: The Covenant did screw up on a potential galactic level of extermination.
: Chief and Cortana released someone so powerful that he could pick Chief up
: with his mind, throw him around, and really do whatever he wanted, but
: instead mostly floated about in a giant ball before getting defeated by
: (Cortana) light and a grenade. Oh man, what a bad guy there. Watch out
: galaxy. Chief, you stupid fool, you released a nobody who really only sort
: of threatens humanity and is nothing compared to the Flood and was
: actually pretty much destroyed by the Flood in a previous lifetime along
: with the rest of the Forerunner. Way to go Chief.

While I agree the threat level that the flood poses to humanity is an order of magnitude of greater in comparison to the Didact (and many more magnitudes for the other lifeforms out there that the Didact doesn't have a vendetta against), let's not forget that the Didact quickly had his Composer firing down on Earth and beginning to exterminate the human race.

Yes, chief saved the day - at least for the time being, but letting out the Didact certainly was a bit more than a minor screw up. The flood certainly pose a larger threat - but the Didact has already done his share of damage to the Ivanoff Station and Earth, and it's yet to be seen if he is really dead and what his awakening may have set in motion with other forerunners.

Also, maybe I should have noted to begin with that I have enjoyed the game and storyline, though not my favorite version of the game. This was not me trying to bash the plot, it was just something that I felt playing through the game again. Is it just me or is it sad that this type of disclaimer seems to be needed these days? Hugs anyone?