Amazon Prime: Fallout (Season 1)

I know that I’m a few months late with this post. I apologize for that. But, I really wanted to take my time and collect my thoughts before I talked about this show. When Fallout the television series was first announced, I was both excited and skeptical. If done right, the Fallout universe would make for some seriously epic television. However, due to the unusual aesthetic of the Fallout universe and the often bizarre nature of the lore, I knew it would be extremely challenging to adapt to the screen. Well, the show has been out for a few months now and I’ve taken my time to watch and analyze the series. I’m happy to report that Amazon Prime studios absolutely got this thing right. Fallout the television series is nothing short of astounding.

I want to be up front and admit that when it comes to the Fallout games, I’m not one of the most educated fans. In fact, at the time of this writing, the only games in the series that I’ve actually played are the original Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout 76. It wasn’t until the third game that the series really surged in popularity. With that in mind, there’s plenty of lore that I didn’t know going in. Even so, the writers managed to make this show approachable. So even if you’ve never played a Fallout game in your life, you can totally enjoy this series.

If you’re a fan of the games, it is important to know that the series is indeed part of the official canon. Chronologically, it takes place after every game that’s been released up to this point. There’s a few different storylines in the show, but the main focus is on the character of Lucy, a resident from Vault 33. Early in the series, Vault 33 is attacked by raiders and Lucy’s father is kidnapped and taken to the surface. Lucy sets off on a mission to find and rescue her father.

The show also focuses on the characters of Maximus, a young solider enlisted in the Brotherhood of Steel and “The Ghoul” a ghoulified bounty hunter that has been alive since before the great war. Each of these characters have their own separate story arcs, but as you might expect, they eventually all intertwine. Aside from just good character-based stories, the series has a very heavy focus on the background lore of the games. This includes information on the Great War and even the background of Vault-Tec and the mysterious history it.

I could go on and on about all of this, but I really feel it’s best to experience all the twists and turns of the story by actually watching the show. Spoiling this series with my review would be a major injustice. So for this reason, I’ll move on to another topic.

I can’t stress enough just how well this show manages to nail the unique vibe that the Fallout games are known for. The advanced/retro technology is present here. The same can be said for the oldies music and the old school Americana-style art design. Even the series’ unique brand of black humor translates to the screen flawlessly.

One thing worth mentioning is that this show isn’t for those with a weak stomach. To say that Fallout is violent would be an understatement. Blood and gore seems to be a staple for this series. This show ranks right up there with The Evil Dead and other over-the-top horror movies when it comes to gruesome visuals. I mention this because while this plays well into the black humor of the show, it could easily be a bit overwhelming for some viewers.

The final thing I want to mention about the show is the acting. I’ve heard some criticism that the acting in this series seems to be bit a campy. I suppose that’s true to an extent. But at the same time, it’s a perfect fit for the Fallout universe. In this world, everything is dialed up just a few notches above what would seem to be normal. So for me, the overacting felt like a perfect fit. Both Ella Purnell (who plays Lucy) and Walton Goggins (The Ghoul) are at their very best in this show. They do such a superb job with these characters that I can’t imagine anyone else filling these roles.

I will be the first to admit that this isn’t a show for everybody. But for fans of the game or even just casual viewers who are looking for some new and unique, Fallout is going to scratch that elusive itch. I went into this series not expecting much. But at the end of the day I was absolutely elated at what I saw. Just about everyone on the planet has an Amazon Prime membership. Take advantage of it and give this show a watch.

Final Thoughts: Well written, gripping, and extremely entertaining. This is game-to-cinema done right! Very mature with lots of blood and gore. Certainly not for children, but if you’re a fan of the games you’re going to absolutely love the show.

Mature Content: YES – Language, nudity, sexual themes, violence, gore

Number of Episodes: 8

Score (1 out of 4): 4