Well, here it is. I've been wanting to write this thread for a long time, but I never really got the time to properly formally write it. Indeed, I don't really have that time now either. So instead this thread will be much more informal than I'd previously hoped. However, that shouldn't really diminish the credibility of what I'm writing. Now, this is a thread about Halo 4. Specifically the relationship between Chief and Cortana. And it portrays Halo 4 in a positive light. Unfortunately, even mentioning Halo 4 in a remotely positive light on these forums is enough to spur some over idealistic bada$$es to run in and start insulting you for your opinion. So if you're one of those people, this thread is not for you. GTFO. Debating Halo 4 with you people is a lot like walking into a Solitary confinement zone and headbutting someone. Not only have you accomplished absolutely nothing of value, you've ended up inflicting damage to your own head and starting a long term confrontation with a person who's probably mentally unstable. In light of this, I have to tell you to refrain from insulting the quality of the [i]game[/i] in this thread should you choose to participate in a discussion in here, and instead point to where you disagree with my analysis for truly legitimate criticism. Basically, if you're thinking of coming in here and saying "well yeah but the game still sucks for reason X," this isn't the thread for you. Now that I've basically warded off 85% of the population of these forums, it's time to get to what I actually want to say. Throughout Halo's history we've had some interesting narrative threads to consider. Take, for example, the Precursors and how they throw the purpose of life into question. Or how Halo 3 ODST's narrative paralleled the events of [i]The Divine Comedy.[/i] All intriguing in their own ways. However, when you think about the core story of the central protagonist, Master Chief, as a character, it's largely a dull and bleak affair in the video game settings he makes appearances in. Until Halo 4. Using the titular character and his equally iconic AI companion, the storyline manages to craft a relationship that not only evolves character, but builds it as well. To truly see how much Halo 4 develops Master Chief's character, we must first see what the character is originally defined as by the game. One can easily see that his personality has been left intact throughout the opening acts of the game. He is stoic, calm, and focused on the mission. Indeed, as I move forward with my analysis, the traits, specifically the last one, are shown to be important precedents to the evolutions of his character throughout the narrative. However, crucial context is given for [i]why[/i] he is this way. In the prologue, Dr. Halsey's interrogator mentions that Spartans routinely exhibit sociopathic tendencies. Essentially, the formation of true friendships and close relationships in general is made almost impossible. More importantly, the interrogator specifically addresses Master Chief himself. “Do you think the Master Chief succeeded because he was, at his core, broken?” This is essentially the thesis the entire narrative of the Reclaimer Trilogy will try to explore. What is Master Chief, at his core? If we push Master Chief out of his “comfort zone” (as Christopher Schlerf states during “A Hero Awakens”), we will be able to see what Chief truly is at his core by seeing how he will react. And that’s what [i]Halo 4[/i] is all about. Setting the table and stripping Chief down to his absolute self. If you think about it, Master Chief is actually not just himself anymore. Given his relationship with Cortana, he’s essentially become a fusion of both himself and Cortana. Not literally, but in psychological terms. Whereas Chief has always been the one to get the mission done, Cortana has always given him a directive, both directly and indirectly. This goes hand in hand with how Chief is focused on the mission- Cortana [i]gives[/i] him a mission to focus on. Indeed, 343’s Kenneth Scott states this in “A Hero Awakens.” "Chief and Cortana aren't the same person, but she's always been the reflection of his humanity." Cortana substitutes for Chief’s human side. In this way, she halts any impulsive side of him from taking over, and keeps him at his peak efficiency. Indeed, in the prologue Cortana appears exactly when Halsey states that she “provided the tools to maintain that efficiency.” That is, she provides an outlet for him to stop focusing on his [i]desires[/i] and instead to focus on the mission. Even when she isn’t there, Chief manages to incorporate her with the mission as well, as can be seen in Halo 3. But he’s never truly faced the reality of having his [i]emotions[/i] dictate his relationship with her. He’s always been able to rationalize it away. Until Halo 4’s ending. Now that we’ve got the preset context of the Chief, we can start to see how the narrative evolves him. As said before, Halo 4 is all about stripping Chief down to his core, and pushing him out of his comfort zone. The narrative does this by attacking what is arguably the most important element of Chief himself- Cortana. One can easily see the discomfort Chief experiences throughout the narrative through his body language as he slowly starts to realize his attachment to Cortana supersedes the mere “mission” classification he’s given it. The development truly takes off at the end of Reclaimer. When Captain Del Rio gives Chief direct orders, for the first time in the series, he disobeys them. While Del Rio consistently asks Chief to give Cortana back to him, he doesn’t comply. Perhaps more importantly, he deflects the situation by focusing on the mission again. Instead of denying Del Rio’s requests by talking specifically about Cortana, we get Chief talking about the predicament regarding the Didact- “The Didact has to be stopped. If you won’t do that, I will.” As the game progresses, Chief’s character is forced into more situations that make him confront his personal stake in Cortana. Just look at “Composer.” In the period of denouement after the scene where the team at Ivanoff Station is composed, Cortana confronts Master Chief directly about the reality of the situation involving her. While he has no hesitation in simply passing off the deaths at Ivanoff Station as part of the mission (“And more will follow if the Didact reaches Earth”), when Cortana brings up her personal side (“It won’t be me”), the Chief is clearly affected. By the way we can see Master Chief respond (awkwardly checking his assault rifle), it is clear the Chief is distressed by the personal stake that’s clawing its way out in the conversation. And in the ending to the game, it does find its way out. In the most absolutely natural, beautiful way I can possibly think of. After saving Chief from the Didact, Cortana meets Chief for one final goodbye. Master Chief, deciding once again to confront the situation in the way he always has, in the way he has become accustomed to, then truly realizes the reality of their relationship. No more rationalization, no more lies. Almost every single line in the ending plays a part in making this as natural as possible. Let’s take a look at them then. Master Chief immediately calls out to Cortana. “Cortana, do you read? Cortana, come in.” The militaristic approach to the conversation (using typical jargon) shows that Chief still realizes Cortana as part of the mission. More significantly, when Cortana reappears, she mentions that Chief “did it.” Just like he always does. As the Didact’s vessel has been crippled and the Forerunner plot stopped, Chief has completed his mission. He now has to have all his focus on Cortana. This removes the one thing that he fell back on to try and deflect his feelings about his predicaments with Cortana. Master Chief’s initial curiosity about Cortana’s reappearance is erased within moments as he focuses on what to do next. He once again contacts Cortana for a directive (as he always has). “So how do we get out of here?” And this is when Cortana breaks the news to Chief- this isn’t going to be like it always was. “I’m not coming with you this time.” Chief reacts with clear surprise. “What?!” Its drives the nail home- he’s going to have to react to this personally. After Cortana clarifies the circumstances behind the situation, Chief tries to react in his regular, stoic, military fashion- once again trying to slip into his “comfort zone.” He’s trying to say that that’s what should happen- that’s what has always happened, isn’t it? “No. That’s not… we go together.” It’s a hopeless denial, but he largely maintains his stoic composure. And when Cortana once again affirms that it’s a scenario that Chief can’t change, Chief loses that composure. “I am not leaving you here.” The hopelessness of his plea is exemplified by his faltering voice. He knows he can’t save her, but he [i]has[/i] to. He always wins. Then we get to the [i]beautiful[/i] metaphor of Cortana touching John- Chief brushing with the reflection of his humanity one final time before it goes away and he has to find his own version of it. The Chief then relates everything back to a mission status once again. “It was my job to take care of you.” But Cortana shatters this with her response. “It was our job to take care of each other… and we did.” It was never just another part of the mission. He has absolutely no other way to rationalize it off now. This is a relationship that transcends the boundaries that he previously thought grounded it. He’s clearly taken aback by this kind of realization, judging by his response to Cortana. “Cortana… please…” [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post?id=61762114&path=1]Continuation[/url]