Fallout, the best-selling role-playing video game, comes to life in Prime Video’s large-scale live-action adaptation. Helmed by Westworld creator Jonathan Nolan and writers Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner, the series explores a future United States ravaged by nuclear war from three very different perspectives. These individuals’ worlds collide as they all attempt to not lose their heads.
With the revelations from the previous episode, our three factions are set to meet at Griffith Observatory. Maximus reunites with the Brotherhood which has occupied Filly. His plot to present the phony head fails, and he faces punishment before Cleric Quintus (Michael Cristofer). To save his life, Dane finally admits they were behind their sabotage and foot injury. This level of loyalty impresses the cleric, and Maximus is spared. He promises to lead them to the actual target.
Lucy reaches the observatory and finds Moldaver. Her father is imprisoned as Moldaver kindly offers Lucy a seat at her table. The three of them aren’t alone as a malnourished ghoul is also seated. The next three scenes are masterfully woven together, merging the past and present to reveal the truth about Vault-Tec and Hank MacLean.
We flashback to Cooper Howard dropping his wife off to work at Vault-Tec headquarters. He attempts to activate his earpiece when Bud pulls up beside him. He allows the two to enter the building. After some hesitation, Cooper inserts the listening piece in his ear and enters after them.
We then travel back with Norm exploring the forbidden Vault 31. He discovers a brain attached to wheels, stuck behind a broom. The brain bot threatens Norm not to investigate any further. His attempt fails as Norm turns on the lights to reveal a massive corridor of incubators. Many are occupied while others are not.
Back in the past, Cooper activates his listening device to eavesdrop on his wife and Bud Askins’s meeting. The two are briefing other major vault companies on their new strategy to defeat their competition: time. Bud reveals that the connected underground vaults will promise a select few safety from possible nuclear destruction by simply outliving the competition. Then, these select few will manage vault occupancy through controlled experiments, testing different societal formulas. When challenged about how they can guarantee people will use the vaults in the first place, Barbara reveals that Vault-Tec will drop the bombs themselves. Cooper is dumbstruck by the revelation and Barb’s complicity in Vault-Tec’s plan. Still stunned by the news, Cooper is finally introduced to the new employee and his number one fan. Henry is none other than Hank MacLean.
Back in the present, Norm discovers Vault 31 manages tests in Vaults 32 and 33 with overseers plucked from the incubating pods, aka Bud’s Buds. This was the time management idea Bud devised as a way for vault executives to reach immortality. Norm seeks to return to Vault 32 when the door closes, locking him inside. The brain revealed as the only remnant of Bud Askins, advises him he will not last without food. Instead, he should hop in his father’s pod.
We return to the observatory, where Moldaver explains how she knows Lucy’s parents. She details how Rose found life on the surface. But when she told Hank, he advised her to forget about it. Her curiosity discovered Hank was hiding other things, so she escaped the vault and took her children with her. But Hank found Rose, took back his children, and destroyed the civilization, which turned out to be Shady Springs. Hank and Vault-Tec could not risk competition. Lucy asks Moldaver what happened to her mother. Lee gestures to the ghoul at the table which is wearing the same locket necklace as Lucy.
Moldaver tells Lucy Wilzig’s head possesses cold fusion energy, the same infinite energy that powers the vaults. She wants to harness the power for the surface and rebuild, but only Vault-Tec personnel can activate its power. Lucy begs her father to give Moldaver the code. He submits, allowing Moldaver to begin the testing process. The procedure is interrupted by alerts of intruders. The Brotherhood has arrived.
As Moldaver’s infantry battle the armored knights, Maximus searches the observatory for Lucy. He finds her and sets Hank free so they can return home. But Lucy stops him, tearfully telling him the truth about Hank. Enraged, Maximus seeks revenge but Hank gets the upperhand. Inside the knight’s armor, Hank knocks Maximus unconscious. Lucy pulls her gun on Hank, who calmly tries to talk her down. Just then, someone fires striking Hank’s face. The Ghoul, aka Cooper Howard, reunites with his biggest fan, demanding to know his family’s whereabouts. Under pressure, Hank flees the observatory.
Lucy, unable to wake Maxiums, ponders on her next move. Pulling her gun, we think she’s going to shoot the Ghoul. Instead, she shoots her mother, relieving her of any more suffering. Then, leaves her weapon with Maximus and promises to find him. With a cold “Okey dokey,” she accompanies the Ghoul and CX40 as they track her father’s trail.
Later, Maximus awakens to find a bloodied Moldaver finally activating the core fusion. Instantly, the night is littered with lights across the Wasteland. In her last breath, Moldaver asks Maximus if he will fight for the future. The Brotherhood finds Maxiums. Assuming he has killed Moldaver, their enemy, he’s celebrated as Knight Maximus.
The season finale was an amazing feat in storytelling. The multiple reveals, which could have felt overstuffed, are layered perfectly delivering surprise and emotion. Paired with the excellent writing is solid action. This episode in particular illustrates the real causality when violence is used as a tool to rule. Nobody wins. Wonderful acting, especially from Walton Goggins, playing two versions of the same character. Seeing the two archetypes as one in the final moments is tragically beautiful. It’s a testament to the show’s themes of heroism, and how those in power control the narrative.
Rating: 10/10