FALLOUT: SEASON TWO
Starring: Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins, Kyle MacLachlan, Frances Turner, Michael Cristofer, Justin Theroux, and Macaulay Culkin
Creators: Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet
QUENTIN
I’ve long thought that some shows are better for binge-watching while others are better for a week-to-week experience. Fallout’s second season, which adopts a weekly release model after Season One dropped at once, may prove my theory. While the world-building is still creative and Walton Goggins continues to electrify as The Ghoul, none of the way-too-many subplots resonate because so little time is spent with them on a weekly basis. Since those storylines are so poorly developed, leading to substantial pacing issues, I struggled to return every week. In a binge, that’s likely not an issue; however, as delivered, Fallout: Season Two is a massive disappointment.
PAIGE
While Fallout remains an entertaining and immersive post-apocalyptic show, Season Two struggles to balance its multiple storylines by adding too many subplots. It’s not a bad season per se, but its plot is just all over the place, which leaves it feeling unfocused. Many arcs are stretched too thin and, quite frankly, lack the substance and depth to allow you to care about what is going on. That said, what Fallout continues to have going for it is its rich world building, fun characters, and bombastic action sequences. Hopefully Season Three will tighten up its focus and deliver what it is capable of.
ROBERT
I am not a purveyor of the Fallout games, but Season One was enthralling as a post-apocalyptic thriller that lived simultaneously in the Wasteland, the Vaults, and the past where each era/location informed the stories of the others. I know, however, that New Vegas is an important locale for the lore, so Season Two had high expectations. It seemed somewhat derivative to me as everyone was doing pretty much what they did in Season One, and there wasn’t much development amongst the characters. The acting and the action still delivered, but I didn’t think there were any meaningful additions to reach nuclear levels.
