Fallout Season 2 Gets Positive Reviews, But There’s One Major Flaw

The second season of the Fallout series on Amazon Prime is set to launch today, and early reviews are rolling in with mostly positive feedback, though some critics express concerns about the story branching out in too many directions.

Picking up right where the first season ended—with Lucy, played by Ella Purnell, and Walton Goggins’ Ghoul on the hunt for Lucy’s villainous father—this new season transports us to one of the most beloved settings in the franchise: New Vegas. The dynamic between Goggins’ cynical Ghoul and Purnell’s innocent Lucy continues to shine, maintaining a fresh chemistry, even though critics only previewed six of the eight episodes.

While the first season focused heavily on establishing the characters and their relationships, including Aaron Moten’s Maximus, a rookie soldier in the Brotherhood of Steel, this season shifts its attention to the various factions vying for power in the post-apocalyptic landscape. As in the games, the conflicting ideologies and tensions among these groups complicate the journey for Lucy, the Ghoul, and Maximus, potentially overshadowing their individual adventures.

This season also features numerous flashbacks to the time before the apocalypse, particularly exploring Goggins’ character, Cooper Howard, who observes his wife’s dealings with the Vault-Tec corporation. The show makes it clear that the nuclear devastation stems from the greed of tech executives, with one character noting, “every dollar spent is a vote cast.” The portrayal of billionaires eagerly eyeing post-apocalyptic opportunities adds a layer of social commentary.

One review likens the structure of season two to that of Game of Thrones, with multiple concurrent storylines that make the narrative feel as expansive as the wasteland itself. This results in a packed season with some inevitable casualties, particularly affecting the vault dwellers, whose antics may clash with the overall tone.

Reviewers have shared a range of opinions on the new season, which currently boasts a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews:

Concerns have been raised about Fallout potentially following a similar trajectory as Westworld, where the world expanded but the story became more generic. There’s hope that the final episodes of season two will steer the series back on course, especially with a third season already confirmed.

While not every storyline captivates equally, the series maintains a brisk pace that keeps viewers engaged. For fans of the Fallout universe, spotting Easter eggs and seeing various factions come to life on screen adds a delightful layer of enjoyment, even if newcomers might miss some of the nuances.

The show continues to impress with its striking visuals and intense character dynamics. There’s no shortage of gruesome ways for the irradiated inhabitants to meet their end, nor are there any lack of mutant creatures for Lucy, the Ghoul, and Maximus to confront. Both Parnell and Moten have settled into their roles, with Moten’s portrayal of Maximus feeling more natural this time around.

However, the heavy focus on world-building suggests that the creators are eager to expand the Fallout universe with potential spinoffs and sequels, even as they still need to develop the characters that initially drew viewers into this corporate-controlled post-apocalyptic world.

While comparisons to Westworld and Game of Thrones raise some concerns, personal impressions will come once I can watch season two myself—especially since I was one of the few who enjoyed the Halo series.

New episodes of Fallout season two will be available every Wednesday on Prime Video, starting today.