Season two of “Fallout” has had fans clamoring for months since its initial announcement, largely because it unfolds in the same city as the critically acclaimed entry of the game series, “Fallout: New Vegas.” Thankfully, Prime Video’s adaptation of the RPG franchise is another hit. However, while season two is full of high stakes, it doesn’t completely go all in.
The series resumes where it last left off. Lucy’s father has escaped to New Vegas, prompting her to team up with the Ghoul and head after him. Meanwhile, Maximus finds himself back in the Brotherhood of Steel, where his morals clash with his leaders’ prejudices.
Fans will be delighted to learn that this season follows the ending of “Fallout: New Vegas” in which greedy RobCo CEO Robert House emerges victorious in his hostile takeover of the city. Although, you can barely tell from first glance due to how broken the city has become.
This excellently removes predictability for people who have played the game, and it was interesting to see how other aspects of New Vegas were changed. For example, the Kings are now a pack of snarling ghouls that still manage to imitate Elvis through their zombie-like behavior.
Unfortunately, this season’s pacing falters sometimes, especially in its first few episodes. Some crucial moments don’t hit as hard as they should, no matter which of the three protagonists you are watching.
Lucy’s strong ethical compass gets her in even more trouble in this unforgiving setting. It was fun seeing her dynamic with the Ghoul, given their conflicting personalities.
Walton Goggins’ performance as the Ghoul is still spot-on, but his performance as his pre-war self is stronger this season. Here, he’s on the search for his family, but flashbacks to his past explore his connection to Mr. House. If anything, his moral ambiguity cements him as an anti-hero.
Maximus finds himself in a situation reminiscent of his previous one in the first season, resulting in him abandoning ship once again. That’s great, because his early moments back in the Brotherhood weren’t all that entertaining compared to his departure.
More importantly, season two satisfyingly revisits side characters. Thaddeus comically deals with his irradiated state; Chet realizes his relationship with Steph wasn’t the love story he dreamt of; and you even see where the snake oil salesman ended up.
That blood-soaked “okie-dokie” attitude that “Fallout” carries is still present this season and will still make you smile. Any time a Deathclaw showed up, I was on the edge of my seat. I also won’t forget how the Ghoul slaughtered the Great Khans, or when vault dwellers broke out into dance to the tune of Elton Britt’s “Uranium Fever.”
While season two successfully adapts the post-war retro-futuristic world of “Fallout” through and through, it didn’t ooze “New Vegas” as much as I wanted it to. No, unfortunately, you won’t see any Cazadors, Powder Gangers, or drifters squabbling over Sunset Sarsaparilla star bottle caps. Some easter eggs require a closer look or you’ll miss them, but there are multiple great cameos, including Macaulay Culkin of “Home Alone” and Jon Gries of “Napoleon Dynamite.”
Like the story of “Fallout: New Vegas,” season two centers on power. Factions are in civil wars, and Hank MacLean and Mr. House are two villains bent on control. However, nothing too serious transpires before the season ends. Everything felt like it was just getting started by the end.
RATING:
Maybe this trip to New Vegas was slightly underwhelming, but “Fallout” season two is still a great watch despite its shortcomings. It’s a great setup for what’s to come, and hopefully, season three will deliver on all this potential and be a blast.