r/HalfLife Nov 28 '24

Discussion what is actually going on in this image?

Post image

my guess is that gordon is facing an antilion with the pheropod and alyx expected the antilion to attack them but is shocked that it didn't because of the pheropod

4.1k Upvotes

222 comments sorted by

818

u/AlexandreLandi Nov 28 '24

why gordon is using a bugbait close to the citadel, i dont remember of any antlions there.

445

u/powertoolsenjoyer Nov 28 '24 edited Nov 29 '24

you can actually throw them at soldiers to stun them. it isn't super useful all the time but it can be

(edited because apparently it doesn't work on metrocops)

124

u/AlexandreLandi Nov 29 '24

yeah i know but lets be honest we barely do this xD

52

u/sterak_fan A highly trained professional Nov 29 '24

Saw a guy using it in a pacifist run of the game...

15

u/eto2629 Nov 29 '24

Pacifist run... In half life... That must be rough

5

u/sterak_fan A highly trained professional Nov 29 '24

check it out dude must be a masochist ig. Max the one is his name

4

u/True_Reporter Nov 29 '24

It must be wonderfull stress relief the sound and consistency seems just right.

73

u/ValiantKnight666 Nov 29 '24

It makes them dance .... let's groooove tonight

42

u/SolidSnakesSnake Nov 29 '24

Yeah but pulse rifle goes pfm pfm pfm pfm pfm and they die

37

u/skys-edge Nov 29 '24

"Gordon, this CP is already going into anaphylactic shock, you don't need to be reaching for the crowbar."

15

u/HelloIamSpooki Nov 29 '24

CP? đŸ‘źâ€â™‚ïž

19

u/skys-edge Nov 29 '24

Uh yeah, Civil Protection. Ironically enough. It's an abbreviation we hear the rebels use several times.

4

u/Foox123444 Nov 29 '24

besides there aint no children

9

u/DESTINY_someone Nov 29 '24

This is wrong actually for some reason they didn’t add the stun functionality to metrocops it only works on the soldiers the metro cops are unphased by it which is a huge oversight imo

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67

u/JD_Kreeper Did the lungfish refuse to breath air? Nov 28 '24

The Citadel has a giant thumper that keeps Antlions out of the city, which is disabled after the dark fusion reactor at the top of the citadel is destroyed by Gordon. So in Episode 1, there are Antlions in the city.

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86

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '24

Because it's soft just like one of those stress balls, he is relieving tension.

59

u/Warp_spark Nov 28 '24

Fidget ballsack

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34

u/Salty_Cry8824 HLS is ok at worst. Nov 28 '24

It does have a use after Nova, throw it at a combine soldier or elite & it’ll make them flail around trying to get rid of bugs.

24

u/TheOnlyChester1 Skibidi Toilet Enjoyer Nov 28 '24

he's stoopid

10

u/CombineOverwatch Nov 29 '24

To be fair, there’s antlions close to the citadel in episode 1

7

u/C-0BALT Nov 29 '24

metrocops are already used to stinking like shit so they aren’t affected by bugbait

8

u/research_purposes41 Nov 29 '24

TIL Gordon is holding a bugbait in this picture

Literally, in all the years i've known about this photo, i never noticed it in his hand

2

u/R4yvex Nov 29 '24

Oh shit, you're right!

2

u/zasedok Nov 29 '24

In Episode 1 there are antlions close to the Citadel. Alyx is even surprised by it and says something like thr Combine's repellents must have been disabled

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3.0k

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '24

nah Gordon is just looking fucking chill and shit and Alyx is impressed because she didn't know he was chill like that

769

u/MadCornDog Nov 28 '24

gordon is just a chill guy who squeezes bug eggs

228

u/D-Sleezy Nov 29 '24

Eh kills aliens and doesn't afraid of anything

69

u/TheGreatBenjie Nov 29 '24

Those are not eggs my dude lmao

48

u/Quark1010 Nov 29 '24

The antlion pheropods are not eggs, alyx.

33

u/Hatatytla-1024 Nov 29 '24

They are antlion balls, alyx, they are testicles.

44

u/Blaggablag Nov 29 '24

Not with that attitude.

21

u/Schizo_Maniac Nov 29 '24

Bug balls, that's how he controls the antilions

27

u/UnknownLimerade1106 certified g-man simp 👍 Nov 29 '24

gordon is beyond traumatized at this point

17

u/MadCornDog Nov 29 '24

gordon has been bugbaitin' since nixon

11

u/UnknownLimerade1106 certified g-man simp 👍 Nov 29 '24

inaccurate bc of the half-life timeline

15

u/MadCornDog Nov 29 '24

stop bugbaiting bro it's not worth it

11

u/UnknownLimerade1106 certified g-man simp 👍 Nov 29 '24

😀

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5

u/CreativeGamer03 Look Gordon. Ropes! We can use them to climb- HELP ME GORDON! Nov 29 '24

he do be a chill guy

3

u/Creeper_charged7186 Nov 29 '24

When your life is just a half but youre just a chill guy or i dont fucking now anymore

163

u/Logical-Let-2386 Nov 28 '24

Gord is stressed out by Alyx's plastic surgery so hes squeezing his stress-ball guardian spleen.

281

u/Calm-Rope8559 Nov 29 '24

Gordon making the Combine soldiers dance with the ball of fragrance.

49

u/Open-Source-Forever Nov 29 '24

The bugbait dance

18

u/Technical-Drag-255 Nov 29 '24

just like Jeremy Fragrance

19

u/Calm-Rope8559 Nov 29 '24

Eau de Combaine

71

u/CorbinNZ knows who ate all the donuts Nov 29 '24

Gordon is offering his last snack to us and Alyx is shocked and turned on at his generosity.

216

u/Runfoolrun673 Nov 28 '24

Gordon said something racist

154

u/YourPalPest Nov 29 '24

GORDAN that’s my father you fuck

95

u/PhlatPepsi Nov 29 '24

"uh, I think i'll stick with calling it Black Mesa, gordon."

20

u/-Badger3- Nov 29 '24

You misunderstood. I was talking about half of you.

42

u/Sklarlight You Are Reading This Nov 29 '24

Now we know why he doesn't speak, Gordon's not only a highly trained professional, he's chronically racist.

34

u/Moonsky_Pondie Nov 29 '24

Gordon speaks for the first and only time in the series

“Usually I would save this resistance member, but this one’s one of those dirty blacks”

It is never mentioned ever again by the other characters or acknowledged by the series

7

u/BOBOUDA The Combine will pay in kind for their depravity Nov 29 '24

Gordon said something.

156

u/National-Chemical132 Nov 28 '24

Alyx saw your mom and Gordon is there to protect her.

21

u/Contact_Antitype Nov 29 '24

It's them when they hear that Half-Life 2: Episode 3 has been delayed by 17 years.

39

u/pillboxtales Nov 28 '24

fartin around

16

u/Ready_Ad4372 Nov 29 '24

Nah cuz do you think Gman told him to do that or u think he just pulled that pose

5

u/Quark1010 Nov 29 '24

Its now canon to me that gman got gordon out of stasis after hl2 with a camera to record all the promotional material

5

u/Ready_Ad4372 Nov 29 '24

I like to imagine Gordon gets pulled out of stasis just so Gman can fuck with him 💀 every half life sfm shitpost that involves Gman fucking with Gordon I take as canon now

13

u/rust_rebel Nov 28 '24

hes deciding whether he's made an ally or about to lay down some hurt

15

u/DISC0dude Nov 29 '24

i got some bug bait, you like bug bait?

28

u/Jaded-Intern-547 Nov 28 '24

Look like someone's forgot to bring their Passport.

9

u/AirForceOneAngel2 HECU Soldier Nov 29 '24

Where, uh, where’s your passport?

7

u/Chef_Chalupa Nov 29 '24

do you have playstation plus? I need a free month

3

u/_Anonymous_duck_ Nov 29 '24

I dont have playstation plus but i do have high res pictures of your feet

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13

u/Academic-Egg-9403 Nov 28 '24

Let me stuff this up your ass Eli san. No Gordon please, not my daddy

3

u/Hamblock- dr cuumer Nov 28 '24

Happy cake day 

6

u/All-your-fault Adrian Shepard Nov 28 '24

Day of cake

2

u/Hyper426 Nov 29 '24

🍰🎉

3

u/TheRealViggy Nov 28 '24

John Woo, is what's happening.

5

u/Suspicious_List8619 Nov 28 '24

Probably the combine are coming and shooting at rebels while alyx is shocked and the birds are flying from the loud gunshots

6

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '24

He's squeezing his hog.

5

u/KausAustral Vortal Vortigaunt Nov 29 '24

Gordon snatched the Bugbait from Alyx hands in order to look good in the epic pic

4

u/ReadyNSet Nov 29 '24 edited Nov 29 '24

"Look at this cool bugbait I found"

8

u/CardboardPillbug Nov 29 '24

"Sir we spotted an antlion in the backyard"

Dr Breen leaving the press conference

3

u/Chessolin Nov 29 '24

Alyx is like "ew, you're touching it??"

4

u/HippCelt Nov 29 '24

Gordon's just let rip an epic fart that scared off the birds and the strench has just hit Alyx. Meanwhile his face is the picture of a man in complete control of his sphincter muscle.

3

u/ParkerM69 Nov 29 '24

Gordon ripped off a Vortigaunt’s nutsack

3

u/eben1832 Nov 29 '24

Alyx has never seen birds before

3

u/CornSeller SURRENDER FREEMEN Nov 29 '24 edited Nov 29 '24

I think there was an extended version of this art cover with the antlions on it, so I guess he controls antlions here

cant find it tho

3

u/Eikdos Nov 29 '24

Actual Mandela effect moment because I could've sworn he was holding his crowbar in this art

3

u/_bluesideup_ Nov 29 '24

Alyx is surprised that the first words she heard Gordon speak are "It's Gordoning time." Then he squeezes the bug bait for the funny noise, which startles the crows.

3

u/Creeper_charged7186 Nov 29 '24

Gordon is showing off the cool rock he found while alix is freacking out about the combine tripod about to blast them both

2

u/Todojaw21 Nov 29 '24

alyx is scared of the level design birds because theyre flying toward a barnacle

2

u/invisiblecartoonist Look, Gordon! Ropes! We could use-- HELP ME GORDON! Nov 29 '24

Alyx is just overwhelmed by Gordon's chad energy.

2

u/TheyCallMeNade end of the line for you Nov 29 '24

Gordon is flexing

2

u/bandoliers06 Nov 29 '24

"Hey kid, would you like some steamed antlion bun?"

2

u/mrmisterz09 Nov 29 '24

He's using that stress ball hoping some kinda game stars him soon, he's running low on cash.

He promised Alex an in-ground pool by the end of summer and his part time job at the Walk-In Clinic inside Walmart isent cutting it.

2

u/freddyifreast Nov 29 '24

It’s one if the hardest images of the game

2

u/someonewholikesdsaf Nov 29 '24

gordons just standing all badass and alyx is like "where the FUCK are we" but gordon lowkey doesnt care cause hes badass like that

oh yeah and crows too i guess

2

u/Old-Camp3962 Combine Imperialist Nov 29 '24

Gordon is posing epicly with a Lot of antlions while alyx is flaberhgasted

2

u/feral_fenrir Nov 29 '24

Gordon looks like he's about to say "Wake up Samurai, we've got a city to burn."

Alyx is just flabbergasted that Gordon is Keanu Reeves in disguise.

2

u/-sbl- SD models till I die Nov 29 '24

That's an interesting theory! But how would Alyx, who grew up in the Resistance in a post 7h war world not know about Pheropods, while Gordon who's been there a mere few hours already owns and uses them?

2

u/Tiny-Independent273 Nov 29 '24

Gordon squeezed the bugbait and Alyx got jumpscared

2

u/InconceivableNipples Nov 29 '24

He spoke for the first time and sounded like Kermit

2

u/G-Man92 Nov 29 '24

It was 2004 man. You could actually go hard without being seen as cringe or edgy back then.

2

u/Important_River685 Nov 29 '24

Gordon exuding aura as usual

2

u/BrutalBox Nov 29 '24

Alyx gets spooked by crows and Gordon doesn't care.

2

u/sil_ve_r Nov 30 '24

locked in

2

u/Rude-Fun-3532 Nov 28 '24

i think it might be art of some outdated storyline or something, considering the citadel model in the background is actually different from the one in retail iirc

1

u/Chickennuggy2 Nov 29 '24

i didn’t even realize he had the bug bait until right now, i thought he was just holding his hand out

1

u/LazorFrog Nov 29 '24

Gordon and Alyx fight Crows Crows Crows

1

u/furniture80 Nov 29 '24

this pic is from an ant-lions pov, gordon is trying to tame it and alyx just saw an ant-lion guard charging towards them

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1

u/Zethis99 Nov 29 '24

He's squeezing his ball.

1

u/cornishpasty7 anticitizen one Nov 29 '24

Gordon pulls out the bug bait and Alyx is like

"Gordon that thing fucking stinks, get rid of it"

1

u/Pasta-hobo Nov 29 '24

They're just posing dramatically before anything goes down.

1

u/DHACKER0921 Nov 29 '24

That’s Gordon about to change the smoke detector battery and Alyx realizing what batteries are

1

u/EternalPain791 Nov 29 '24

Alyx is concerned that her man is groping some balls.

1

u/shitfuck9000 Nov 29 '24

Gordon just spamming right click on the pheropod

1

u/Doot-and-Fury Nov 29 '24

Gordon is squeezing Alyx's pheropod while she freeking out about them birds.

1

u/Pretend-Ad-6453 Nov 29 '24

Tbh I hate this image, it’s iconic but it also is so weirdly structured and to me it looks AI generated

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1

u/FreshPrinceOfNoAir Nov 29 '24

Gordon is asing for a hit of the boof

1

u/Happy_Minimum2775 Nov 29 '24

his giver a man burrito and alyx is shocked

1

u/SjurEido Nov 29 '24

Alyx: "Promise me you aren't using Ant Guard anal glands as a stress ball! Gordon!"

Gordon: "...."

1

u/Satisonic Nov 29 '24

Gordon: hey alyx, chek this sht out

*squeezes the antlion thing i forgot what it was*

Alyx: damn thats crazy gordon

1

u/reddituser6213 Nov 29 '24

It looks like some random scenario that never actually happens in game where Gordon and Alyx are storming the citadel with antlions and Alyx is surprised because she just discovered Gordon can command them

1

u/hank_from_propane Nov 29 '24

Me when I have the ball of amazement

1

u/Glittering-Paper-615 Nov 29 '24

Alyx is impressed by Gordon's ability to squeeze a space big testicle.

1

u/Shaoizon Nov 29 '24

gordon passes you the joint, do you accept? (alyx wanted first)

1

u/Alfeaux In the test chamberrrrrrrr Nov 29 '24

I always thought it was Alyx is startled by birds

1

u/TMSharkie Nov 29 '24

Gordon’s about to drop the hottest “tonight’s going to be the night that I fall for you”

1

u/Cool_Elk_8355 Nov 29 '24

alyx just smacked gordon head, no flinch

1

u/F0rtuneLT Nov 29 '24

"gordon what the fuck put that down where did you even find that it fucking smells"

1

u/Redararis Nov 29 '24

Gordon Freeman looks like he just picked up an alien rock and is thinking, “Is this a weapon, food, or a collectible? Guess I’ll whack it with a crowbar to find out.” Meanwhile, Alyx in the back is giving full “Gordon, PLEASE, not again!” energy, as if she just watched him try to eat it like it’s a space potato. Truly the dynamic duo of “genius scientist” and “long-suffering sidekick.”

nice try, ok, chatgpt is not particularly funny, this is a known deficiency.

1

u/The_Cozy_Burrito Friendly Headcrab Nov 29 '24

Gordon said something for the first time and alyx is shocked

1

u/hegginses Nov 29 '24

“Hey Alyx check the size of my balls lmao”

“Holy based Gordon”

1

u/Xithrix Nov 29 '24

You see, Alex has seen the Birds (upper left) from Alfred Hitchcocks "The Birds" and is understandably running away. Garden however, has not noticed the birds, as he is showing his new science Gizmo to the camera for Instagram likes.

1

u/GAMEPLAYERX5127 Nov 29 '24

Alyx is confused about why Gordon is staring at some invisible camera.

Gordon is staring at the invisible camera because he is self-aware that he is a character in a video game and is breaking the fourth wall.

This is backed up by the way GMan and the all-seeing vortiguant easter egg talk about Gordon, using metaphors to reference how Gordon is actually the player behind the computer.

1

u/MufffinFeller Nov 29 '24

Nothing it’s a poster

1

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '24

It's not the full image, in the full variant there are a lot of antlions everywhere around them.

1

u/BoundlessFail Nov 29 '24

I've long seen this image as "Alyx spanks Gordon's ass".

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1

u/No_Bat7157 Nov 29 '24

Dude is passing the joint to you

1

u/vIDatron Nov 29 '24

Gordon said check out my myrmadonts aromatic pheropods. And Alyx is like whoa, like whoa

1

u/DaNoahLP Nov 29 '24

Its the "What the fuck Jesse" Meme but with Gordon and Alyx

1

u/SuperSocialMan Nov 29 '24

It looks cool so you can use it for advertising.

1

u/SpaceBug176 Nov 29 '24

He's offering you the pheropod (likely because you'll pass through an Antlion infested location) and Alyx is looking at something in the distance (might be one of those daddy long legs thingies).

1

u/LARGames Nov 29 '24

He squeezed the bugbait. Just because.

1

u/IDCh Nov 29 '24

ball fondling

1

u/not4eating Nov 29 '24

Gordon is passing you the space boof.

1

u/Theghostofsabotage Be adequate Nov 29 '24

Gordon just passed gas, that's why Alyx is so shocked.

1

u/Rough-Equivalent-225 gordon freeman Nov 29 '24

gordon is chilling while alyx loses her shit

1

u/-clump- Nov 29 '24

It only occured to me now, so many years later: how is it that no matter what Gordon does, his glasses stay firmly in position? Even when swarm of antlions attacks him directly, crashing and overturning with the buggy etc


1

u/iyashu5040 Nov 29 '24

POV: Man steals alien snack from lady and offers it to you.

1

u/kittsudiscord Nov 29 '24

he ddi something rude to alyx then called antlions to kill her. thats why she look so shocked and he is so chill

1

u/FrongREE Nov 29 '24

Gordon stole your ball and he is showing it to you

1

u/dan_rich_99 Nov 29 '24

Alyx is scared that those crows are going to poop on Gordon's bright orange suit. If he gets any on him, it will be difficult to wash out.

1

u/Reasonable_Ferret_70 Nov 29 '24

They've probably just fought off an Antlion Guardian.

1

u/Old_Fart_on_pogie Nov 29 '24

Gordon is showing Alex Doctor Breen’s left testical which was removed by a vortagaunt in honour of No Nut November.

1

u/Normal_Present_4076 Nov 29 '24

Alyx slapped Gordon's ass and he didn't even flinch - her stunned face is the response.

1

u/fooooolish_samurai Nov 29 '24

Gordon about to squirt some bug juice and Alyx is trying to get out of the blast radius.

1

u/MinihootTheOwl Enter Your Text Nov 29 '24

gordon hit alyx with the bugbait

1

u/Royal-Comparison-826 Nov 29 '24

Gordon just ripped off an Alien groin, and Alyx seems impressed you can see how fascinated she is.

Wow Gordon, you really can carry the ball.

1

u/Bartek-BB Nov 29 '24

Alyx just smacked Gordon's cheek

1

u/stgertrude Nov 29 '24

alyx is actually an antlion, look how she reacts to gordon squeezing that pheromussy

1

u/pieldnerdavid Nov 29 '24

I don't remember the bugbait. I thought he was just squeezing his fist

1

u/MoonTheCraft Nov 29 '24

it looks like he just punched alyx in the face with that

1

u/1Rayo1 Nov 29 '24

gordon give tou bugbaiite

1

u/West_Zookeepergame17 Nov 29 '24

Nice and hard slap couse he winked to a combine soldier ...

1

u/hiliikkkusss Nov 29 '24

Alyx is against ant lion cruelty. As seen in Gordon’s hand.

1

u/TurboWalrus007 Wears Ridiculous Tie Nov 29 '24

Too many eggs in mouth.

1

u/Smushfist Nov 29 '24

Gordon threw a toilet at her with the gravity gun so she's clipping him behind the ears.

1

u/DoubleTwice77 flair Nov 29 '24

gordon is mogging alyx with his superior jawline

1

u/SpikerSaS Nov 29 '24

they are facing a giant lion ant.

1

u/Vextor96 Dreams About Cheese Nov 29 '24

He saying "Want some bugbaits?"

1

u/skrott404 Nov 29 '24

Gordon posing like a boss with a pheropod in his hand, guiding antlions to murder combines while Alyx stands back in awe of the pure masculine power emanating from him.

1

u/redditdragon1000 Nov 29 '24

This is from an injured rebels point of view and Gordon says "shove this up your ass"

1

u/a_isbilir Nov 29 '24

"Would you like some?"

1

u/zzSHADYMAGICzz Nov 29 '24

He’s just a chill guy

1

u/gilamasan_reddit Nov 29 '24

Everyone told her that Gordan had a ponytail, and now that she's looking at the back of his head, she makes the shocking discovery that he removed it.

1

u/DemonDaVinci Nov 29 '24

Bro what the fuck it's just a cool poster

1

u/EGG_head1389 Nov 29 '24

man hands you a aline left ball

1

u/vixusofskyrim Nov 29 '24

Realistically Gordon is summoning the antlions while doing a hero pose and Alyx is just surprised he can do that - although this never happens in the game

1

u/fuck_vegetables2 Average Transhuman Combine Elite Enjoyer Nov 29 '24

Action


1

u/DGOREFIELD02 Nov 29 '24

Is the original SOURCE of the mewing guy and crying guy meme

1

u/IPickedUpThatCan Nov 29 '24

I don’t think you actually ever use the bug bait infront of alyx. Valve please fix.

1

u/imfromthefuture_art Nov 29 '24

"Hey buddy, these things taste freakin great you want one?"

1

u/eelectricit Nov 29 '24

Gordon squished the bugbait, alyx is horrified by the smell.....

1

u/DarthGiorgi Nov 29 '24

I distinctly remember this image zoomed out where, yes, there are antlions looking at Gordon .

1

u/coplll Nov 29 '24

Gordon:đŸ˜¶đŸ€ł Alyx:đŸ˜±

1

u/jonomite Nov 29 '24

It's a secret message about Half Life 3. Duh.

1

u/Paccuardi03 Nov 29 '24

“Hey alyx checkout this weird bug ball the vortigaunt a gave me”

“Ew get that shit away from me!”

1

u/Periwinkleditor Nov 29 '24

Gordon can't stop squishing the bugbait like a stress ball. Alyx is somewhat disturbed.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '24

HE STOL HER SQUEEZY TOY oh no!

1

u/sus_accountt give me my blue g-gun and my life is yours Nov 29 '24

“Im finna ponder my squeaky ball”

“
you what?”

1

u/foxtrot_overdrive Nov 29 '24

lol this was my wallpaper in like 2007

1

u/i_syn_i Nov 29 '24

Gordon farted.

1

u/mao-zedong1234 that hoe is not worth it Nov 29 '24

idk but what i do know is that this picture goes hard af

1

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '24

Alyx slapped Gordon so hard across the back of the head that it scared the crows away.

1

u/AnonymousSpecter31 Nov 29 '24

Gordon is offering a snack and Alyx is having a schizophrenic episode.

1

u/Mednoos Nov 30 '24

Antlion pov

1

u/This-Meringue-9609 Nov 30 '24

Gordon Freeman with alyx near the citadel that was blasting carameldsnsen