HaloRadar: Chief, Master or Servant?

Jan 4, 2008

For more of our weekly HaloRadar coverage, clickhere.

By all accounts Spartan 117, or colloquially the “Master Chief,” is one tough hombre. The genetically enhanced cybernetic supersoldier can single-handedly turn the tides of battle from hapless defeat to crushing triumph without even getting a hangnail. The Chief ranks among the most bad-ass game characters in history, right? Right??

We thought so too, until a recent skull run changed our minds. Have you ever actually listened to the way the other characters bark orders at the Chief? If Master Chief is such a tough guy, why is someone always yanking his chain? When it isn’t Cortana, it’s Commander Keyes. Even Sgt. Johnson gets in on the action. Sure, the Grunts and rank-and-file soldiers show an appropriate level of respect, but the Chief reverts to submissive lapdog any time anyone with a shred of authority comes into the picture (especially when it’s a woman in uniform.)

A “chief” is supposed to be the head of the tribe, the decision-maker, the figure in whom all power resides. Adding “master” to the moniker only heightens the inference that Spartan 117 should be head honcho. But our exclusive video reveals a shocking pattern of subservience that will have you rethinking Master Chief’s role in the Halo universe. Another takeaway is that Halo 3’s dialog and mission structure adheres to a strict and surprisingly repetitive template. But you knew that already so go ahead and roll your eyes now, then point them at the video player to see conclusive proof that Master Chief should actually be named Subordinate Underling.

For more of our weekly HaloRadar coverage, clickhere.

By all accounts Spartan 117, or colloquially the “Master Chief,” is one tough hombre. The genetically enhanced cybernetic supersoldier can single-handedly turn the tides of battle from hapless defeat to crushing triumph without even getting a hangnail. The Chief ranks among the most bad-ass game characters in history, right? Right??

We thought so too, until a recent skull run changed our minds. Have you ever actually listened to the way the other characters bark orders at the Chief? If Master Chief is such a tough guy, why is someone always yanking his chain? When it isn’t Cortana, it’s Commander Keyes. Even Sgt. Johnson gets in on the action. Sure, the Grunts and rank-and-file soldiers show an appropriate level of respect, but the Chief reverts to submissive lapdog any time anyone with a shred of authority comes into the picture (especially when it’s a woman in uniform.)

A “chief” is supposed to be the head of the tribe, the decision-maker, the figure in whom all power resides. Adding “master” to the moniker only heightens the inference that Spartan 117 should be head honcho. But our exclusive video reveals a shocking pattern of subservience that will have you rethinking Master Chief’s role in the Halo universe. Another takeaway is that Halo 3’s dialog and mission structure adheres to a strict and surprisingly repetitive template. But you knew that already so go ahead and roll your eyes now, then point them at the video player to see conclusive proof that Master Chief should actually be named Subordinate Underling.