Question for those who are good at doing this:
Remove the fact that this is Halo and remove any biases…is this the case of a show being a decent show but mainly bad because it’s attached to a well known property? Or is it bad even if it wouldn’t be known as Halo?
Like would I enjoy this if it were some random Sy-fy TV network series?
Aside from the costumes and main archetypal enemies, it's more of a show with Halo as the background. I got really into the books and all the background at one point and I'm not really a fan of the deviation to be honest. I would have preferred following the canon. I have been rewatching season 1 though and it's not as bad as made out second time round - but it's easier without the immediate reaction to pick out what worked and what didn't. The guy doesn't look or exude Master Chief just as Bella Ramsey doesn't look or exude Ellie. However, Bella's acting is more character driven and accurate, I don't think this guy gives off Master Chief vibes. At all. There was more 'John' in the kid scene with the hanging kid.
If it wasn't Halo I doubt I'd be back for season 2, not because it's terrible but because there are other shows I'd watch ahead of it. In terms of quality it's up and down, a bit like Alice in Borderlands for example, with some very good parts, some meh parts and some wtf parts.
Halsey is a hot waifu too, Miranda is cute and Cortana made a brief but impactful entrance.