The End

We're certainly entering a new era of video game adaptations finding a home on television. A lot of years have gone by with adaptations on the big screen and most of them have been quite poor, which resulted in a popular expectation that they would all just fail if they were adapted. However, "The Last of Us" came out and surprised everyone with its quality, and now, it's up to "Fallout" to continue that goodwill and show us that it wasn't just a one-time fluke. And if the first episode is to be taken by its word, it seems like we might continue the streak.

The episode opens with a powerful depiction of the end of the world. It's a big and gutsy way of opening your show, and it sets up the world beautifully for people who don't have any prior knowledge of the games (like me). Afterwards, the show goes into the overall expansion of the world, cutting between three different stories that are meant to set up different aspects of the world. The three things work very separately, but it makes for some clunky editing choices throughout the episode and it feels a little disjointed at times. However, the information is conveyed with the precision that it needs to be and it keeps the audience along with the show and its mythology. The design of the episode is very beautiful and it feels like the kind of world that would remind a post-apocalyptic society of a better time. I've also been told that the design is very reminiscent of the game, so the fact that they keep it real for the fans of the games is also very special and commendable. Jonathan Nolan directs this episode and he is a very versatile director, because the look of this doesn't resemble that of "Westworld" at all, but the style is definitely the same, so his ability to adapt himself to the environment that he's in is very interesting, and he certainly works his butt of in this episode. The performances are also very good, but I'll need a bit more time to get into the characters for real.

"The End" is a good way to start this show off and it immediately tells the non-video game fans what they need to know. It sets up the world in three interesting, although disjointed segments that sell the world and the environment very well, and sets up a very interesting show to follow along with.

Greetings from Lithuania.

"The End", the first episode of "Fallout", an adaptation of a very popular video games franchise was everything I was hoped for it to be. I've played every game in the series except for first two, and I really liked them very much. Earlier last year "The Last of Us" adaptation set the bar high for games turned into TV, and this time "Fallout" with it's opening knocked out of the park. It's a fantastic opening.

I loved the world building, sets, main characters and storytelling in first episode very much. It's an opening that gets you hooked, and I will definitely going to watch remaining episodes of season 1.

The series "Fallout" begins with Episode 1, "The End," establishing the post-apocalyptic world in which the characters must navigate the shattered remnants of society. The episode kicks off with a strong visual narrative, immersing the audience into the bleak landscape after a nuclear disaster. The tone is set from the opening scene, where we see crumbling buildings, desolate wastelands, and remnants of pre-war civilization. This episode centers on introducing key characters and the dire situation they are in, showing them struggling to survive in a world where the rules have dramatically changed.

The direction by the episode's helmer is sharp and focused, ensuring the audience feels the weight of the world's collapse without losing the human element of the story. The camera work beautifully captures the vastness of the devastated world, juxtaposing it against the intimacy of the characters' personal struggles. The use of close-up shots emphasizes their fear, desperation, and hope. However, the pacing at times feels uneven, with some moments dragging while others feel rushed. The first half of the episode takes time to establish the setting and introduce the rules of this dystopian future, which could have been streamlined for greater impact.

Performance-wise, the ensemble cast delivers solid portrayals of survivors clinging to hope amid overwhelming adversity. The lead actor, in particular, stands out with a nuanced performance that conveys a mix of resilience and vulnerability. Supporting characters, while compelling, lack depth in this initial episode, but the foundations for potential development are clearly laid out. This may be a deliberate choice, focusing first on setting the tone and world-building before delving deeper into individual arcs. One standout scene showcases a tense confrontation between two survivors, highlighting the moral gray areas that will likely become central to the narrative.

The script effectively introduces core themes of survival, morality, and human nature in the face of catastrophic loss. Dialogue feels natural, though at times it leans into clichés typical of the genre. That said, the world-building is the true highlight here, with careful attention to details like the fallout shelters, scavenging for supplies, and the oppressive atmosphere of fear. It's evident that the showrunners have taken great care to remain faithful to the source material, yet they inject their own flair, making the story accessible even to those unfamiliar with the "Fallout" video game franchise.

In conclusion, "The End" sets up a promising premise for the series, though it is not without its flaws. The episode struggles with pacing in parts and some characters feel underdeveloped at this stage. However, the world is captivating, the performances are strong, and the visual and thematic elements are engaging enough to keep viewers invested. If the show can balance its pacing and flesh out its supporting cast, it has the potential to become a standout series in the post-apocalyptic genre.

What a terrific premiere episode. Between this and The Last of Us, it looks like video games are a great source for series, with so much smart (and in this case, satirical) worldbuilding and visual style already done.

The look of Fallout is both familiar and fresh. We've seen this retro-grunge routine before, such as in Apple's Silo. But they've amped it up for Fallout beyond all expectations. I can only compare this with Amazon's The Man in the High Castle for both creativity and sheer volume of gorgeous and fun details to look at.

They waste no time in getting right to the series' premise, while also finding time to introduce side characters. I expected Walton Goggins' Ghoul to be intriguing but I'm also interested in Lucy's father, brother and cousin. They whipped up a whole family circus there in just a few scenes of one action-packed episode.

Never quite catched eye with the Fallout franchise until I heard about the existence of this show and managing to properly watch it was the best way to fortified my investment with the franchise and its story. I was pretty impressed, as an outsider from the games, how well established the world of Fallout is, from the atomic nukes, to the wacky aspects of this universe that I still hope to see more of, speaking about the episode itself, such a raw experience for just a first episode, it's edgy enough to not make me bored during its development, so many cool uses of practical effects, likeable characters, well directed set designs.