'117' as a Possible hint?

Games Halo 5: Guardians
1

Okay, So a lot of you (If not, ALL of you) know of the piece of music in Halo 4 known simply as ‘117’.

For the few that haven’t heard it, Here’s a link because I’m kind; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCrL76vGpNA

So the basic story here is that I was stuck at my job. Stocking the shelves ready for a new day. This theme was stuck in my head all the time. I couldn’t get it out of my Head. It’s just too damn Sexcellent!

Anyway, The more and more I thought about it, The more I thought about the Chief (After all, It is called 117). What was the Chief going through? Where will he go? What’s happening?

The more and more I thought about it, 117 could potentially be a musical interpretation of Chief’s journey through the reclaimer saga.

Now I know what your all thinking, ‘But that makes no sense!’

Well, Here’s my reasoning; In this Halo 4 ViDoc, We learn that 343 wants the Chief to be sent on a Heroes Journey.

ViDoc; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3KLtf8DzCU

So what is a Heroes Journey? Well a quick Google Search may reveal more than you would expect.

The Heroes Journey; http://dimitricide.wdfiles.com/local--files/hero-s-journey/herosjourney.gif

Now, Judging by this diagram, Halo 4 would be the ‘Rebirth’ of the Chief. A new saga. A new chapter in his life. Not just his rebirth into the story of Halo, But into our lives as well.

In Halo 4, We see the Chief having to adapt, Or ‘Transform’ to Square off against the Didact and to face the inevitable, That Cortana will die.

Now, Where does the 117 theme sit with this?

Well the first third of the song is the rebirth of the Chief. His awakening. In the middle of the theme, The song suddenly loses its heroic tone and plunges into an almost depressing state.

This is Johns Atonement. His understanding of himself and what he needs to be. Funnily enough, There is actually a theme in Halo 4 called Atonement; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cq5ux3khNE

This is John through Halo 5’s campaign. He’s not rogue. He not a villain. He’s not becoming a bad guy. He’s trying to come to terms with himself. He’s facing his greatest challenge;

Himself.

The last third of the theme is a very uplifting, Heroic beat. It’s picking up from the darker times. Could this be the part of Johns journey where he returns? A stronger and Wiser man than ever before?

Basically, My theory here is that the theme 117 from Halo 4 sums up the Heroes Journey that John will embark on.

The first third is Johns awaking (Of course, This starts Halfway through the diagram, But Halo 4 isn’t the beginning of Chief’s journey)

The Middle section is Halo 5. John battling himself. His Atonement. Hence the darker story.

The last third is Johns return. As a stronger, Wiser and braver man than ever before.

It’s a bit of a silly theory, But It’s something I wanted to get off my chest.

2

We will most probably hear a lot of the same music again in the next game. In that case, a lot of them were probably written so that they were versatile and thematic. I remember them talking about the “hero’s journey” and like your interpretation of it. I’ve pondered the same thing many times before! Can’t wait to find out where our journey begins, though…

3

This is one of the most out-there theories I have ever heard.

And I love it. Very outside-the-box. And, I think it may be the truth! Nicely done!

4

Very interesting indeed. :slight_smile:

5

I’ve always thought the 117 theme to be reflecting John’s endeavours of the past. His journey in the original trilogy, and all of the milestones he has faced. Put simply, to pay homage to the heroism that he has displayed throughout his military career.

Also, i thought the way the epilogue plays out, is supposed to reflect how chief feels about his “failure”…? This part, in particular

By the way, the whole epilogue with the music playing, and the Didact’s monologue voice over, is masterfully done IMO (goose bumps all of the time :P)

Nonetheless, you provide a very interesting point, and i’d love to see what will happen if you are correct.

6

The 3 different styles of music is just a simple format used often in the industry.
You’re right. Cool thread.

7

> This is one of the most out-there theories I have ever heard.
>
> And I love it. Very outside-the-box. And, I think it may be the truth! Nicely done!

All of this!

8

hmmm very out there theory. It isn’t ridiculous like other theories I’ve heard. I like it though, It might be a theme we see throughout the next game and Im curious to see how much your theory stands to all the new information that will be coming out over the next year.

Edit: Im watching this Vidoc and its crazy how much 343i talks about his humanity and the heroes journey… they are even discussing the burdens a guardian carries… hell the lead writer keeps talking about guardians. Chief is a guardian, cortana was chiefs guardian and the forerunners were guardians in their days…

9

I thought the same thing about Green and Blue and Cortana’s destiny. The whole song is on a sad mood, Cortana’s gone now and the Chief is all by himself.

But at the end, there is a bit of hope, a sense of mystery. Something that tell us that there is still for Chief to rescue her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B70lpTUyxAA (6:55 - End)

I don’t know, I just thought about that some time after Halo 4 launched.

10

10/10, OP, 10/10

What’s interesting about this is that is shows that not only does the music enhance the story itself, but it tells the story as well.

It also shows how passionate Neil and Kazuma are about Halo.

11

One quote that Kiki Wolfkill made pre halo 4 was (paraphrasing), “What does it mean for chief to go beyond being a soldier to becoming a leader of men.”

Not to mention Dr. Halsey stating that the S-IIs are all genius’s, Alexanders. I feel like chiefs journey will have him becoming humanities military leader, much like the Didact was for the forerunners. Or maybe a commander Shepard like character - at the forefront of the military effort, leading them into battle, not standing aboard some ship in orbit but wading into the fray.

Then we’d have 2 spartans leading humanity: Osman and Chief.

12

I think you’re absolutely right. And I’ve taken enough courses on Greek Mythology to tell you that the writers over at 343i (including their brilliant composer) know exactly what they’re doing.

A great story doesn’t need to rely on dramatic twists and “WTF” moments to keep peoples’ interest; they followed a more than three-thousand year-old formula that has brought us great Heroes from Beowulf & Odysseus to Luke Skywalker and, now, John 117. I saw a great lecture (not in person) by Joseph Campbell who spoke entirely about the classic Hero’s Journey and Star Wars and how George Lucas followed the same formula.

But what’s impressive OP, is that this all occurred to you through a piece of music.
I’ve done some of my most brilliant thinking while stocking shelves too.