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Here is my brilliant analysis
Posted By: General Battuta <seth.dickinson@gmail.com>Date: 2/17/11 10:35 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Worst line of the series, period. (Kermit)


: Battuta, I'm surprised at you. This line would be ripped apart in a workshop
: for what it is--a mistake based on a misunderstanding of a common
: idiomatic English phrase.

This line would go over fine in a workshop - your misunderstanding would be corrected. I'll do so now.

The first time it's used, Johnson asks the Arbiter and the Chief to lay off each other. The Arbiter responds 'were it so easy'. He uses the phrase correctly, by your definition - "You will encounter more problems of greater difficulty in your attempts at your task than you expect."

The Arbiter is saying a couple things here:
'Were it so easy [for us to abandon our past grievances]'. He refers to both himself and the Chief and to his two species, foreshadowing the later discussion after Floodgate. Halo 3 doesn't do much with this theme, but it's there.

Second, 'Were it so easy [for him to kill me]'. It's a macho assertion that he can take the Chief, and a veiled threat of sorts.

These are correct usages of the idiom.

The second time it's used is when the Arbiter and Hood speak at the end. Hood mourns the Chief's death, saying, 'It's hard to believe he's dead.'

The Arbiter replies:

'Were it so easy [to kill him]'. Here he is calling back to his desire, expressed in Halo 2, to kill the Chief, and also ruefully acknowledging that he has come to respect the Chief. He believes the Chief is still alive, because he is one tough hombre.

I'll entertain arguments that this is not a well-written line, but arguing that it's bad because the idiom was deployed incorrectly is incorrect.


Message Index




Replies:

'Were it so easy.'SonofMacPhisto 2/16/11 11:33 p.m.
     Halo 3's Storytelling...uberfoop 2/17/11 12:03 a.m.
           Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Hawaiian Pig 2/17/11 12:09 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...GrimBrother One 2/17/11 12:19 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Narcogen 2/17/11 12:30 a.m.
                       Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Hawaiian Pig 2/17/11 12:53 a.m.
                             Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...thebruce0 2/17/11 9:22 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Flynn J Taggart 2/17/11 1:49 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 1:59 a.m.
                       Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Hawaiian Pig 2/17/11 2:20 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Kaidon 047 2/17/11 6:57 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...ManKitten 2/17/11 9:29 a.m.
           Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 1:54 a.m.
           Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...The BS Police 2/17/11 2:43 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Avateur 2/17/11 6:33 a.m.
           Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Jillybean 2/17/11 10:49 a.m.
                 Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Narcogen 2/17/11 10:34 p.m.
                       Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...Jillybean 2/18/11 10:57 a.m.
           Upon further consideration.uberfoop 2/17/11 3:25 p.m.
                 Re: Upon further consideration.Hawaiian Pig 2/17/11 4:10 p.m.
                 Re: Upon further consideration.Metalingus627 2/17/11 5:29 p.m.
                       Re: Upon further consideration.Narcogen 2/17/11 10:32 p.m.
                             Re: Upon further consideration.Flynn J Taggart 2/18/11 12:28 a.m.
     It's a beautiful cutscene.padraig08 2/17/11 12:05 a.m.
           Re: It's a beautiful cutscene.uberfoop 2/17/11 12:21 a.m.
           Re: It's a beautiful cutscene.Stephen L. (SoundEffect) 2/17/11 6:42 a.m.
     The cutscene that does it for me is...GrimBrother One 2/17/11 12:25 a.m.
           Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...Jaydee 2/17/11 12:38 a.m.
           Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 1:49 a.m.
           Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...Leviathan 2/17/11 2:42 a.m.
                 Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...Stephen L. (SoundEffect) 2/17/11 6:45 a.m.
           completely agree, one of my favorites for sure *NM*T07WRX5 2/17/11 2:19 p.m.
           Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...Narcogen 2/17/11 10:28 p.m.
           This^ *NM*Kermit 2/17/11 11:15 p.m.
     Re: 'Were it so easy.'Jaydee 2/17/11 12:28 a.m.
           Re: 'Were it so easy.'SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 2:06 a.m.
                 Re: 'Were it so easy.'Leviathan 2/17/11 2:08 a.m.
                       Re: 'Were it so easy.'SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 2:11 a.m.
                             Re: 'Were it so easy.'Leviathan 2/17/11 2:18 a.m.
                                   Re: 'Were it so easy.'SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 2:20 a.m.
                                         Re: 'Were it so easy.'Leviathan 2/17/11 2:36 a.m.
     Worst line of the series, period.Kermit 2/17/11 5:49 a.m.
           Re: Worst line of the series, period.Azo 'Galvat 2/17/11 7:47 a.m.
                 Re: Worst line of the series, period.General Battuta 2/17/11 8:28 a.m.
                       Same. *NM*Beckx 2/17/11 9:35 a.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.kanbo 2/17/11 10:03 a.m.
                 Re: Worst line of the series, period.Kermit 2/17/11 10:10 a.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.Beckx 2/17/11 10:14 a.m.
                             Their, there, they're, thar. *NM*Beckx 2/17/11 10:15 a.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.Kermit 2/17/11 10:20 a.m.
                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.Beckx 2/17/11 10:23 a.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.Schooly D 2/17/11 10:26 a.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.General Battuta 2/17/11 10:29 a.m.
                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.ManKitten 2/17/11 10:32 a.m.
                                         Nicely phoneticized *NM*thebruce0 2/17/11 10:44 a.m.
                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 1:30 p.m.
                                         Re: Worst line of the series, period.Avateur 2/17/11 2:10 p.m.
                                               Re: Worst line of the series, period.Beckx 2/17/11 4:12 p.m.
                                                     Re: Worst line of the series, period.Avateur 2/17/11 6:22 p.m.
                                                           Re: Worst line of the series, period.Leisandir 2/18/11 10:39 p.m.
                                                                 Re: Worst line of the series, period.Avateur 2/18/11 11:09 p.m.
                                                                 Re: Worst line of the series, period.General Battuta 2/18/11 11:58 p.m.
                                                                 Re: Worst line of the series, period.uberfoop 2/19/11 12:12 a.m.
                                                                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.Leisandir 2/19/11 1:06 a.m.
                                                                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.Hawaiian Pig 2/19/11 1:11 a.m.
                                                                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.Leisandir 2/19/11 11:06 a.m.
                                                                                         Re: Worst line of the series, period.Avateur 2/19/11 2:24 p.m.
                                                                                               Re: Worst line of the series, period.Leisandir 2/19/11 2:42 p.m.
                                                                                                     Re: Worst line of the series, period.uberfoop 2/19/11 3:16 p.m.
                                                                                                           Re: Worst line of the series, period.General Battuta 2/19/11 4:32 p.m.
                                                                                                           Re: Worst line of the series, period.SonofMacPhisto 2/19/11 4:49 p.m.
                                                                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.uberfoop 2/19/11 2:53 a.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.Beckx 2/17/11 10:33 a.m.
                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.NsU Soldier 2/17/11 11:47 a.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.Azo 'Galvat 2/17/11 10:43 a.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.Narcogen 2/17/11 10:27 p.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.Stephen L. (SoundEffect) 2/17/11 10:32 a.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.thebruce0 2/17/11 10:53 a.m.
                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.Stephen L. (SoundEffect) 2/17/11 11:10 a.m.
                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.JDQuackers 2/17/11 1:11 p.m.
                                         Re: Worst line of the series, period.thebruce0 2/17/11 1:55 p.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.Hawaiian Pig 2/17/11 3:49 p.m.
                                   Re: Worst line of the series, period.Stephen L. (SoundEffect) 2/17/11 7:16 p.m.
                                         Re: Worst line of the series, period.DEEP NNN 2/17/11 7:51 p.m.
                                         Re: Worst line of the series, period.thebruce0 2/17/11 10:33 p.m.
                             Re: Worst line of the series, period.Narcogen 2/17/11 10:33 p.m.
                       Here is my brilliant analysisGeneral Battuta 2/17/11 10:35 a.m.
                             My Thoughts Exactly *NM*Bones153 2/17/11 10:43 a.m.
                             Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalKermit 2/17/11 10:53 a.m.
                                   Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalGeneral Battuta 2/17/11 10:59 a.m.
                                         ugh pardon typoes *NM*General Battuta 2/17/11 10:59 a.m.
                                         Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalKermit 2/17/11 11:50 a.m.
                                               Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalGeneral Battuta 2/17/11 11:55 a.m.
                                                     Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalKermit 2/17/11 11:59 a.m.
                                                     I think someone's too smart for their own good.The Loot 2/17/11 2:44 p.m.
                                                           Re: I think someone's too smart for their own goodKermit 2/17/11 4:31 p.m.
                                   Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal343winks. 2/17/11 7:36 p.m.
                                         Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalKermit 2/17/11 11:02 p.m.
                                               Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalGeneral Battuta 2/18/11 12:22 a.m.
                                                     Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalKermit 2/18/11 1:22 a.m.
                                                           Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttalGeneral Battuta 2/18/11 8:29 a.m.
                                                     ^This *NM*SonofMacPhisto 2/18/11 3:17 p.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.Anton P. Nym (aka Steve) 2/17/11 10:46 a.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.Azo 'Galvat 2/17/11 11:07 a.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.ZackDark 2/17/11 5:16 p.m.
                       Re: Worst line of the series, period.343winks. 2/17/11 7:11 p.m.
           "To War" would like to have a word with you. *NM*Bones153 2/17/11 8:01 a.m.
                 Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Moorpheusl9 2/17/11 8:17 a.m.
                       Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Archilen 2/17/11 8:48 a.m.
                             Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Bry 2/17/11 9:35 a.m.
                                   Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 10:19 a.m.
                                         Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Leviathan 2/17/11 10:46 a.m.
                                               Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Azo 'Galvat 2/17/11 11:09 a.m.
                                               Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Quirel 2/17/11 11:22 a.m.
                                                     Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.thebruce0 2/17/11 11:29 a.m.
                                               Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Metalingus627 2/17/11 1:51 p.m.
                                         Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Bry 2/17/11 10:48 a.m.
                                         Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.NsU Soldier 2/17/11 12:03 p.m.
                                               Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Archilen 2/17/11 12:05 p.m.
                                                     Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Bry 2/17/11 12:20 p.m.
                                                           Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.NsU Soldier 2/17/11 12:41 p.m.
                                               Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Azo 'Galvat 2/17/11 1:01 p.m.
                                                     Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.Moorpheusl9 2/17/11 1:26 p.m.
                                                           Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 1:43 p.m.
                                                                 Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.scarab 2/17/11 1:47 p.m.
                                                                       Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.General Battuta 2/17/11 2:28 p.m.
                                                                             Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 2:36 p.m.
                                                                                   Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.General Battuta 2/17/11 3:14 p.m.
                                                                                         Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 3:18 p.m.
                                                                                         In a way, yes7he grunt w/a plasma pistol 2/17/11 3:37 p.m.
                                         Miranda wasn't thinking at all!The BS Police 2/17/11 1:43 p.m.
                                               Women drivers....bluerunner 2/17/11 1:54 p.m.
                                               Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!Bry 2/17/11 2:22 p.m.
                                               I'll tell you what doesn't make senseGeneral Battuta 2/17/11 2:30 p.m.
                                                     And man, poor Johnson!General Battuta 2/17/11 2:34 p.m.
                                                           I came back to life for this?! *NM*Moorpheusl9 2/17/11 2:37 p.m.
                                                           He's not dead but don't ask... *NM*scarab 2/17/11 2:42 p.m.
                                                                 I can't divulge classified information...Quirel 2/17/11 5:35 p.m.
                                                                       Re: I can't divulge classified information...scarab 2/17/11 7:01 p.m.
                                                                             Awesome AnalysisSparkypinball 2/18/11 3:35 a.m.
                                                                                   Oh thank you :-)scarab 2/18/11 4:47 a.m.
                                                                                         Re: Oh thank you :-)topleybird 2/18/11 8:58 a.m.
                                                                                               Re: Oh thank you :-)scarab 2/18/11 11:16 a.m.
                                               Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!343winks. 2/17/11 7:45 p.m.
                                                     Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!The BS Police 2/17/11 7:47 p.m.
                                                     Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!NsU Soldier 2/17/11 9:31 p.m.
                                                           Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!SonofMacPhisto 2/17/11 11:08 p.m.
           Re: BEST line of the series, probably.Narcogen 2/17/11 10:23 p.m.
                 Boy, this is fun!Kermit 2/17/11 11:13 p.m.
                       er, backwards^ *NM*Kermit 2/17/11 11:18 p.m.
                             Fun, this is boy? *NM*Narcogen 2/18/11 12:47 a.m.
                                   Ok but...MartytheElder 2/18/11 12:52 a.m.
                                         Re: Ok but...The Loot 2/18/11 12:56 a.m.
                                         Re: Ok but...Kermit 2/18/11 1:16 a.m.
                                               Re: Ok but...Joe Duplessie (SNIPE 316) 2/18/11 8:46 a.m.
                                               Re: Ok but...SonofMacPhisto 2/18/11 3:21 p.m.
                                                     Re: Ok but...Kermit 2/18/11 4:31 p.m.
                                         Re: Ok but...Narcogen 2/18/11 1:52 a.m.
                                         E Dorian?!Hyokin 2/18/11 9:26 a.m.
                                               Re: E Dorian?!Kermit 2/18/11 4:38 p.m.
                                         Re: Ok but...SonofMacPhisto 2/18/11 3:13 p.m.
                                         Re: Ok but...Hawaiian Pig 2/18/11 4:25 p.m.



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