The premiere episodes of Fallout Season 2 deliver more of what we love. The series hits the ground running with an intense opening that adds more depth to the story.
After a thrilling first season, it’s time to return to the Vault for Fallout Season 2. With The Ghoul and Lucy MacLean navigating their way through the wreckage of the Nevada desert and Maximus returning to the Brotherhood of Steel, there are a lot of moving parts for the new season. With Lucy’s father, Hank, fleeing in his stolen armoured suit and heading for New Vegas, it seems all roads lead through the dunes. But what could Hank possibly want from a detour to Vegas? All will be revealed in the latest bunch of episodes dropping on Prime Video this week.
But can the new season build on the success of its predecessor and deliver another fantastic season of game-inspired television gold? Or should Fallout Season 2 be left to rot in the Wasteland?
REVIEW
Fear not, Vault Dwellers, because the premiere episodes of Fallout Season 2 deliver more of what we love. The series picks up exactly where we left off and hits the ground running with a pulse-pounding opening salvo that adds more meat to the bones of the story. Once again, the showrunners have developed a wholly original narrative this season. But just like its predecessor, fans of the franchise can look forward to a treasure trove of familiar tropes and iconography coming to life on screen.
The series quickly reminds us of the dystopian world we are returning to with an explosive reunion with The Ghoul and Lucy. Although their relationship is tenous at best, they have forged a partnership that is a joy to watch. Sometimes, these unlikely allies show signs of warmth and trust, while at other times, their differences threaten to split them apart. But as always, they are united by a common goal – to bring Lucy’s treacherous father to justice.
UNLIKLEY ALLIES
The season gets underway with The Ghoul trapped and at the mercy of an infamous Mojave Wasteland gang, with Lucy perched in the jaws of Dinky the T-Rex. Fallout game fans will have a field day with this little easter egg, and rightly so, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. The showrunners have doubled down on the first season’s mandate and have stayed true to the spirit of the games, throwing in easter eggs right and left, and they are a joy to spot.
This is our first exposure to The Ghoul and Lucy’s new relationship, and despite some teething issues, they work well together. However, when Lucy’s reluctance to dispatch the gang comes to the fore, The Ghoul takes center stage and erupts with an onslaught that had me smiling from ear to ear.
THE GHOUL
Once again, Walton Goggins is incredible in this role. Much like he was in the first season, The Ghoul remains the focal point of the show, and his antics are a gift that keeps giving. Goggins delivers an exceptional performance, portraying a confident actor-turned-super-spy in the past and a twisted, maniacal gunslinger in the present. Both aspects of his character are equally complex and enjoyable to unravel, and every viewer will enjoy his no-qualms gun-for-hire when he starts dispatching goons left and right. The essential world-building flashbacks return this season, adding depth to the backstory and introducing new characters as the season unfolds.
But regardless of who joins the cast, there is no matching Goggins. He was born to play The Ghoul, and his energy for the character is infectious. Based on the first two episodes alone, The Ghoul will play a significant role in shaping the future of the series, and I look forward to soaking up the mayhem.
LUCY & MAXIMUS
Likewise, Lucy and Maximus, although they are both on two very different paths this season, find themselves tested at every turn. Lucy, attached at the hip to The Ghoul, finds her principles tested and strained as she explores more of this dystopian world. In a dog-eat-dog world, the happy-go-lucky Lucy continues to view the world through her rose-tinted spectacles, but refuses to yield to The Ghouls’ harsh truth. How her story will unfold remains to be seen, but after two episodes, her journey this season is already an intriguing watch.
Maximus, on the other hand, finds himself back amongst the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel. Now celebrated as a hero, Maximus is enjoying his newfound status, although Lucy’s decision to leave with The Ghoul still weighs on his mind. But his latest mission to recover a precious resource changes his destiny, and soon, the entire Brotherhood of Steel army is rallying. Maximus’s role in season 2 will be pivotal, and Aaron Moten continues to play the character with wounded conviction. Even during the flashbacks, we get to sympathize with his tragic backstory and go back further than season one to shed new light on his character.
HANK
But perhaps the most significant character in Season 2 is Hank MacLean. In the opening episodes, the showrunners finally peel back the curtain to delve deeper into Hank’s shady backstory and the heinous acts he intends to commit. Like Goggins, Kyle MacLachlan is thriving in this role and brings a new level of quality to the character. Throughout the first season, Hank was portrayed as a charming diplomat until the facade faded to reveal his true nature, and in season 2, Hank’s dark side is spreading its wings.
How far Hanks’ depravity will go remains to be seen, but based on the premiere episodes, it’s going to be a jaw-dropping affair – especially if you’re an animal lover.
WORLD BUILDING
Thankfully, it isn’t just the characters who are rewarded with more depth this season. The worldbuilding and production value of the show continue to impress, and the set design delivers that war-torn, lived-in feel that oozes with the atmosphere of the games. The series continues to use practical effects, but it also features many computer-generated background shots. However, these do not compromise the quality of the post-apocalyptic world and instead enhance its scope. Similarly, the mutated creatures are incredibly well-designed and visually striking. But if you’re afraid of bugs, get ready to hide behind the sofa! You’ve been warned!
VERDICT
Overall, the opening episodes of Fallout Season 2 are an absolute blast. Prime Video has spared no expense on this series, and the results continue to impress. The show’s palette is vibrant, and the scale is off the charts. The Ghoul remains the anti-hero we know and love, and Lucy’s addictive innocence continues to push her forward through a dark and twisted world. But it’s Kyle MacLachlan and his delightfully evil performance as Hank MacLean that steals the opening episodes.
MacLachlan’s performance, coupled with some eye-watering kills from The Ghoul, and the spectacular world-building, make the opening salvo of Season 2 a winning formula for success. Let’s hope the rest of the season holds up, because on this basis, Season 2 is bigger, better, and more insane than ever.
Bring it on. Okey dokey!
Fallout Season 2 premieres on Prime Video on December 16th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
