Yep. (Destiny)

by Kermit , Raleigh, NC, Friday, April 08, 2022, 11:02 (958 days ago) @ Cody Miller

We played the game, writers. We all heard her say that to him once. Ugh.

The line also serves another purpose, you know? It may still be just as clunky, but it also signifies that the Chief is actually now reflecting on that statement.

Wouldn't we assume the latter regardless? If we remember that Cortana said that to him, then the Chief does. The problem is the 343 writers didn't trust us to recognize a callback when we heard one. That's how it felt to me. Looking back at the old thread, ibeechu made the point I think you're making, which is that the Chief has never been that reflective, and the line makes it clear that now he is. I thought we got the same through body language, but it's a fair point.

I agree that the body language did a great job of communicating that; at the same time, I think folks give "the audience" too much credit. There's plenty of overt stuff people seem to miss as well.

I think punctuating that the Chief is reflecting for seemingly the first time in the games was important, even if it felt heavy handed. I try my best to forgive smaller issues like this because I understand that they're compromises made for the sake of the wider audience.

Then do it more gracefully. People don't just talk their internal monologue out loud. Have the MC pull out and glance at the chip Cortana lived on… or something else non verbal that communicates the same thing.

Show, don't tell.