We seem to have entered a season in which video adaptations can no longer be written off as trash before we even watch them. One of the most lauded adaptations has been Amazon’s Fallout, coming back for season 2. Even though I have still not played the game (despite having “New Vegas” on my Steam wishlist for a couple of years), I quite enjoyed the first season of the show and was very excited about seeing where season 2 of Fallout takes us. Thank you to Amazon for providing the first six episodes of this season for review consideration.
When we ended season 1, Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) and The Ghoul (Walton Goggins) were following Lucy’s father, Hank (Kyle MacLachlan), in power armor, headed into New Vegas. We have a far better understanding of what happened with Vault-Tec and their participation in the end of the world. Because Lucy was going to follow her father, she had to split from Maximus (Aaron Moten), who returned to the Brotherhood of the Steel as a hero. Lucy’s brother, Norm (Moises Arias), was trapped in Vault 31, filled not with other people like him, but rather with a vast chamber of cryogenically frozen Vault-Tec employees. At the same time, the residents of Vault 33, which the MacLeans were a part of, had been split into those who stayed and those who were moved into Vault 32.
Which leads us into season 2 of Fallout. Lucy and The Ghoul are making their way toward New Vegas. While Lucy gained a sense of what life outside the vaults is like, she maintained much of her sunny attitude. As we join them, we see that Lucy is still trying to see the best in those on the surface, while The Ghoul trusts no one. The opening scene is filled with the action and violence present in the first season.
While we were separated from Hank in season 1, in season 2 of Fallout, we spend a bit more time with him. To keep this spoiler-free, I’m not going to say much about what he is doing inside New Vegas, but I feel like I can say that he’s not beating any of the negative feelings that The Ghoul or his daughter have about him.
Now a knight with the Brotherhood, Maximus is out in the field searching for information on the cold fusion device that was introduced last season. But it turns out that his branch of the Brotherhood isn’t the only group on the surface trying to keep order. In season 2, we meet a few different factions, including some very fun cameos. Maximus also meets up again with his friend, Thaddeus (Johnny Pemberton), who is trying to figure out how to exist as a ghoul.
There are some really interesting developments among the residents of Vaults 31-33 as well. Norm has to figure out how to escape Vault 31, and follows some unintended advice from “Brain on a Roomba”/Bud Askins (Michael Esper) to achieve that. Stephanie (Annabel O’Hagan) is trying to keep things working in Vault 32 along with Chet (Dave Register). There is continued tension in Vault 33 as they try to figure out how to go on without Hank MacLean.
In addition to the storylines playing out in the current times, there are also a number of flashbacks, giving us more insight into The Ghoul’s prior identity as movie star Cooper Howard. We gain much more information about the role his wife, Barb (Frances Turner), played in Vault-Tec’s plans for the company’s future. We also gain a greater understanding of what The Ghoul has stuck around for.
Because I have not played the games, I am absolutely certain that there are aspects of this season of Fallout that I missed that fans will appreciate. But as was the case with season 1, I found myself thoroughly entertained by the show, even without any outside connection to the source material. The story and performances are more than enough to keep even an uninformed viewer enchanted.
In addition to a compelling story, the visuals continue to be fantastic. This really does feel like a fully fleshed-out world. The various civilizations that have popped up on the surface have a very lived-in feel, and it’s fun to see how that creates opportunities for our characters. One of my complaints from season 1 was the lack of monsters. That is definitely addressed in season 2 of Fallout, with some awe-inspiring creatures throughout, including one that I am assured fans of the games will be excited to see.
Most of our main characters spend the first six episodes separated, which means there are a lot of individual storylines to follow. Because of this, some feel they are glossed over a bit, without really giving us much more information about them, but perhaps some of that is addressed in the final two episodes.
Overall, Fallout season 2 maintains the fun, frantic energy that it established in the first season. Whether or not you have played the games, if you’re a fan of dystopian television, there is a lot to enjoy in this show. And just like in real life, if the giant corporation that controls nearly every aspect of your life seems too good to be true, you probably want to approach it with some caution
Episode 1 of season 2 of Fallout premieres at 9 PM ET on December 16, with episodes releasing weekly on Wednesdays through February 4, 2026.
Learn more about the show, including how to watch, at the official site for the title.
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