Fun fact: the gravemind speaks in rhyme because Halo’s lead writer, Joe Staten, was delighted by the fact that the rhyming annoyed the lead designer Jason Jones 🤭 for the record, I like the gravemind’s flowery speech. He has some of the best dialogue in the franchise
Wow, I've been playing Halo since the beginning and I never even thought about the rhyming and the "trochaic heptameter" part lol learn something new every day
The Gravemind cinematic is one of the greatest cinematics of all time for me. The mindless monsters you've been fighting this whole time are actually the smartest, most eloquent speaker you've encountered
During the terminal entry videos that you watched from halo 1 there's a part where 343 Guilty Spark mentions that none of the other monitors of the other halos are responding. Well now we know why this particular monitor stopped talking. The Flood got him.
It’s difficult to say without spoilers (books do the Flood justice) but the Gravemind is more intelligent and perceptive than you can imagine. It all goes back to the history and origins of the Flood.
@@MegMage the books are written by many science fiction authors. They are some of my favorite books to read. I’ve read them so much, my books are falling apart.
@MegMage Please do! It’ll give you some solid insight in the history of they Milt Way but also make you realize how insanely powerful the Flood is when left unchecked or underestimated.
“This is not your grave. But you are welcome in it.” “I? I am a monument to all your sins.” “This one is machine and nerve, and has its mind concluded. This one is but flesh and faith, and is the more deluded.” “Fate had us meet as foes, but this ring will make us brothers.” Everything the Gravemind says is gold!!!!!
Ahh yes you've met The Gravemind shows you how terrifying The Flood can be! When it kinda forms an alliance between the two Main Characters because firing the ring will starve it so it unites both arby and chief to stop the firing of the ring even though that's what the humans were trying to do so that the covenant don't fire the rings and also showing arbiter the true nature of the ring. This shows that the Flood are not your typical zombie virus
So a little bit of halo lore, without spoiling anything: Halo is a weapon that was built to contain the flood by wiping out literally all sentient life nearby. The covenant (literally called that because it's an alliance between races, kind of like a religious league) worship "the forerunners" who built the rings, and believe that their "sacred duty" is to activate those rings (but really, it's just the prophets trying to manipulate the other races into doing their bidding, and gaining more power over them in the process). The "gravemind" (the big flood hivemind creature thingy) knows that the rings were built to contain the flood and destroy it, thus it tries to manipulate arbiter and master chief into following his bidding. The fact they all happen to align with its perspective doesn't mean they're friends - just enemies of enemies. I'm sure you're familiar with most of this, but it helps to kind of put things together like this sometimes. I know i was kinda confused when i played this as a kid, especially as i didn't know that much english XD Especially confusing was how it was hard to understand the motives of the covenant, which could probably be portrayed better. The prophets are basically space lannisters... They are manipulative, self-serving a$$holes with a hunger for power, and their followers are religious extremists. It's actually a more airtight plot than people give it credit, but the game is perhaps a little *too* subtle about the covenant's agenda.
The complexity of Halos story is crazy to the point u have 4 enemy races (4 because the prophets just betrayed the arbiter and isn’t part of the covenant) in 1 room and 1 neutral race (aka the monitor of Installation 05). Not many franchises would have that many factions in 1 room with so many ideologies arguing with each other. So well done how they got them all in that room too. It makes sense how they all got there and why.
At last, you meet a Gravemind. The same thing Keyes was turning into during Combat Evolved. But, even one Gravemind, one parasite can destroy a species into extinction. They’re smart.
“Why does the parasite thing make more sense than the humans or the Covenant” The Gravemind told you. “There’s been much talk and I have listened, through rock and metal and time! Now I shall talk and you shall listen!”
What you saw at the end was a Gravemind and it’s basically the general/king of the flood and it was actually what the flood was trying to make in halo 1 with what Captain Keyes had become before Chief killed it. The Gravemind also has all the memories of previous Graveminds so it’s ridiculous smart.
@MegMage yeah a proto Gravemind. Ad you can see it didn't turn Keyes into a regular foot soldier the flood kept it as a sort of center of intelligence. The flood is ridiculously smart.
Iambic pentameter is the name of that particular style of dialect, most commonly associated these days with the works of one William Shakespeare. The gravemind, (yes, that is his name) is indeed quite eloquent. It's working title during development was "king flood" I believe. And yes, as a present, you got what you wanted in a way you probably never even imagined. Happy Holidays!
Watching your blind playthrough literally reminds me of watching my best friend react to everything when I first introduced him to Halo. Seeing your theories and responses to certain scenes and little analysis is so great and fun to watch! Can’t wait to see you delve more into this wonderful universe! Edit: He also very much supports a “enemy to lovers” vibe with Arby n the Chief!
That the Gravemind talks in rhymes and speaks so much sense should come across as TERRIFYING in concept because how are you going to be a horrifying almost lovecraftian entity and also have an eloquent and artsy way of conveying your messages of doom?
I never noticed the subtle noices/voices within gravemind's voice til now 56:26 I mean it makes sense though but now I can't unhear how unsettling it is
Actually there were barely any edits to the gravemind's voice, its just one person making all those noises while talking (dee bradley baker) who is known for making some really cool monster voices
A reminder to let Meg discover things for herself! Please do not post spoilers, future/past lore, or tips. We know you’re all passionate, but it lessens the fun for Meg if she can’t find out these things in her own time. Sit on your hands if you feel that urge. “But this comes from a book!” Yes, and Meg might want to read those books! Please do not ruin the fun for her. Thank you!
I always look forward to watching people's reaction to the gravemind. Not only can it utilise and assimilate its enemies' bodies, but also their tools and knowledge. The gravemind, and by extension, the flood, aren't just dumb space zombies; the gravemind is coherent, and even eloquent and logical. This, contrasted with its grotesque appearance, is downright fascinating. Anyway, the spectre is indeed like a covenant warthog, meaning you can get into the driver seat at any time, and not let the horrible AI drive. Might've saved you some pain in the beginning.
Your so smart, Meg. I mean I was 7 when i first played this in 2004 and I didnt have youtube to help me understand, only the Halo books at school that were always checked out for weeks 😭
I made this comment as a reply, but thought I'd offer the information here as well. The Gravemind speaks in Trochaic Heptameter trochaic heptameter. Trochaic is referring to stressed and unstressed syllables. The first syllable is stressed, and the second is unstressed. Trochaic is formed into pairs of these syllables. Heptameter is saying that there are seven "feet" or pairs of these trochaic syllables. So each rhyming line consists of 14 syllables, segmented into stressed and unstressed pairs. It gives the poem a bounce. William Shakespeare was famous for using Iambic Pentameter. Iambic is the opposite of Trochaic where the syllables are paired into unstressed then stressed. And pentameter refers to how he would use lines consisting of 10 syllables. "pent" meaning five, so five "feet" or five pairs of iambic syllables.
57:36 with each body that gets infected & (technology later on) it collects all the intelligence from the host & with enough biomass it creates that gravemind & its very smart
The grave mind is smart. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. He knows if he lets chief and arbiter continue their mission then even the flood will be saved.
I was house sitting for a couple friends and the cats were obsessed with the screen when I was playing halo! I have a cat of my own and she couldn’t care less. It was strange!
Its kinda funny but the orginal idea of halo 2 was to have a forerunner tank to blast through the flood and gravemind tentacles with a lot of glowing lights and tech.
The Gravemind. A truly terrifying enemy. Should you invest in the books or simply watch videos on UA-cam you will see just what it is that makes the Gravemind so dangerous
![These cutscenes are WILD!💚 | My First Time Playing HALO 2: Anniversary Blind Playthrough [1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hBudNNiDoKA/mqdefault.jpg)
Fun fact: the gravemind speaks in rhyme because Halo’s lead writer, Joe Staten, was delighted by the fact that the rhyming annoyed the lead designer Jason Jones 🤭 for the record, I like the gravemind’s flowery speech. He has some of the best dialogue in the franchise
Iirc it's also a reference to the number 7, the verses rhyme every 7 syllabes of something. I'm not sure I remember how it actually works
Just looked it up, it is called "trochaic heptameter" but I have no idea what that means. Just something with the 7.
Also cause hes like super intelligent he desides to speak like that ;P
@@GuasethHepta meaning 7, like how Hex means 6 (hexagon) and Octo means 8 (octogon, octopus).
Wow, I've been playing Halo since the beginning and I never even thought about the rhyming and the "trochaic heptameter" part lol learn something new every day
Half-jaw is such a bro he’s like the arbiters version of Johnson
i think the point is that hes the covenant version of the master chief 😅
@@peradolia so the Arbiter is Johnson?
Rtas 'Vadum
Rtas Vadum chad 🍷😎👌
I think that's the point yes
The Gravemind cinematic is one of the greatest cinematics of all time for me. The mindless monsters you've been fighting this whole time are actually the smartest, most eloquent speaker you've encountered
Eloquent speaking character in the whole Trilogy tbh
During the terminal entry videos that you watched from halo 1 there's a part where 343 Guilty Spark mentions that none of the other monitors of the other halos are responding. Well now we know why this particular monitor stopped talking. The Flood got him.
It’s difficult to say without spoilers (books do the Flood justice) but the Gravemind is more intelligent and perceptive than you can imagine. It all goes back to the history and origins of the Flood.
I think I need to invest in these books
@@MegMage the books are written by many science fiction authors. They are some of my favorite books to read. I’ve read them so much, my books are falling apart.
@@MegMage The two best trilogies are the Forerunner saga and the (Kilo-5?) series by Karen Traviss.
@@MegMage The books are the holy grail of Halo and will absolutely send you on an incredible journey in your mind :D
@MegMage
Please do! It’ll give you some solid insight in the history of they Milt Way but also make you realize how insanely powerful the Flood is when left unchecked or underestimated.
“This is not your grave. But you are welcome in it.”
“I? I am a monument to all your sins.”
“This one is machine and nerve, and has its mind concluded. This one is but flesh and faith, and is the more deluded.”
“Fate had us meet as foes, but this ring will make us brothers.”
Everything the Gravemind says is gold!!!!!
Chad 🍷😎👌
“Now the gate has been unlatched
Headstones pushed aside.
Corpses shift and offer room
A fate you must abide!”
Everything he says is poetic
Yeah, its iambic pentameter. @@LilSpookyyy
@@robsoler2604 troachic heptameter actually
Ahh yes you've met The Gravemind shows you how terrifying The Flood can be! When it kinda forms an alliance between the two Main Characters because firing the ring will starve it so it unites both arby and chief to stop the firing of the ring even though that's what the humans were trying to do so that the covenant don't fire the rings and also showing arbiter the true nature of the ring.
This shows that the Flood are not your typical zombie virus
So a little bit of halo lore, without spoiling anything: Halo is a weapon that was built to contain the flood by wiping out literally all sentient life nearby. The covenant (literally called that because it's an alliance between races, kind of like a religious league) worship "the forerunners" who built the rings, and believe that their "sacred duty" is to activate those rings (but really, it's just the prophets trying to manipulate the other races into doing their bidding, and gaining more power over them in the process). The "gravemind" (the big flood hivemind creature thingy) knows that the rings were built to contain the flood and destroy it, thus it tries to manipulate arbiter and master chief into following his bidding. The fact they all happen to align with its perspective doesn't mean they're friends - just enemies of enemies.
I'm sure you're familiar with most of this, but it helps to kind of put things together like this sometimes. I know i was kinda confused when i played this as a kid, especially as i didn't know that much english XD
Especially confusing was how it was hard to understand the motives of the covenant, which could probably be portrayed better. The prophets are basically space lannisters... They are manipulative, self-serving a$$holes with a hunger for power, and their followers are religious extremists. It's actually a more airtight plot than people give it credit, but the game is perhaps a little *too* subtle about the covenant's agenda.
This is really helpful, thank you :D
Space lannisters. Couldn't have described it better.
The complexity of Halos story is crazy to the point u have 4 enemy races (4 because the prophets just betrayed the arbiter and isn’t part of the covenant) in 1 room and 1 neutral race (aka the monitor of Installation 05). Not many franchises would have that many factions in 1 room with so many ideologies arguing with each other.
So well done how they got them all in that room too. It makes sense how they all got there and why.
for years my favourite line in fiction was " I am a monument to all your sins."
Well don't leave us hanging, what line dethroned it?? I gotta know!
At last, you meet a Gravemind. The same thing Keyes was turning into during Combat Evolved. But, even one Gravemind, one parasite can destroy a species into extinction. They’re smart.
Really love it when players pick up on the subtle things in Gravemind's speech.
My favorite part when I was kid, master chief, “BOO” and the grunt panics 😂😂😂
“Why does the parasite thing make more sense than the humans or the Covenant” The Gravemind told you.
“There’s been much talk and I have listened, through rock and metal and time! Now I shall talk and you shall listen!”
What you saw at the end was a Gravemind and it’s basically the general/king of the flood and it was actually what the flood was trying to make in halo 1 with what Captain Keyes had become before Chief killed it. The Gravemind also has all the memories of previous Graveminds so it’s ridiculous smart.
Omg? Keyes could've been the Gravemind?
@MegMage yeah a proto Gravemind. Ad you can see it didn't turn Keyes into a regular foot soldier the flood kept it as a sort of center of intelligence. The flood is ridiculously smart.
@@Knownasperry maybe it was a very very small proto because we have seen what a actual proto Gravemind looks like and it’s definitely not that small
I never noticed it but Cortana mentioned how the flood in Halo ce were planning to hijack a covenant ship to escape the Ring.
God the grave mind just spits the hardest lines in halo history and refuses to elaborate
Iambic pentameter is the name of that particular style of dialect, most commonly associated these days with the works of one William Shakespeare. The gravemind, (yes, that is his name) is indeed quite eloquent.
It's working title during development was "king flood" I believe.
And yes, as a present, you got what you wanted in a way you probably never even imagined. Happy Holidays!
A gravemind is basically what Captian Keyes would have become if Chief and Cortana hadn't taken Keyes's Neural Lace.
Watching your blind playthrough literally reminds me of watching my best friend react to everything when I first introduced him to Halo. Seeing your theories and responses to certain scenes and little analysis is so great and fun to watch!
Can’t wait to see you delve more into this wonderful universe!
Edit: He also very much supports a “enemy to lovers” vibe with Arby n the Chief!
22:05 I played halo for a long time but I couldn't stop laughing at that part
Arby 'n' the Chief finally meet!
I’m probably the only one who understood that joke and why you spelled it the way you did 😂😂😂
@@fraughtmonster8I love that show 😂
@@jjbattiest6481 you know he continued season 8 like a year ago right)
@@fraughtmonster8 I did not know that, I’m about to check it out
That the Gravemind talks in rhymes and speaks so much sense should come across as TERRIFYING in concept because how are you going to be a horrifying almost lovecraftian entity and also have an eloquent and artsy way of conveying your messages of doom?
58:09 Chief knows how to have fun while he works
I never noticed the subtle noices/voices within gravemind's voice til now 56:26 I mean it makes sense though but now I can't unhear how unsettling it is
Actually there were barely any edits to the gravemind's voice, its just one person making all those noises while talking (dee bradley baker) who is known for making some really cool monster voices
"How you doing?" Johnson is the best, he's such a fun character. Him and Arbiter definitely have the best voices in the series
Ah you met the gravemind, easily one of the creepiest beings
I just wanna be pals with him. He seems like a cool guy.
He’s a true poet 😅
It is more creepy when you read the iso trilogy.
A reminder to let Meg discover things for herself! Please do not post spoilers, future/past lore, or tips. We know you’re all passionate, but it lessens the fun for Meg if she can’t find out these things in her own time. Sit on your hands if you feel that urge.
“But this comes from a book!” Yes, and Meg might want to read those books! Please do not ruin the fun for her.
Thank you!
True
I always look forward to watching people's reaction to the gravemind. Not only can it utilise and assimilate its enemies' bodies, but also their tools and knowledge. The gravemind, and by extension, the flood, aren't just dumb space zombies; the gravemind is coherent, and even eloquent and logical. This, contrasted with its grotesque appearance, is downright fascinating.
Anyway, the spectre is indeed like a covenant warthog, meaning you can get into the driver seat at any time, and not let the horrible AI drive. Might've saved you some pain in the beginning.
The Gravemind is the Floods super hive mind. Hyper intelligent and telepathic. It grows the more the flood feed, both in size and intelligence.
Now I know the correct answer anytime someone asks me about halo 2. It's like Parent Trap.
Lol
"this is like parent trap!" ctfu 😂😂😂
the flood assimilates everyone into itself, somewhere along the way he learned about poetry and that mf was hooked.
I like to call that Gravemind cutscene "The Puppet Show of the Dead"
I love that the covenant technically is so comparatively advanced that elites can just enter a UNSC Scorpion and drive it no problem
The flood can hijack your vehicles???
Yes
Your so smart, Meg. I mean I was 7 when i first played this in 2004 and I didnt have youtube to help me understand, only the Halo books at school that were always checked out for weeks 😭
6:54 That track is the Genesong :D I don't think I've ever been salty when dying on this this part.
i simply adore the Graveminds dialogue, let alone that amazing delivery!
The Flood can even corrupt Ai with something called a Logic Plague where they basically convince it to join by explaining how vain it is to resist
Halo 2 being compared to Parent Trap actually made my day
In case you didn't know already, the arbiter's name is Thel Vadam voiced by the wonderfully talented Keith David.
Yeah, Halo 2's story is so good. It keeps getting awesome to the very end. You'll love the rest of the game
I made this comment as a reply, but thought I'd offer the information here as well.
The Gravemind speaks in Trochaic Heptameter
trochaic heptameter. Trochaic is referring to stressed and unstressed syllables. The first syllable is stressed, and the second is unstressed. Trochaic is formed into pairs of these syllables. Heptameter is saying that there are seven "feet" or pairs of these trochaic syllables. So each rhyming line consists of 14 syllables, segmented into stressed and unstressed pairs. It gives the poem a bounce.
William Shakespeare was famous for using Iambic Pentameter. Iambic is the opposite of Trochaic where the syllables are paired into unstressed then stressed. And pentameter refers to how he would use lines consisting of 10 syllables. "pent" meaning five, so five "feet" or five pairs of iambic syllables.
No wonder it sounds so poetic
57:36 with each body that gets infected & (technology later on) it collects all the intelligence from the host & with enough biomass it creates that gravemind & its very smart
ah, Gravemind, my favorite rhyming cosmic horror
had to look up parent trap and urban dictionary was the first thing to pop up, thanks meg 🤣
Have a wonderful Thursday and have a very Merry Christmas Meg and Caleb.
🎄🎄☃️🎄🎄
Been playing Halo since 2005 and this is the first time I have ever seen someone grenade lunge LOL
Grenade Lunge is actually a pro strat, she even did a grenade, quick-reload before too lol.
Ah gravemind, the highest and most intelligent Form of the flood
Just Mag and Gravemind hanging out, chillin'... chillAXIN.. KICKIN IT, ya'know
So true...
Now we enter the crazy part of the game, you're in for a good ride! And, Happy Holidays!
I can't believe she hit sentinels better driving Wraith than Scorpion!
The gravemind is a hyperintelligence and master manipulator because it has the memories and intellect of all the assimilated flood victims.
Oh yeah! It's all coming together!
The grave mind is smart. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. He knows if he lets chief and arbiter continue their mission then even the flood will be saved.
I was house sitting for a couple friends and the cats were obsessed with the screen when I was playing halo! I have a cat of my own and she couldn’t care less. It was strange!
My cat likes watching resident evil
Its kinda funny but the orginal idea of halo 2 was to have a forerunner tank to blast through the flood and gravemind tentacles with a lot of glowing lights and tech.
"Halo 2: The Prophet Trap"
9:50 Priceless face of regret. Regret on letting the Elite drive.
Arby's Chicken Bacon Swiss is their best standard sammich, no doubt
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS EPISODE! 🎉
Meg content is best content
Oh no she’s falling for the logic plague!
I kept getting lost on this level. Had to rewatch playthroughs to know where to go.
The Gravemind is one of the most interesting characters in the Halo universe.
The Gravemind. A truly terrifying enemy. Should you invest in the books or simply watch videos on UA-cam you will see just what it is that makes the Gravemind so dangerous
One of the things bungi failed to do was to allow us fight unsc marines as Arbiter
cant wait for halo 3
Halo 3 its gonna be a blast
What other halo games you’re going to play next
Plz stop calling the ghost a banshee it’s killing me 😂😂😂
Mmm... Delicious!
Get ready for the baaaaaaast song in the game.
Halo 2 is a Bible story