Based on a video game staple, Fallout Season 1 is a story of haves and have-nots all fighting over what is left of the world. Set two hundred years after the apocalypse, this Amazon Studios series and Prime Video Original embraces the weird hyperviolence and camp of the video games. The series comes from Kilter Films and executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, with Nolan directing the first three episodes. Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner serve as executive producers, writers, and co-showrunners, bringing Bethesda‘s world to life. But with a Certified Fresh season already in the TV history books, what does Fallout Season 2 have to offer? Our answer: It can grow this lore so much more.
Take note, before you scroll, spoilers are everywhere in this article.
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Lucy Can Is On Her Own Path
With an optimistic attitude and a clear “okie dokie,” Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) took on the Wasteland this season and in Fallout Season 2, she can be so much more. As a character, Lucy has undergone the most growth of anyone this season. From naive Vault-dweller to Wasteland veteran, Lucy won’t be taken advantage of anymore. But most importantly, she hasn’t lost her hope and her kindness along the way. Yes, even if she pulled a gun on her father.
One fo the strengths of Fallout’s narrative is that Lucy was able to keep her kindness while she lost her innocence. Much of that is thanks to the people around her, especially, the back and forth between here and Walton Goggins’ Ghoul. That said, there is so much more for her to be and places to go. While she has joined the Ghoul and Dogmeat in search of her father (still), she has a new meaning to her quest.
Was that the G.E.C.K?
Look, in the games the G.E.C.K.(Garden of Eden Creation Kit) is pretty much a cute little suitcase made by Future-Tec to ease the process of returning to the surface for Vault-dwellers. And what is a suitcase but a thing to carry other things. In this case, it’s Dr. Wilzig’s (Michael Emerson) head. While there isn’t a confirmation, the fervor with which Maldaver and the New California Republic, Brotherhood of Steel, and Enclave pursue Dr. Siggi Wilzig and his cute dog CX404 (later named Dogmeat, because, of course) can’t be for anything. When it comes to world-changing tech in the Fallout games, the G.E.C.K. pretty much fits the bill.
And if it is, in fact, the very important Garden of Eden Creation Kit, well, the power dynamics of the Wasteland have completely changed. Since, well, the Wasteland isn’t barren anymore. If this proves to terraform the surrounding area, Fallout Season 2 can be substantially changed compared to this first season. Which means the excitement is just going to keep growing. While the G.E.C.K. is the goal in Fallout 2, Fallout 3, and Fallout 76 what happens when you actually get it? Maybe we’ll find out!
The New California Republic Has Fallen
The final episode of Fallout Season 1 shows the fall of the New California Republic. While Shady Sands fell when the second bombs dropped and left Maximus orphaned, the NCR still held on under Lee Moldaver (Sarita Choudhury). One of the most contentious points in fandom before the Fallotu series premiere was that the last time we saw the NCR, it was thriving. But now?
It’s been pushed to the brink of extinction as the Enclave and The Brotherhood of Steel close in, and of course, the old Vault-Tec assets in Vault 31 ensure a status quo that no one outside their corporate walls agreed to. When it comes down to it, the fall of the NCR makes the season’s end credits with the New Vegas image feel all the more intriguing. What fills the power vacuum left by Moldaver’s death? We’ll have to see.
Maximus is Back With the Brotherhood of Steel
My only critique for Fallout Season 1 was Maximus (Aaron Moten) and how little he was developed in relation to the other characters in the series. Not only that but while we got the chance to look at the militaristic Brotherhood of Steel driven by fascistic religious zeal, we didn’t really see how they work. In Fallout Season 2, Maximus is surely back with them. Only now, he’s helping install a new order, which believes he is responsible for the fall of the New California Republic.
Ultimately, Maximus has the most to gain from Fallout Season 2. A second season will do wonders to show Maximus grow, especially as he’s come to question the Brotherhood’s motives and existence. Aaron Moten has so much to offer, but we have to see that opportunity seized. Give him more episodes depicting life in Shady Sands and the New California Republic. Use him to build out the world before the second bombs, exactly like the Ghoul in the first season, and it can be stellar.
Give Us More Abominations
This first season of the Fallout series offers a giant axolotl-looking abomination that’s also Vault 4’s uncle, who happens to have fingers for teeth. And, of course, there is no shortage of radroaches roaming and attacking everyone in the Wasteland. But when it comes to the giant creatures that the Fallout series has become known for, we’ve only seen skeletons and remnants. Fallout Season 2 can bring us so much more of the crazy enemies that the Wasteland holds. Whether its Super Mutants, Death Claws, or more, we need them now.
We’re Heading to New Vegas Baby in Fallout Season 2
There isn’t much to say here other than that Lucy’s terrible father, Hank (Kyle MacLachlan), has brought the story to New Vegas’ doorstep. Because of Todd Howard’s involvement as an executive producer, bringing the storyline for Fallout Season 2 to the doorstep of the game that Bethesda doesn’t own is bold. At the same time, however, it fits with what we’ve seen from the stellar first season.
So much of Fallout Season 1 is centered around Fallout 2 and how it constructs its narrative around the bombs and the New California Republic. But with the NCR pretty much decimated in Episode 8, well, only time will tell.
But no matter what comes next, Fallout is lightning in a bottle. It’s the best of video games and the best of television, and we’re ready for more.
Fallout Season 1 is streaming now exclusively on Prime Video.
Fallout is New Standard for Video Game TV | Review
Amazon Studios’ Fallout brings audiences to Vault 33, the Wasteland, and builds the lore larger than we’ve seen before. We review Fallout Season 1. Read our 9.5/10 full review here: https://butwhytho.net/2024/04/fallout-tv-show-review-amazon-studios/
