Halo
Spoilers are forward for Halo season 2 , episode 3 .
Summary
InHaloseason 2 , installment 3 " Visegrád , " Admiral Jacob Keyes ( Danny Sapani ) mentions the Winter Contingency — a reference to both theHalovideo games ' canon and the imminent Covenant invasion of Reach . Throughout the sophomore excursion ’s third sequence , Keyes obtain himself at the center of several less - than - ideal situations . After Silver Team return from their unsanctioned commission to the Visegrád comms relay , Keyes inform John-117 ( Pablo Schreiber ) that he ’s block up from alive duty . Not even the Master Chief has the dominance to steal a Condor and falsify a flight plan .
give their history , Keyes extend out on a branch for John to protect the Spartan from being court - martialed . When the Chief insists that the MIACobalt Team never left Reach , Keyes separate the Silver Team loss leader that he ’s hanging onto a " delusion . " LikeJames Ackerson ( Joseph Morgan ) , Dr. Halsey ’s replacement , the full admiral turn down to pick up John ’s story about the Covenant already being on the planet . The last human stronghold between the Covenant forces and Earth , theFall of Reach is a pivotalHalomomentin the games ' canon . While the show ’s version of events differs , there ’s definitely some overlap .
Halo time of year 2 , episode 3 " Visegrad , " finally confirms the identity element of Julia — the untested cleaning woman who shoot the breeze Dr. Catherine Halsey in her prison on Reach .
What Is The Winter Contingency Plan?
In theHalogames , theWinter Contingency is the name of a United Nations Space Command ( UNSC ) emergency planthat ’s used in berth wherein Covenant power are present in a human settlement or on a human satellite . loosely speaking , the UNSC separate certain effect under the Winter Contingency umbrella ( viaFandom ) . For example , if compact dispatches refer to a human settlement by name , then it can be assumed that the alien forces are aware of the dependency ’s location . However , other events also fall under the umbrella . Finding evidence of Covenant activity , like plasma scarring , can classify something as Winter Contingency .
Most obviously , take in fighting with Covenant effect would actuate the use of the term . Used as a primal reporting term within the UNSC , Winter Contingency takes precedence over all other reporting price and set phrase as it argue the most at hand of terror . While the Halo TV show does n’t delve into the ins - and - outs of the UNSC report structure , Admiral Keyes suggests to Ackerson that they use the termafter he learnswhat really happened toHalo ’s Cobalt Team . When Keyes cite Winter Contingency , the term seems to go handwriting - in - hand with excretion communications protocol .
How The Winter Contingency References The Halo Games
Used inHalo : Reach , the video recording secret plan that chronicles the Fall of Reach in the coreHalocanon , the Winter Contingency terminus has since surfaced in otherHalogamesand standoff - in materials . SinceReachcenters on the encroachment of a human being - controlled planet , it ’s a quality example of the emergency terminal figure being put into activity . As the last human fastness standing between the Covenant and Earth , Reach is of special tactical grandness . That said , the Office of Naval Intelligence ( ONI ) field broker on Reach welcome supplemental order in the wake of the Winter Contingency directive being employed .
Halo time of year 2 is preparing for the Fall of Reach , sodding with a Covenant villain who may be a brand name - novel Arbiter for the Silver Timeline .
Why Ackerson Dismisses Keyes’ Evacuation Plan In Episode 3
InHalo Infinite , the full term Winter Contingency crops up again as the name of an Operation ( Winter Contingency III ) that boasts holiday- and winter - themed constituent . Needless to say , see the term inHaloseason 2was a fun nod , even if the operating terminus is much more serious in the context of the show . After learning that Master Chief was correct about the Covenant already being on Reach ( and killing Cobalt Team),Admiral Keyes evoke they issue the Winter Contingency and set about to evacuate the denizens of Reach — something Ackerson vehemently match .
Ackerson makes it clear that Keyes ' higher - ups are well aware of the Covenant background encroachment . In fact , the architectural plan is to let the invasion stretch out without alarming the world . While this will allow those in the know , like Ackerson and Keyes , to scarper Reach , it intend there will be massive civilian casualties . clear , the UNSC and ONI see Reach as a fall back cause ; Ackerson might even want to make an example out of the difference of opinion , peculiarly since he actively covered up the Covenant ’s activities on Reach and keptHalo ’s Silver Team grounded .
Custom Image by Kate Bove
