The Target

I thought the pilot was excellent, but this one was fantastic. It did a near perfect job of bringing all the main characters together and pushing the story forward. The standoff at Filly was very intense and made for a great climax to this episode. The whole setting with all the props did a really great job of paying tribute to the 3D video games. I'm also opening up to Maximus's character. He seemed pretty bland and one-dimensional during the pilot but my concerns are starting to ease as he develops courage in the Brotherhood of Steel. Again, Lucy and The Ghoul shined through this one and continue to impress me. 4.5/5 stars.

Episode 2 of "Fallout," titled "The Target," builds on the foundation set by the premiere, further immersing the audience in the harsh realities of this post-nuclear world while expanding on the characters and the dangers they face. The episode follows the survivors as they attempt to secure much-needed resources, a task that quickly turns deadly when they are targeted by a mysterious group. This plot development introduces a more action-driven narrative, emphasizing the brutal reality of survival and the lengths people will go to protect their territory and supplies.

The direction in "The Target" shifts from the slow, world-building pace of the first episode to a more tense, suspenseful tone. The director employs tight, claustrophobic shots during the confrontations between the survivors and their new adversaries, enhancing the sense of danger. These choices create a palpable atmosphere of paranoia, especially during the scenes set in abandoned urban environments. The action sequences are well-executed, with clean, coherent choreography that keeps viewers engaged. However, while the action is visually impressive, some moments feel formulaic, particularly in terms of character decision-making during high-stress situations.

The performances continue to impress, with the main cast showing more depth as their characters are tested by the challenges of this hostile world. The lead actor, whose quiet strength was highlighted in the first episode, now showcases a growing desperation as their leadership is called into question. Tensions rise within the group, allowing for more emotionally charged performances. A particularly standout scene involves a heated argument between two characters about the ethics of leaving behind one of their own to ensure the group's survival. This moment offers a glimpse into the larger moral dilemmas that will likely be a running theme throughout the series.

From a script standpoint, "The Target" is tighter and more focused than the previous episode, with dialogue that feels sharper and more purposeful. The writers succeed in balancing action with character development, though there are still a few moments where exposition feels a bit forced. The introduction of a new antagonist group adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, hinting at the factionalism that emerges in the aftermath of societal collapse. This episode also begins to delve into the backstories of some supporting characters, adding emotional weight to their current predicaments and enhancing viewer investment in their fates.

The cinematography and editing play a crucial role in maintaining the episode's tension. The use of shadow and dim lighting in several scenes underscores the constant threat of danger, whether from other survivors or the environment itself. The pacing is significantly improved from the premiere, with a more balanced distribution of action, character moments, and world-building. However, some transitions between scenes feel abrupt, and there are a few instances where the momentum slows too much, briefly disrupting the otherwise gripping pace.

In conclusion, "The Target" is a stronger, more action-oriented episode that successfully expands the world of "Fallout" while deepening the characters' struggles. While not without its minor flaws in pacing and originality, it delivers a solid mix of suspense, ethical conflict, and explosive action. The performances remain a high point, particularly as the characters face increasingly difficult choices. With its heightened stakes and introduction of new antagonists, the episode sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and morally complex narrative moving forward.

Episode 1 of Fallout was very interesting and a good setup for the rest of the series. However, after a very exciting first half where we are introduced to Lucy and her backstory, the Maximus segment was a bit more sedate and made me think the pace would be a bit slower now after the fast start.

I also figured that our main protagonists - Lucy, Maximus and The Ghoul - would probably tread parallel paths for a while before meeting in some climactic scene a few episodes into the future. I haven't played the video game so I have no idea how the plot is supposed to go.

So much for the slow convergence of the separate paths! Episode 2 propels the story forward in a massive way, jolting the series into top gear. No slow convergence, our characters' lives are now well intertwined.

It's not just the plot that's motored ahead, the action has ramped up too. Some great action scenes in this episode.

Fantastic episode and am looking forward to what the remainder of the series brings us.

I thought I'd check out this series because of the great reviews even though I never played the game but after two episodes I'm done and I am a big fan of post apocalyptic shows but this was so ridiculous it couldn't keep my attention. The characters and premise are so un-serious I had no desire to invest my time with something as absurd as this idiotic show. Maybe this implausible world works as a game environment but it just didn't work for me. For me, for a show to work I have to believe that the characters act in a somewhat reasonable way even if they are in an absurd world but I don't get that sense in this series. The emotions of the characters don't match with what is going on. Ever. It's as if everyone is playing their parts with their tongues firmly planted in their cheek. Well, that was a waste of a couple hours.

Solid second episode, from someone who didn't play the games. I remember when the first one came out (friends played) and it reminded me of the underrated cult-classic 'Six-String Samurai'. Episode 1 was more like a less creepy version of 'A Boy and His Dog', but Episode 2 explores the post-apocalypse world more, and I like that it's building out on an already familiar idea. It's like seeing a planet in Star Wars that isn't Tatooine. The two episodes are pretty comparable, but I think I liked Ep 2 slightly more because of the jokes, character building, and fight scenes.

Not quite as many explosions as episode 1, but a fair amount of shooting, punching and violence to be entertaining. The actors had a bit more room to work and the protagonist evolved after experiencing challenges stemming from her sheltered existence, and as a result she has the beginning of a character arc. The squire appears to also have an arc, but the writers haven't done as well at explaining his motivations so far; but can't rule out that it wasn't intentional.

'The Target' gives me a lot of hope for the rest of the series. They could still screw it up, but there haven't been any major red-flags and so far it's just been kind of fun wacky entertainment.