: I think this introduction for Blue Team is the best 343i could have done
: without getting into Metal Gear's 40 minute-long cinematic and cassette
: tape territory. Right off the bat you have Fred, Kelly, and Linda
: discussing John's mental state, you get a sense that these people are
: closer to him than anyone else in the games before, and that all caps off
: Fred saying that John hasn't been this stressed out or whatever since boot
: camp. Then comes the killer. Fred steps in John's way as they're all ready
: to deploy. This guy makes an effort to worry about John's emotions like
: only Cortana had before. Also, who else would dare to get between a
: Spartan and their mission like that?

: It's a subtle, modest way to introduce these characters as John's besties.
: Simple words and effective use of body language, both staples of Spartan
: life, can do wonders to convey a sense of history and relation. 343
: Industries seems to have made a conscious effort to have that
: juxtaposition between Blue and Osiris at the very beginning of the game.
: Osiris, while consisting of very highly-skilled Spartans, you can tell are
: eager, frightened, and need to prove something. The things they were
: chatting about in the Pelican before the jump wouldn't ever need to be
: said between Blue Team. SPARTAN-II's for the most part have instincts that
: are borderline telepathic amongst their own.

You're right that a lot is conveyed in that opening scene. I like the subtle touches of Chief's hands shaking and touching the spot in his helmet where Cortana used to be, and that each Spartan checks in with him to make sure he's okay. It tells us a lot about his mental state and how the other Spartans relate to him.

But it's still very bizarre that we're dropped into an alternate universe where other Spartan IIs exist. It's like watching your favorite sitcom when they awkwardly introduce a new character -- "Oh, I've always been here. I've just been out of frame." It feels like a huge retcon.

If these characters are so important to Chief, so important to the UNSC and humanity, and were alive for the events of Halo CE - Halo 4, why has no one even whispered their names?