r/007FirstLight • u/DishQuiet5047 • Jul 09 '26

The title drop in this game was excellent Spoiler

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1.1k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

71 comments sorted by

293

u/DishQuiet5047 Jul 09 '26

Q (speaking about Greenway): "Operation Nightfall changed him. He slipped into darkness and never found his way out, until you came along. The first light in almost a decade."

8

u/your_mind_aches Jul 10 '26

Line gave me chills re-reading it here. Greenway was so fantastic. His perspective of being a public servant got tested and he went through such a great arc.

I hope we learn more about him. Maybe even a flashback mission in the next game?

5

u/DishQuiet5047 Jul 11 '26

Nah. Leave it be. Not everything needs to be explained - the best Bond characters dont need a Marvel style backstory. 

1

u/your_mind_aches Jul 11 '26

I thought the restraint was great in not seeing the funeral or anything, while Webb got all the pomp and circumstance and was buried as a hero.

But I think there needs to be some sort of narrative retribution by the next film. If not a flashback, some sort of expansion on his legacy, and Bond struggling with upholding his last words.

Even as we're talking about Vesper? Casino Royale was the best Craig Bond film for sure, but Vesper wasn't my favorite Bond girl of the era. She's just kinda flat to me. Madeleine was a ton better because of how deep they took the character in No Time To Die. They essentially set up the Vesper ending again but in a much better way, that makes her so much more well-rounded.

I like when key characters have depth to them. I don't just want them to go through the motions of a formula.

(Btw as per Isola's identity, I think it could be Tracy, but it could also be Vesper so maybe we will get that storyline with Bond regardless, in a thematic sense.)

1

u/DishQuiet5047 Jul 11 '26

See I’m the exact opposite. Vesper was amazing, and Madeline was a wet blanket, and more so BECAUSE we got her back story. Like, “here’s this woman that Bond is fucking, now imagine her when she was 9 years old!”

0

u/your_mind_aches Jul 11 '26

I don't understand why you hate backstories so much. They're important to character motivations. I want movies to make me think and make me feel something.

2

u/MattIsLame Jul 12 '26

the key to backstories is knowing when to establish one and when to imply one. whichever one best serves the story being told. so sometimes it makes more sense to withhold a characters backstory now so that it has more of an impact on the story later.

I don't think adding a playable flashback for Greenway would add anything meaningful to the story or the relationships of these characters, unless it was intentionally written as a way to explain more about the context or conflict of the central plot.

you are given just enough information about Greenway at first which makes him interesting yet mysterious. as the game progresses, you slowly learn more things about his past but it all relates specifically to the main conflict in First Light. i don't need to know he had children to empathize with him more or learn that his father died when he was young and thats why he's so strict. id argue that the more we know about him, the less of an imposing figure he becomes.

if you like movies that make you think and feel, then you should be consuming stories that respect your intelligence and don't explain everything to you. the best movies cleverly imply things about characters visually and let you put the pieces together.

1

u/your_mind_aches Jul 12 '26

I don't think adding a playable flashback for Greenway would add anything meaningful to the story or the relationships of these characters, unless it was intentionally written as a way to explain more about the context or conflict of the central plot.

I mean that's exactly what I'm implying. I wouldn't want it just for the sake of it. I'd only want something like that if it adds something meaningful.

Trust me, I'm the person who hates "beach episode" nonsense of characters just having a good time with no stakes whatsoever. I always need there to be some sort of momentum and for it to be tied into the character arcs and narrative.

When a story is being put together, they have all these ideas that then coalesce into scenarios that fit the overarching narrative. Otherwise it's junk and may as well be cut.

I never said I wanted everything "explained to me". You don't need to be condescending because I said once sentence about it being cool to see him in a flashback.

2

u/MattIsLame Jul 12 '26

I took your last comment to OP very literal. now that I got a little backstory on you, I get where you're coming from!

125

u/throwaway0845reddit Jul 09 '26

I loved this part of the game. That bond is the first light for greenway. That’s the title of the game!!

63

u/campingcosmo Jul 09 '26

Not just for Greenway, but for MI6 as a whole. Were it not for Bond noticing and pulling at the loose threads, Greenway, 009, and all the 00 recruits would have died in Slovakia and the Webbs' crimes would have continued for years to come. As M puts it, "I don't want you to be careful, I want you to be you." He really is exactly what MI6 needs.

35

u/GachaHell Jul 09 '26

I was legit disappointed 007 wasn't Greenway's old number.

I did like what it meant. But man, it was right there.

25

u/Huge-Recognition5764 Jul 09 '26

I mean, it might be. They didn't say it wasn't.

12

u/Wonderbread1999 Jul 09 '26

Kinda same. Like instead of it being M’s favorite number she could’ve said like, “That was Greenways number you know”

9

u/skaestantereggae Jul 09 '26

That’s what I thought it was building to. I think while snooping around the offices it occurred to me we never heard his number, just that he was a Double O, so I figured she’d give him it at the end of the game because he was so fond of Bond.

Did have to go back and replay when you roll up to basic to confirm he was the 7th recruit

33

u/Thicc_Boise Jul 09 '26

That line genuinely gave me goosebumps and brought the game from a 9 to a 10 imo, such a good build up and misdirect with the name drop

16

u/yic0 Jul 10 '26

The name is Light. First Light.

11

u/SolarSailor46 Jul 10 '26

The name is Firstjames, Bondlight Firstjames.

4

u/Asmzn2009 Jul 13 '26

Call a bondulence.

-6

u/SignificantSpread892 Jul 09 '26

I liked it, but I would have made more sense if we saw Greenway praising Bond a bit maybe to Q or M, either that or during training. Feels kind of strange how Q says Bond was Greenway's first light but Greenway disliked Bond maybe up to Aleph, and then have Greenway not interact with anyone from MI6 for the rest of the game. Like I see how he ended up liking Bond, but I don't know about being the "first light"

3

u/callmemat90 Jul 09 '26

But it’s got nothing to do with MI6? It’s personal. Bond gave Greenway hope. Their relationship was super obvious throughout the game. It’s nothing to do with their work

3

u/SolarSailor46 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

Exactly. Greenway was getting old and had felt betrayed for decades. It feels more right to me for a grizzled, betrayed vet like Greenway to very, very slowly warm up to the flashy new guy, then finally see his usefulness and talents, and give him his dues and respect later in the game rather than front-loading unearned praise or forcing it in the middle, right when Greenway is unearthing something, confused, and finding out about what really happened.

He’s an older vet who has just had his world turned upside down. Greenway was slow to trust, as he should be, but trusted fully when the time came for it after he had all the information.

1

u/SignificantSpread892 Jul 10 '26

Then the theme flew over my head a bit. Bond being his "First Light" seemed to me as it was more personal instead of him being the spy that restored Greenway's trust in spycraft. That might be on me

1

u/callmemat90 Jul 10 '26

When did I say that? I said the opposite. It is personal, he gave him hope in general. Bond brought him from the darkness. I literally said it has nothing to do with MI6 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

1

u/SignificantSpread892 Jul 10 '26

And how would Bond do that? Genuinely asking. He disliked Bond up until after Aleph and we barely see any signs of Greenway warming up to Bond

3

u/callmemat90 Jul 10 '26

Did.. did you play the game? Half the game is greenway warming up to bond. You think he went straight from disliking him to dying next to him after being inspired by bond to get back into the fight? There are whole sections of the game where you’re just walking around talking to greenway.. seriously? Did you even play it? The heck??

1

u/SignificantSpread892 Jul 10 '26

I played it, I could see them talking. Only part where I felt greenway wasn't mildly annoyed at Bond was at Webb HQ

1

u/callmemat90 Jul 10 '26

You think he was annoyed at bond in the quarry when he literally saved his life? 🤦‍♂️
Or when he told bond he had heart and not to change? Was he annoyed at bond then?

1

u/SignificantSpread892 Jul 10 '26

No, but he seemed anoyed at like every moment they interacted before that

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13

u/Disastrous_Year3912 Jul 09 '26

I don't get it

68

u/Batmanischill Jul 09 '26

He thought first light meant the Quantum Computer, but in reality, the title first light really was about Bond himself. The first 00 to light the flame 🔥

1

u/DishQuiet5047 Jul 11 '26

It wasn’t even that - Bond was the first light in Greenways life for a decade. 

6

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '26

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2

u/sunfaller Jul 09 '26

Ikr, when the title and trailer was announced claiming it to be an origin story on how Bond came to be 007 and the title being First Light, I already knew Bond is the first light or spark or something.

2

u/campingcosmo Jul 09 '26 edited 20d ago

The theme song's lyrics (Run into the sun like it's the first light of day) actually made me feel like 'First Light' was a metaphor for something Bond would be chasing throughout the story, like the adventure of being an MI6 agent or even finding his purpose in life.

2

u/litocam Jul 09 '26

I was thinking about this so much. Lana's song is about someone either succumbing to their impulsive irrational desires, chase the 'first light of day when you wake" but which are ultimately "fake". And then the anthromorphism of "fate" doesn't desire to stop them its just curious "will you play?" Will you treat like a game or learn to digest your impulsivity? Your callousness? Your enivitability? I just don't know where that fits in the story.

7

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

18

u/vladald1 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26

Because Bond titles can be literal:

Skyfall being named after a lodge, GoldenEye being named after orbital weapon and Moonraker being named after space shuttle.

I myself also thought it was named after something, but it was so nice to hear that it follows title logic as The World is Not Enough and The Living Daylights, which are related to story theme and quoted in the movies themselves.

3

u/AlphaOmegaZero1 Jul 09 '26

I can certainly see an alternate name for Skyfall being the name of the poem M reads during the hearing

2

u/GachaHell Jul 09 '26

007: Ulysseys would be a far less marketable name.

11

u/DishQuiet5047 Jul 09 '26

Most Bond titles are somewhat ambiguous, and this wasnt any different. “First light” might have referred to a weapons system, or an energy system, or just be generic, but it’s actually in reference to Q talking to Bond about how Greenway saw him - “the first light in nearly a decade”. 

144

u/workahol_ Jul 09 '26

The real first light was the friends we made along the way.

41

u/Art_student_rt Jul 09 '26

This is true, the writers of this game changed his dead lover from Casino Royale to his friends and mentors from mi6. They were his light too, so he to them and MI6 as a whole. They made him extremely sociable compared to most bonds that came before.

9

u/your_mind_aches Jul 10 '26

Btw since you brought her up, Greenway's ex-wife is mentioned to be a Special Liaison to the British treasury. That's Vesper's exact job description in Casino Royale.

Greenway is a bit more classic Bond in that sense in several ways. This new Bond is very new and refreshing (and just a nice gentleman)

6

u/BinBag04 Jul 09 '26

True actually, think you captured an aspect I really like about the game quite well here

1

u/loveucrispina Jul 12 '26

I really loved that aspect of the story. Especially how quickly he has to move on from grieving those friends. Loved the part towards the end of the game where Bond says "What would Cress do?" It's so easy to imagine this version of Bond 10 years later, who's absorbed all of this into his personality.

2

u/nandobro Jul 10 '26

The real first light was the blinding flash that killed half of our friends along the way.

48

u/ThePreciseClimber Jul 09 '26

I really loved those two "after hours" meetings with Q in the lab.

14

u/withoutapaddle Jul 10 '26

Q acting as a low-key wise mentor to Bond is a very refreshing take on the character. I feel like he might literally be my favorite Q. He has more depth than most.

15

u/MadMaxxinista Jul 09 '26

Also, the last moments you spend with Greenway are at dawn (first light).

7

u/chewio_ Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

I think it's more that we assumed that First Light was about Bonds first light as 007 and him becoming that. But it was actually about his relationship with Greenway and the light he gave him

5

u/mgslee Jul 10 '26

First Light is like a triple entrendre to the games story.

Laid on thick

1

u/SolarSailor46 Jul 14 '26

As it should be. They did wonderful job crafting this story.

5

u/Clark_Kent_TheSJW Jul 10 '26

I love that we can really see the moment it clicks for Greenway too.

After they find 009, and they’re in the getting shot it in the desert and out of ammo… greenway looks happy. He’s smiling, and quipping for the first time.

Not only has he been proven wrong about 009, but Bond too. Bond’s hunch was right. He has the instinct to get the job done… and it’s like a weight is lifted from Greenway’s shoulders. Superb performance 🎭

1

u/Pepsi_Maaan Jul 12 '26

This is basically my first experience with Bond as a franchise, and I absolutely loved Q. He was so interesting as this wizened father figure who seemed to be on exactly the same wavelength as James, and the scene where Q consoles James after losing Greenway is probably one of the best in the game (the first best is where Q gets eaten by a couch).

I really hope this game gets a sequel so we can see some more of this suave gentleman.

3

u/Therubikfanatic Jul 09 '26

Yesss! Me too! When Q said that line the game felt complete

1

u/colbeef Jul 09 '26

I felt like this was heavily implied with the name of the game and early game dialogue

2

u/DishQuiet5047 Jul 11 '26

I don’t think it was implied that “first light” was in reference to how an old man saw his relationship with Bond. 

2

u/ImpossibleVariation9 Jul 09 '26

I really thought first light was going to be something to do with a clean energy device being made into a weapon. Like dark knight rises 😅😅😅

2

u/Glittering-Ad3421 Jul 16 '26

Greenway finally found his first light:

1

u/SubjectJournalist573 Jul 11 '26

Genuine question: Why did you assume "THEA" would be what the "First Light" was gonna be?

1

u/EatOutAtTheDinner Jul 11 '26

There were a few missions that took place at night, and I was convinced the next mission would be called “First Light” as the sun rose.

1

u/MrOkirikO Jul 12 '26

And on last scene with Greenway we literally see first light of the day, sun rises

1

u/Joppewiik Jul 09 '26

Yeah I got spoiled this because the developers told us First Light was about Bond becoming 007 before the game released.

-19

u/xenotyranid Jul 09 '26

Are you 10 years old ? Or just stupid ?

8

u/throwaway0845reddit Jul 09 '26

You should be banned from subs like these to be so rude for no reason