Original artwork, not a still
Welcome. Welcome to City 17.
— Half-Life 2 · 2004
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is a welcome that sounds like a threat, delivered by a man whose job is to make occupation sound like hospitality. The broadcast sets the tone of the game before a single enemy appears: a city where the friendliest voice is the most dangerous. Fans quote it as a greeting among themselves and use Breen's tone for any too-smooth announcement.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Half-Life 2Show the scene
Half-Life 2 (2004), the first chapter, 'Point Insertion'. Gordon Freeman has been pulled out of stasis by the G-Man and put on a train to City 17. When he steps onto the platform he meets armed Civil Protection and the face of Dr. Wallace Breen on a huge screen, the Administrator the Combine installed to govern the survivors of Earth. Breen's broadcast welcomes the arrivals, tells them they have chosen, or been chosen, to relocate, and ends by calling City 17 safer. Breen was voiced by actor Robert Culp, who died in 2010.
Sources (3)
- Breencast, Half-Life WikiTranscripts: 'Dr. Breen welcoming Citizens to City 17'Reference checked
- Point Insertion, Combine OverWikiChapter 1Reference checked
- Wallace Breen, Half-Life WikiInfobox; TriviaReference checked
Context reviewed
