: If you really want to start fleshing John out as a character, if you really
: want to humanize him, then it's time to take off the helmet.

: We need to see facial expressions. Emotions. (Hopefully subtle emotions. This
: is a SPARTAN-II, he's not going to be moping and weeping all over the
: place.)

: This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I stand by it.

: If 343 wanted the Master Chief to remain a blank slate protagonist, then this
: wouldn't be necessary, but that doesn't seem to be what they're doing.

: I hope they have the stones to actually go through with this. Take the leap,
: 343.

I don't think you need to remove the helmet. Take a look at the emotion they managed to channel for Darth Vader. While it *is* limiting, it's also part of the character's mythos at this point, and given that we learn about the Chief through his interactions with Cortana and others, I don't think it's necessary.