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This topic has moved here: Subject: John must die at the end of Halo 6...
  • Subject: John must die at the end of Halo 6...
Subject: John must die at the end of Halo 6...

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

... otherwise the player is left with no satisfaction.

A great man named Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a great series once called Sherlock Holmes, after many years of writing the adventures of his iconic character he wrote to his mother saying, "I think of slaying Holmes and winding him up for good and all. He takes my mind from better things." His mother responded, "You may do what you deem fit, but the crowds will not take this lightheartedly."

This is absolutely applicable to Halo, Doyle justified the killing-off of Sherlock by saying that the protagonist was at the height of his story in the most important part of his life and once that was over he must be done away with because any story following that same character will be mundane in comparison.

Approaching us now is the Reclaimer Trilogy, we have been told by 343 that they have a definite end planned for the series, we have also been told that John faces an "ancient enemy that threatens the entire universe", hyperbole or not this statement clearly shows us that this will be the most dangerous and important thing that John has to go through. This also means that in order for any satisfying conclusion to be reached, John, like Sherlock Holmes, the ever-enduring hero, has to die.

Let's face it, after this ancient enemy has been defeated and the universe is forever safe, what else is left for John to do? What else is left for any Spartan to do? I don't see any of them being integrated into normal society and settling down with a family after being honourably discharged, with no threat around they cease to have a purpose and that brings down the character in the eyes of the player. For a super-soldier bred for a life of warfare to die anywhere other than the battlefield would be an insult, ergo in order for the Reclaimer Trilogy to deliver a truly satisfying ending to the character arc of John, he must die.

  • 12.27.2011 2:42 PM PDT

Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.

  • 12.27.2011 2:45 PM PDT
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"Time was your ally human. But now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners....have returned. And this tomb... is now yours". - The Didact

I want him too be MIA but not in the way of Halo 3 where it was confirmed that he is alive.

  • 12.27.2011 2:46 PM PDT
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Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.

I'm sure you've said this before, kindly name me 5 recent examples of this.

  • 12.27.2011 2:49 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.


Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.


I disagree, it's not cliche at all. Too many other series have the protagonist conclude with a happily ever after, the only series I've truly felt content with this kind of ending is LOTR where Frodo goes to the Grey Havens and leaves the Shire behind.

And it's not lazy at all, there's absolutely no point in keeping John alive post-Halo 6 once everything is dealt with. He'll have no other purpose in life, maybe they could make like an Arby 'n' the Chief sitcom after the universe is saved but there's nothing left for John other than the species he fights to protect.

  • 12.27.2011 2:49 PM PDT

In a universe of infinite wonder and all this talk of 'great journeys' and the allure of other galaxies, death would be a very dull end for Master Chief.

  • 12.27.2011 2:51 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Keeping the hero alive is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a charcater's arc.

  • 12.27.2011 2:53 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.


Posted by: Wolverfrog
In a universe of infinite wonder and all this talk of 'great journeys' and the allure of other galaxies, death would be a very dull end for Master Chief.


"To the well organised mind, death is but the next great adventure."

Death isn't a dull end at all, I could reword your post into:
In a universe of infinite wonder and all this talk of 'the force' and the allure of other galaxies, death would be a very dull end for Darth Vader.

And it wasn't, it was the perfect end for him, the same way that death was the perfect end for Sherlock, Don Corleone, Dom etc. Death reminds us that these characters are human, no matter what feats they are capable of they're still human.

  • 12.27.2011 2:56 PM PDT

Part of The Heroes Journey requires the Main Character to Die and be reborn again.

  • 12.27.2011 2:57 PM PDT

The bible is the best book Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM A PROUD CHRISTIAN. HALO IS AWESOME BUT GOD IS MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!
Did you knew that JESUSdied for you?


Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.

  • 12.27.2011 2:58 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: BestSpartan117

Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.


You guys say that yet ignore the fact the hero rarely dies in any media nowadays.

  • 12.27.2011 3:00 PM PDT

How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.

Those looking for a group to join, I suggest you join Gamma Company Spartans (check my groups page). We are a friendly and active community always looking for more members.

I guess he would have to die (I thought he was going to die at Halo 4?). Or, it would be an unfinished ending to be speculated on.

  • 12.27.2011 3:07 PM PDT

The bible is the best book Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM A PROUD CHRISTIAN. HALO IS AWESOME BUT GOD IS MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!
Did you knew that JESUSdied for you?

.... and yet he resurrected holmes.
Good stories can be endless just ask greg weisman/michael ende.
Posted by: ajw34307
... otherwise the player is left with no satisfaction.

A great man named Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a great series once called Sherlock Holmes, after many years of writing the adventures of his iconic character he wrote to his mother saying, "I think of slaying Holmes and winding him up for good and all. He takes my mind from better things." His mother responded, "You may do what you deem fit, but the crowds will not take this lightheartedly."

This is absolutely applicable to Halo, Doyle justified the killing-off of Sherlock by saying that the protagonist was at the height of his story in the most important part of his life and once that was over he must be done away with because any story following that same character will be mundane in comparison.

Approaching us now is the Reclaimer Trilogy, we have been told by 343 that they have a definite end planned for the series, we have also been told that John faces an "ancient enemy that threatens the entire universe", hyperbole or not this statement clearly shows us that this will be the most dangerous and important thing that John has to go through. This also means that in order for any satisfying conclusion to be reached, John, like Sherlock Holmes, the ever-enduring hero, has to die.

Let's face it, after this ancient enemy has been defeated and the universe is forever safe, what else is left for John to do? What else is left for any Spartan to do? I don't see any of them being integrated into normal society and settling down with a family after being honourably discharged, with no threat around they cease to have a purpose and that brings down the character in the eyes of the player. For a super-soldier bred for a life of warfare to die anywhere other than the battlefield would be an insult, ergo in order for the Reclaimer Trilogy to deliver a truly satisfying ending to the character arc of John, he must die.


[Edited on 12.27.2011 3:11 PM PST]

  • 12.27.2011 3:10 PM PDT

An old friend.


Posted by: wcd45

Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.

I'm sure you've said this before, kindly name me 5 recent examples of this.


Neo - The Matrix, Captain John H. Miller - Saving Private Ryan, Darth Vader - Star Wars, Everyone - The Departed, Leonidas - 300, The same main character dies 100 times - The Prestige

  • 12.27.2011 3:11 PM PDT

-blam!- Was that actually blammed out? Or did I just type it? You'll never know.

Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.

Almost as much as keeping them alive.

  • 12.27.2011 3:14 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Why exactly are you guys so hellbent on keeping Chief alive? Can no other character fill his void?

  • 12.27.2011 3:17 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Posted by: BestSpartan117
.... and yet he resurrected holmes.
Good stories can be endless just ask greg weisman/michael ende.


Er... no he didn't, The Final Problem was the last canonical piece of Sherlock material by Doyle...

  • 12.27.2011 3:18 PM PDT

Citizens of Me! The cruelty of the old Pharaoh is a thing of the past. Let a whole new wave of cruelty wash over this lazy land.

Hear the word of Pharaoh. Build unto me a statue of ridiculous proportion. One billion cubits in height......that I might be remembered for all eternity!

And be quick about it!

I think that they can just have him survive, and just not milk the franchise beyond the point of reason.

Also Cortana should become a real girl at the end

  • 12.27.2011 3:19 PM PDT

Citizens of Me! The cruelty of the old Pharaoh is a thing of the past. Let a whole new wave of cruelty wash over this lazy land.

Hear the word of Pharaoh. Build unto me a statue of ridiculous proportion. One billion cubits in height......that I might be remembered for all eternity!

And be quick about it!

Also if the Chief dies, Cortana should live on to tell his story or something, and perhaps she could be upgraded with Forerunner software to repair her rampancy.

  • 12.27.2011 3:22 PM PDT


Posted by: dahuterschuter
Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.

Almost as much as keeping them alive.


Another Cliche that's happening is the "Hero wins, but is either heavily wounded/tired."

Call of Duty endings much?

  • 12.27.2011 3:23 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.


Posted by: Madmaxepic
Also Cortana should become a real girl at the end


No.

  • 12.27.2011 3:25 PM PDT


Posted by: Wolverfrog
Except the hero dying is a ridiculously cliche and lazy way to conclude a character's arc.


I is not cliche or lazy of there is a deeper meaning behind his death. Do you have any reason for him to live besides somehow thinking it's "cliche?"

  • 12.27.2011 3:25 PM PDT

Do you not know that spartans never die. They are just missing in action

  • 12.27.2011 3:29 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: HALO worrier XL
Do you not know that spartans never die. They are just missing in action


This is the one thing I hate about Reach, this -blam!- saying being used way too damn much.

  • 12.27.2011 3:30 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.


Posted by: DecepticonCobra
Posted by: HALO worrier XL
Do you not know that spartans never die. They are just missing in action


This is the one thing I hate about Reach, this -blam!- saying being used way too damn much.


Indeed. I liked it before Reach when few people read the books and so this "Spartans never die" motto was endearing rather than something that makes me want to choke the nearest puppy...

  • 12.27.2011 3:34 PM PDT