- MaxRealflugel
- |
- Elder Mythic Member
Since the release of Halo: Glasslands (BTW, for those not informed it's Glasslands and not Grasslands) there has been a steady stream of confusion (and some disapproving comments)over the way Halsey was portrayed in the novel by Karen Traviss. So I'm going to lay down a few worthy notes concerning the good (or bad) doctor.
So let's start with the basics of what we all know. Catherine Halsey is a genius. And I don't think anyone will disagree with that. She's been one of the most important scientific figures in both the war against the Covenant and the research involved in Forerunner ruins and technology, etc. However, I think it's fair to say that she will not have been completely in the loop with every scrap of research, new discoveries or advances in technology.
She was valuable to ONI, so they used her to supplement their needs, not the other way around, though there are obviously cases where she [Halsey] went about her business in a manner that suited her, using some illegal methods to achieve her aims.
Halsey is effectively the mother of the Spartan-II Program. She did the research. She picked up the pieces from the Orion program. She orchestrated the criteria for the candidates and she most definitely came to the conclusion that the younger the candidate the better.
Some see what she did as the main attribute for the UNSC surviving as long as they did. Some see her decision of using six year-olds as necessary. And some see her as the surrogate mother figure for the Spartans--a woman who did in fact care deeply for them all.
Others, however, such as Osman, Parangosky and members of the Halo community itself see her as an a determined, single-minded scientist intent on creating soldiers from innocent children who should have stayed very firmly with her parents.
You know what, both sides are true.
Halsey is all of the above. She's both Dr. Frankenstein and Mary Poppins. Something needed to be done and she did it. She took the situation at face value and dealt with it without the emotional baggage. She created the best soldiers in the UNSC and they did the job of taking on the enemy in their stride.
But the war is over, and questions are being asked.
Was what she did, taking those children at that age, the right thing? Did her actions single-handedly stave off defeat for mankind? Should she be punished? Should she carry on with her work?
Yes!
And for those who don't like the way the other characters view her, realise this: As a Spartan, you've just found out that the war has now finished. You've become aware of what fully transpired in your creation. You are given the chance to read your personal file. Your parents are still alive.
A lot of you won't be able to put yourself in this position, simply because we all like to view the Spartans as the perfect soldiers--fearless, loyal and determined. And because some of you don't have children.
I believe a lot of people have missed the point entirely with Glasslands. It's not about Halsey, it's about those who were affected by her. It's about how they view her, not us.
Cue backlash, comments, shouting and general mud slinging...