I don't know. I really don't. I was enjoying things, it all looked like it was improving so much. Palmer was learning things, Thorne was likeable, Naiya was likeable, Ayit was great and I hope we see more of him, and things were getting interesting with the Sali vs Jul stuff...and then, it all comes to a crashing, screeching halt and an utterly limp end.

I'm sorry, if anyone from 343i is reading this, but what on earth was that?

What was the point of extending the story past Halo 5's release, if it stubbornly refuses to tie anything into Halo 5? I thought it was to avoid spoiling the effects the Absolute Record arc would have. Instead, we are left with an ending that not only has no consequences, it invalidates everything that came before, restoring the status quo without ever threatening it.

I thought the Record might show Guardians activating across human space, as a prelude to Cortana's campaign; that the Spartans would destroy Jul's artefact collection, and that explains why the Prometheans go rogue, and lets Cortana Assume Direct Control. That there might be some consequences to these events. Instead, the Record treats Halsey like a frustrated parent. "I was about to hand you the keys to the car, and you just took a bat to the windshield you petulant child, so now I'm crushing it to teach you a lesson in humility."

I'm not even angry, I'm baffled. Were 343 that taken aback at the "why do I need to read the books" response to Halo 4 that they were afraid to make these comics have ANY consequences at all?