana has minimalised herself to a glowing orb. Ice crystal float about while also collecting on Chief’s Cryo tube.

Immediately thereafter we see the orb Cortana blast tendrils of red energy towards the tube.

Note however that it’s not destructive energy, but organized as seen in the pic below (the detail you may have missed).

All during this sequence Cortana is having an argument/discussion with herself. She talks about dying for Chief, going crazy, blaming Chief, and so on. It’s become readily apparent that she is heavily fighting rampancy (an AI’s spiral into the throws of death).

However, something seems to stop her. What could it be? Requiem? The Didact? It’s not shown directly, but we do see her calm down.

This is a great scene that foreshadows events to come. I love the fact that each episode starts with something in the current Halo timeline before flashing back to the cadet days of Tom Lasky. In doing so, Stewart Hendler (director of the Forward Unto Dawn series) ties in the complete story, letting we viewers know that there is a link between the past and the present.

Next: Review Part 2: Cryo and Loss

Watch it now, look for my multi-part review later today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbBYG77VeCE&feature=plcp

-Sal