The season concluded with an early final episode, and what an episode it was. As always, we are huge fans of Fallout, the game, the show, and the expanded universe. A universe that includes video games, role-playing games, board games, and now a second season of a TV series. So with that in mind we couldn’t wait to jump at the chance to talk about season 2 with you all.
As always, we break down our review by story, action, and overall. So without further Ado, let’s jump back into the wastes.
Story 7/10
This season picks off where season 1 left off, specifically with the Ghoul and Lucy on their way to New Vegas to follow and find her father. Additionally, Maximus is now a high ranking member of his charter of the Brotherhood, and Norm is stuck within Vault 31.
Through the new season we see Lucy’s morals tested, as she is tricked and betrayed by the Ceasar’s Legion, rescued and drugged by the NCR, and is forced to murder to survive. Her brother Norm, on the other hand, has to continue to be creative and clever to find a way out of Vault 31. His plan? To release all of the Bud’s Buds so that together they can find a way to escape Vault 31.
Maximus on the other hand, unfortunately has the most difficult lesson to learn. Once again, he is belittled and chastised by the Brotherhood for the way that he thinks. As Quintus, Maximus’s leader in his chapter of the Brotherhood, begins to attempt to unite the factions of the Brotherhood to fight against the ruling group housed within the Commonwealth. This only forces a new test of Maximus’ spirit and mentality. However, when ghoul children are in the crosshairs he chooses to save Thaddeus and the little ones, putting him directly at odds with everyone at the Brotherhood.
The series does a really good job, not only showcasing the stress on the characters due to their situations, but in showcasing who these characters are as they fight over and over against the tragic and horrific facets of the wastlands and how their prior choices shape who they are becoming.
One such choice is Cooper Howard’s choice to betray Lucy, for the possibility of seeing his family, but Lucy, played by Ella Purnell, must make the choice between her morals and honor against the possibility of a safer, kinder, wasteland.
The most impressive of all the costs, however, is Maximus who’s through his refusal to give up, and dedication to trying to make the right choice, it’s strong enough to rally the forces of the NCR to pick up their mantle and return to battle.
Acting 8/10
Walton Goggins who plays Cooper Howard steals every scene that he is in. The only person who steals more scenes than him is Thaddeus, played by Johnny Pemberton, as every scene he’s in breaks down into either comedy, or some other type of body horror.
Also doing amazing job playing off each other as they struggle between who each other thought they were, and who they actually are all of which with the wasteland in the balance of it all.
The show does a great job with Norm, played by Moises Arias, as he gets to experience the Wasteland and some emotional beats, while also dealing with the horrors given to him directly from Vault-Tec. Well he’s not given a lot of time this season, Moises does a great job showcasing just how far being clever will get you.
My favorite stand out for this season however is Justin Theroux who plays the “actual” Robert House. His smart and smug attitude mixed with his calculating demenor is well presented in the series, and makes you want to love the supposed villain. Additionally, Annabel O’Hagan, who plays Stephanie Harper, also is given a lot of time this season, showcasing her backstory and presenting her as this tragic multi-layered foil for Vault 32. She will stop at nothing to survive.
Overall 7.5/10
This season feels a lot all over the place, when compared to last season. They did have a lot of ground to cover, and there definitely was a lot more explanation of what was going on before the bombs dropped. They are investing so much of the show’s ongoing emotional turbulence to Cooper Howard, and the Ghoul’s story. Hopefully, they’ll keep up that dedication in the third season, and not leave us hanging with the conclusion of his story.
Conner’s Final Thoughts
It was very frustrating seeing the misplacement of the hotels in New Vegas, or the wrong direction of the Novac dinosaur! That being said, it was a lot of fun seeing so iconic locations from the game presented in real life. I do feel however, there could have been more scenes inside of places within the series, but creative choices for the show really robbed us of finding out what happened to the White Glove Society, Gamorah, and the Tops.
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