: They've heavily laid on that Chief and Cortana have an intimate relationship.
: I think favorite toy is doing a bit of a disservice but whatever. Chief
: has saved the galaxy, learned about the nature of humanity, and been
: zapped with some Forerunner secret stuff, that can change your perspective
: of what is important. And he's not the perfect soldier anymore either, he
: disobeyed a direct order from Del Rio, his superior officer. I think that
: should signal the change in Chief's character. I imagine the realization
: that the UNSC isn't always right and that he has a choice in the matter
: can lead him to aimlessness and confusion.

Also - his training, with the SIIs, was second-to-none... but no one could have predicted the sort of stuff he's been through during his spartan career, considering he was initially intended for colonial missions. Super-soldier he may be, but c'mon, give him a break! ;P