| "Contact" | |
|---|---|
| Halo episode | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Contact_(Halo)_Face_Reveal.png) Master Chief (played by Pablo Schreiber) takes off his helmet and reveals his face. This scene was subject to commentary amongst critics and controversy amongst fans.[1][2] | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Otto Bathurst |
| Written by | |
| Produced by |
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| Cinematography by | Karl Walter Lindenlaub |
| Editing by | Aaron Marshall |
| Original release date | March 24, 2022 |
| Running time | 59 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
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"Contact" is the series premiere of the American military science fiction television series Halo. Written by Kyle Killen and Steven Kane and directed by Otto Bathurst, the episode was released on the streaming service Paramount+ on March 24, 2022. In the episode, a rebellious settlement on the planet of Madrigal, occupied by the United Nations Space Command, is massacred by a group of Covenant, leaving only one survivor. Led by Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, a unit of Spartans deters the attack. Whilst investigating the origins of the invasion, John encounters an artifact that surfaces his suppressed childhood memories.
The series was first announced in May 2013, with development of it continuing for nearly a decade. During the development, the release target changed from Showtime to Paramount+. Upon release, "Contact" received a mixed response from critics, with praise towards the narrative established separately from the games, mixed opinions on the action scenes, and a negative response towards the quality of the episode's CGI animation. Additionally, a scene where the Master Chief removes his helmet and reveals his face—something that had never occurred in the games—prompted widespread discussion from critics and fans alike.