The Halo TV show has arrived, but it's operating under a different set of loose parameters compared to the video game series it is based on. For that reason, casual sci-fi fans who've never played the games might be a little confused as to what's happening, which is why it's good to take a quick course in basic Halo knowledge.
These are the elements from the video game franchise that can help first-time viewers understand Halo's televised narrative a bit better. From the aliens known as the Covenant, to the Master Chief's origins, and even characters yet to make an appearance, it's good to know the basics before diving into the show.
The Covenant
For those who have no idea what those large hulking aliens were at the beginning of the pilot episode, they're part of the Covenant, a fanatical extraterrestrial religious organization with apocalyptic ambitions. The aliens in question are known as Sangheili, otherwise referred to as "Elites" for their special status within Covenant ranks.
They're not the only alien races that make up the Covenant, either. Unggoy, Kig-Yar, Brutes, and Mgalekgolo are just a few of the species that make up this hegemony, and they all serve specific roles within Covenant hierarchy. They also wield some of the most iconic weapons in the Halo gaming franchise, which will probably be showcased in later episodes.
The Insurrectionists
Insurrectionists comprise a percentage of humans who want to live completely autonomously outside of the Unified Earth Government and the UNSC. That desire has put them at odds with both, which has led to multiple conflicts over the years, many of which were bloody.
The Madrigal insurrectionists seen at the start of the first episode are at odds with the UNSC in particular, at least until the Covenant arrived to provide a more menacing threat. In the game timeline, the insurrection led to a battle for control of the Outer Colonies, and it began over 50 years prior to the year established in the pilot TV episode.
Captain Keyes
Captain Keyes was one of the central figures in the original Halo game, one of the best FPS shooters of all time. He was Captain of the Pillar of Autumn, a ship which found itself attacked by Covenant forces, and was later drawn to a mysterious ring-world nicknamed Halo. It was there that Keyes helped coordinate a battle against the Covenant for possession of the ring.
Later, Keyes was killed when his body was infected by a parasitic lifeform known as The Flood, which the Halo rings were designed to contain. Rather than allow his body to be fully consumed by the parasite, the Master Chief performed a mercy killing, then broke the news to his daughter Miranda, who went on to become instrumental in the war against the Covenant.
Catherine Halsey's Importance
Catherine Halsey was introduced in the pilot episode, but those who've never played the games might not realize her importance. It was she who designed and executed the infamous Spartan-II Project, a clandestine and highly controversial military initiative that involved breeding super-soldiers.
She was also an expert at deciphering ancient technology, particularly Forerunner in origin, and her analytical skills were considered top of the class. She also created the AI known as Cortana, which was based on her own brainwaves and intellect.
Cortana's Origins
Cortana is widely regarded as the second-most important character in the Halo universe, and she's been around since the beginning. She's an artificial intelligence constructed from the mind and skill set of Catherine Halsey, and also modeled upon her.
To create Cortana, Halsey used a process called flash cloning, in which she copied herself numerous times to achieve the desired output. She worked clandestinely to create the AI, which was later paired with the Master Chief, forming a dynamite fighting team.
The Forerunners
When it comes to intergalactic dynasties, the Forerunners take the cake. They were an incredibly advanced alien species who spread out across numerous systems within the Milky Way galaxy, rising to achieve feats of technological and biological superiority.
The Forerunners essentially went extinct when the Halo rings were activated in order to contain the Flood, a highly dangerous parasitic species. Before that fateful event, they took their cues from the Precursors, an even more powerful civilization.
Halo Rings
The Halo rings, also known as Halo Arrays, were massive superstructures tied to a galactic network and used as a weapons system in times of crisis. They were also used as biological research facilities, particularly when it came to determining how various forms of life reacted to Flood infection.
The rings were essentially worlds unto themselves, with thriving ecosystems, weather patterns, flora, and fauna. They were instrumental in starving out the Flood by killing all sentient life in the galaxy, which was considered a last-ditch alternative in the face of defeat.
The Spartan-II Program
Spartans are more than just the sum of their armor and advanced weaponry. Casual viewers and those new to the Halo franchise may not be aware just how deep the story goes, but Spartans represent the pinnacle of biological and genetic condition, for the purpose of creating the ultimate breed of soldier.
The children in question were stolen from their families and subjected to a series of experiments and augmentations. Many died during the sessions, which was an attempt to weed out the weak from the strong. The Master Chief is considered the ultimate byproduct of the Spartan-II program.
The Flood
Halo Infinite fans had to brush up on a few facts before playing, which also included the origins of the Flood, a parasitic form of life that infected various sentient life forms and used them as hosts to proliferate their spread. They were considered extremely dangerous, and prone to spreading like a virulent plague if not kept in check. They also showed signs of intelligence and problem-solving skills.
As more and more subjects are infected, the Flood grows their combined hive mind intelligence to the point where a single organism known as a Gravemind becomes the central nexus for the entire infestation. They were so hazardous that the Forerunners used the Halo Arrays to wipe out all sentient life in the galaxy, thus starving them of a food supply.
The Master Chief
The Master Chief also goes by the codename John-117, a prominent number on his specialized MJOLNIR armor. He was taken from his family at a young age, programmed, conditioned, and experimented on to produce a highly lethal form of super soldier for use in high-risk military operations.
He was replaced by a flash clone which was used to cover up his kidnapping and was designed to die of apparent natural causes so that no questions were ever asked. Controversial as it was, John-117 was instrumental in stopping the Covenant, as well as several other massive galactic threats. The Master Chief's memorable quotes are enough to give viewers an indication of the original character.