Halo Season 2 Finale Spoilers Ahead

Season 1 of Paramount Plus' Halo TV show set the stage for UNSC's ongoing war with The Covenant but set up Dr. Catherine Halsey and Makee as its prime manipulators and villains. Halo Season 2 introduced a new antagonist in the shape of military man James Ackerson, a prominent character from the Halo franchise. Portrayed by actor Joseph Morgan, Ackerson is working his way up the ranks of ONI and replaces Halsey as Director of the Spartan Program. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that all is not as it seems with this mysterious new boss, as he seeks to manipulate everyone around him. In an ironic twist of events, appearances also turn out to be deceiving for the power-hungry Ackerson himself, who is turned into a scapegoat and becomes something of a new man.

Game ZXC recently sat down with Joseph Morgan to discuss how Ackerson's character has evolved and changed across Halo Season 2. Speaking hypothetically, Morgan also revealed what he'd want to see from Ackerson in a potential Season 3 of the show.

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James Ackerson Has Lost Everything

halo season 2 james ackerson with Parangosky

Talking about Ackerson's character evolution across the series, Morgan explained how Ackerson's experience of sacrificing Reach and finding out Margaret Parangosky's true plans led him to become a man who's lost everything. This is something that could be greatly significant for his character development in a potential season 3 of the show. As Morgan explained:

I think that the experience he went through on Reach sacrificing those people and then finding out the plans that Parangosky had for the Spartan-IIIs, I think that changed everything for him. It sort of turned his worldview on its head, so I feel like going into a potential season three, he'll be a very different person. He's coming from a different place. He's a person who's lost everything.

While Ackerson's actions indicate that he's changed to some extent by the end of Halo season 2's finale, Morgan also feels that Ackerson still needs a "redemption arc." Specifically, his thinks Ackerson needs to fight to get back what he lost, to gain his authority and respect the right way, and to be on the frontlines of the fight.

I think Ackerson needs some kind of redemption arc. He turned things around a little bit, but I feel like he's a guy now, like I said, who's lost everything. I think he needs to be in the trenches with The Flood. He needs to prove himself; he needs to fight his way out of this.

The Significance of James Ackerson's Military Training

halo season 2 james ackerson prison

James Ackerson's military training and background could also be significant for his ongoing character arc, assuming the show continues. Viewers see shades of Ackerson's firearms skills when he helps Soren and his family escape the prison in the finale. Interestingly, Morgan added he hopes to see Ackerson utilize more of his military training:

I think he's a man who craves power still and authority. I think he's going to need to fight to earn that again, so I would love to see him put some of that military training to use. I would love to see him in terrifying situations, forced to ally himself with people who were his enemies, and I think that that will create an interesting conflict.

Diving further into Ackerson's military skills would certainly make sense considering Morgan's own experience in that area from previous roles in movies like 2004's Alexander, something that he also identified as helpful in preparing for the role. While a third Halo season is not yet officially confirmed, it looks like it could potentially take the series in some interesting directions, not only with the development of characters like James Ackerson, but also considering the key events and overall pacing taken in the finale.