If you’re a fan of Fallout games, chances are you spent the weekend binge-watching Season 1 of the live-action adaptation on Amazon Prime Video. While the series is a promising start for the franchise, there’s room for improvement, as noted by Phil Hornshaw in GameSpot’s review. He praised the show for its quirky setting and characters but felt it could have delved deeper into the game’s world.
While the fate of a second season of Fallout remains uncertain, the groundwork for one was laid in the final episode of Season 1, titled “The Beginning.”
Warning:
The following contains spoilers for Season 1 of Prime Video’s Fallout. If you haven’t watched it yet, proceed with caution.
The concluding episode is packed with significant developments, weaving together the storylines of the main characters and hinting at a broader narrative and new setting for a potential Season 2.
Recap:
In essence, Lucy (played by Ella Purnell) finally locates her father, Overseer Hank (portrayed by Kyle MacLachlan), who had been held captive by Moldaver (played by Sarita Choudhury). Lucy, a survivor of the New California Republic, discovers that Hank, once perceived as a benign Overseer, was actually a high-ranking executive at Vault-Tec. Meanwhile, Vault 33, adjacent to Vault 31 where Hank worked, served as a cryogenic facility for Vault-Tec executives, indicating their plans for post-apocalyptic reconstruction.
Subsequently, after Hank takes charge of Vault 33 and his wife Rose realizes the truth, she leaves with their children to join the NCR. Left behind, Rose becomes a ghoul, unable to end her life despite Moldaver’s captivity.
These revelations unravel a complex family dynamic and set the stage for future conflicts, hinting at the potential direction of Season 2.
So, what’s the deal with all of this? Throughout the season, the severed head of Wilzig (played by Michael Emerson) has been a key element driving the plot forward. As we approach the season finale, we finally learn the reason behind its significance. Wilzig had implanted an experimental cold fusion particle in his head, a highly sought-after technology desired by both the Brotherhood of Steel and the remnants of the NCR. The NCR aims to utilize it for empowering the people independently, while the Brotherhood seeks it for control purposes.
Another faction interested in the technology is what remains of Vault-Tec, including Hank. As Hank’s backstory unfolds, we witness his transformation from a seemingly cheerful individual to a cunning and deceitful character.
Enter The Ghoul Adding to the intrigue, we discover more dark secrets linked to Vault-Tec, drawing The Ghoul (played by Walton Goggins) into the mix. Previously known as Cooper Howard, a movie star associated with Vault-Tec, he uncovers shocking revelations about the company’s involvement in the nuclear attack and its collaboration with rival organizations.
The End of “The Beginning” Amidst the chaos, Maximus unwittingly releases Lucy’s father, Hank, who reveals his true colors. Meanwhile, The Ghoul arrives at Moldaver’s compound seeking answers about his family’s whereabouts, leading to a confrontation with Hank. Lucy, torn between her loyalty to Maximus and her newfound knowledge about her father, embarks on a journey with The Ghoul to uncover the truth. Before departing, she puts her ghoulified mother to rest and witnesses Moldaver’s demise as she activates the cold fusion particle, transforming the wasteland with free electricity.
What’s on the horizon?
Fortunately, the show drops some major hints about what lies ahead. As Hank sets off to gather allies for his cause, possibly including other Vault-Tec executives, he ends up outside a location that Fallout fans will recognize all too well.
