Arne Magnusson
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| Arne Magnusson | |
|---|---|
| Biographical information | |
| Homeworld | |
| Function(s) / Belongings | |
| Rank / Occupation |
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| Weapons |
Designed the Magnusson Device |
| Physical description | |
| Species |
Human |
| Gender |
Male |
| Hair color |
Brown |
| Eye color |
Blue |
| Chronological and political information | |
| Era(s) | |
| Faction |
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| Game information | |
| Voiced by | |
| Modeled over |
Paul Eenhoorn |
| Designer(s) | |
| Entity |
npc_magnusson |
| Voice sample(s) | |
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- "Oh - oh, excuse me if I'm interrupting tea time. I'll just step out until you've finished if that's more convenient."
- ― Arne Magnusson[src]
Dr. Arne Magnusson is the leader of White Forest. He is a grey-haired stocky Caucasian man who looks to be in his early sixties. He is a former member of the Black Mesa Science Team, one of the few survivors of the Black Mesa Incident, and an important orchestrator of the Resistance.
Contents
Biography[edit]
Background[edit]
Before the Black Mesa Incident, Magnusson worked at Black Mesa as a scientist. As said by Eli Vance in White Forest, Arne used to compete for grant money with Isaac Kleiner (Eli: "The way he and Magnusson have been going at it, you'd think they were still competing for grant money!", to which Alyx answers "Some things never change..."), and took grievance with Gordon Freeman when the latter destroyed his microwave casserole back at Black Mesa (see below). It is never directly explained how Dr. Magnusson managed to survive the Black Mesa Incident.
After the Combine invasion, he came to head a major Resistance base, White Forest, and used his scientific expertise to make technological advances to aid the Resistance. Most notable amongst these are the rocket he constructed to tap into the old Black Mesa/Xen satellite array, as well as the Magnusson Device, a deadly anti-Strider weapon. He was aided in these endeavors by Uriah, a Vortigaunt. Dr. Magnusson is held in the same high regard by the Vortigaunts as is Dr. Eli Vance, both as an accomplished scientist and leader of the Resistance.
Appearances[edit]
Half-Life 2: Episode Two[edit]
In Half-Life 2: Episode Two, he is first seen through transmissions between Alyx and Gordon and White Forest during the ride through the Outlands, showing his eagerness to receive Mossman's transmission. After arriving at White Forest, he is first heard when a false alarm is triggered in the secondary silo. He is first met in the rocket chamber, where he is working and arguing with Kleiner. Before Alyx, Eli and Kleiner go back upstairs to have a look at the data packet, another alarm is triggered in the secondary silo. Magnusson then sends Gordon to the area to investigate. Gordon then seals the silo after an actual Combine breach occurs. Back in the upper levels of the base, Magnusson introduces him to his Magnusson Device and how to use it against Striders (see below for the "casserole debacle" reference).
After the Combine's assault on White Forest concluded in victory for the Resistance, he hesitantly thanks Gordon for the success of the mission then returns to oversee preparations for the launch of the rocket. A short while later, he boastfully proclaims that the Magnusson Device as the reason for the success of the assault to which Kleiner protests that Gordon also share credit having been the one to use the device effectively. The rocket then launches and an overly cheerful Magnusson is last seen calming himself down before proceeding to work with Kleiner further.
Personality and skills[edit]
Arne Magnusson has a fussy, petulant nature. He makes constant complaints about the completion of his satellite rocket, an object that he dotes upon. Verbose, egotistical and authoritarian, Magnusson thinks highly both of himself and his inventions, to the point of naming them after himself. He finds shows of emotion distasteful, particularly when he feels it comes at the cost of industry. He despises Isaac Kleiner's pet Headcrab Lamarr just like Barney Calhoun does (Magnusson: "And get your cranio-conjugal parasite away from my nose cone!", to which Kleiner answers: "Now listen here, Magnusson, there's no call for hurtful comments!").
Magnusson is not, however, without a softer side; he grudgingly thanks Gordon Freeman for saving his rocket during the events of Episode Two, and his joy at the rocket's successful launch is palpable. His dedication to the Resistance comes above all else.
Behind the scenes[edit]
Magnusson was created for several reasons:
- As said by Marc Laidlaw, in early drafts of the episode, Eli and Kleiner had warmed up White Forest all by themselves to have it as equipped as it is in the brief time after fleeing City 17. When the team realized it was "ridiculous", they developed a backstory in which Black Mesa had acquired an extremely cheap Cold War bunker and developed some projects in response to budgetary and oversight problems associated with basing all work in North America. Magnusson would have been working there for some time when Eli and Kleiner were to reach the base from City 17.[1]
- As said by John Morello, the addition of a new character was also to counter the lack of interpersonal conflicts between the characters, as Alyx, Eli and Kleiner have a lot of affection for one another. While at Valve they all value the benefit of strong positive relationships, they were "happy to have Dr. Magnusson around to get irritated by all the hugging."[2]
- Brian Jacobsen explains in the developer commentary that Magnusson's character was the result of Valve's desire to re-introduce another persona from the original Half-Life, not unlike Kleiner or Barney. The commentary node in Episode Two plays a voice line of one of the two scientists that open the door to the Anti-Mass Spectrometer at the beginning of the game. Valve used this voice line to inspire Magnusson's character.[2]
Magnusson's appearance was based on that of Paul Eenhoorn, a prominent actor from the Seattle-area filmmaking community.[3] Eenhoorn died on August 1, 2022 at the age of 73.[4]
Trivia[edit]
- In the Victory Mine, the Lone Vort says at some point "What next in the parade of constant obstacles?", a variant of one of Dr. Magnusson's sayings, "What next in the parade of constant interruptions?". According to Marc Laidlaw, the affinity between the Vortigaunts and Dr. Magnusson has caused some of his mannerisms to spread among them by way of their lowgrade telepathy.[2]
- Just after Gordon has tested the Magnusson Device, Magnusson tells him that he might forgive his "microwave casserole" debacle at Black Mesa if he succeeds in protecting the rocket from the Striders (Magnusson: "Oh, and Freeman! If you pull this off, I might just forgive you for that debacle at Black Mesa. You know the one I mean... involving a certain microwave casserole.). This is a reference to the beginning of Half-Life, when the player can turn on a microwave and explode the meal inside. According to John Guthrie, the team thought it was finally time to let the player know whose lunch had been ruined in Half-Life, and give them a chance at redemption.[2]
Gallery[edit]
Paul Eenhoorn.
Ditto.
Paul Eenhoorn in Coffka, a short film produced in Seattle.
An older model of Magnusson's face.
Magnusson's badge.
Magnusson's model.
One of the several handwritten warning messages left by Magnusson around White Forest.
Magnusson asking Gordon to investigate the secondary silo.
Magnusson explaining Gordon how the Magnusson Device works in its training area.
Uriah and Magnusson in the Magnusson Device training area.
Arne Magnusson telling Gordon he might forgive him for his debacle at Black Mesa.
Magnusson actually congratulating Gordon for protecting White Forest, while Alyx does not believe her ears.
Ditto.
Magnusson enthused by the success of the rocket launch.
List of appearances[edit]
Main games[edit]
- Half-Life (Possible appearance) (Retcon)
- Half-Life 2: Episode Two (First identified as Arne Magnusson)
Other[edit]
- Half-Life: Day One (First appearance) (Possible appearance) (Retcon)
- Source Particle Benchmark (Game files only) (Non-canonical appearance)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ The Orange Box Dissected - with Valve on ComputerAndVideoGames.com (February 6, 2008) (archived)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Half-Life 2: Episode Two commentary
- ↑ Paul Eenhoorn - Cast Member Exposé << CoffkaMovie's Weblog
- ↑ Paul Eenhoorn, Actor in 'This Is Martin Bonner' and 'Land Ho!,' Dies at 73 on The Hollywood Reporter (August 7, 2022)
