TV Show: Fallout

I have found my new obsession.
I went into this show blind. I have not played nor witnessed the XBOX game Fallout, so I didn’t know what to expect with the new Amazon Prime show Fallout. I was blown away, nonetheless, with the world that was presented to me. To be fair, Jonathan Nolan produced the show, so it was bound to be a fantastic entity. After only two episodes I’m hooked and I can’t wait to binge the whole series. I’m ready for this post-apocalyptic the bombs-did-drop world.

We first join this Fallout world in the 1950s. This isn’t our 50s, though, it’s an idealized version of our past, one where the world of the Jetsons is present on Earth. While technology was slightly advanced in this version of the world, the threat of nuclear war was more imminent. The fear of nuclear bombs dropping in Fallout is real, and one that is witnessed by the audience. As terrifying as it is to watch the mushroom clouds grow bigger than your thumb, the inclusion of this backstory makes the world of the future that much more tangible. Fade to Black. And then, we are introduced to Lucy (Ella Purnell), Vault 33 dweller, 219 years after the explosions. Just as we begin to settle into the world of the vaults, our perspective is expanded as Lucy begins a journey into the surface world. Ready or not, we are off and running.

As I mentioned before, I am a novice when it comes to the game, but I enlisted a gamer friend to help me post-view. She was prepared to fill me in the confusion that arose when blanks in game-show translation were beyond repair. I’m thrilled to announce that I didn’t need her guidance, there was nothing that needed to be filled in. I understood the world we were in, both above and below the surface. Lucy is a great angle into these varied elements because you are learning your way around as she does on her adventure. For the gamers, you will be excited to see how the world of the game has been translated to the screen. All your favorites have been represented, from the cities that survived to the organizations that have arisen, but you don’t have the game spoiled for you seeing it on screen. Fallout is very clearly NOT a direct translation, but more of a spiritual sequel to the games. Sure there are plenty of Easter Eggs for the fans of the game, but not noticing those nods won’t ruin what you are ingesting. It’s a wonderful balance, taking the best of the game while creating something unique for the show.

From my understanding, in the game, you encounter different organizations and types of dwellers, but you are not following one distinct character. That is not the case with this show. Fallout gives the audience enough information to glimpse a bit of the backstory of these group/character types in the show (game), and you are allowed to grow with them as they mature throughout the series. I am excited to follow these inhabitants for 8 episodes, and I want to know more about this world and everything in it. 

There is one character, however, that has captured my full attention and soon-to-be full-blown obsession. The Ghoul. How can I not be a fan of this person when the brilliant Walton Goggins plays this character? If you didn’t just get chills from seeing that name connected to a ghoul, you don’t appreciate Goggins nearly enough. If you spend a few moments investigating his filmography, you’ll notice a wide range of characters, from the villain to the heart of gold to the complicated. It’s easy to assume that Goggins is pulling from his extensive repertoire to embody The Ghoul, and it’s fascinating to watch. I know I shouldn’t be rooting for him since he does seem like the villain of the series, but I can’t help it. I can only imagine that mimics the overall complexity of Fallout and the voyage we are about to travel through.

I cannot wait to digest this show, and I’m so grateful the entire season is being released at once. The world that has been presented is intriguing. The post-bomb world that is portrayed is more unique than what we’ve seen before, yet close enough to pull the heartstrings of the stories you’ve heard from older family members. In short, Fallout is familiar enough for you to know what to expect, but fresh enough to keep you engaged. For fans, it’s the world they’ve explored in the game, but they have never interacted with these characters before, making it a whole new experience.

And what an experience it is. I can already tell it’s going to be a show I rewatch when I’m in search of comfort in our crazy world (and yes I understand there is an irony mixed in there). I know my non-gamer voice might not be the best to express this, but I think this is an example of an excellent game adaptation. The filmmakers took the best parts of the game and elaborated it into the medium of a show.  I’m excited to dive right in, for my new obsession.

All 8 episodes of Fallout drop on the evening of Wednesday, April 10th. Get ready for your new marathon-worthy show.

Written by Lisa M Mejia
Images provided by Amazon Studios