The Beginning

I started watching "Fallout" with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. I usually avoid series because I tend to get tired of them quickly, so I went into "Fallout" with low expectations. However, I quickly became fascinated in a way I hadn't experienced with a series in a long time. This production not only respects the key elements of the video games it adapts but also integrates them into the narrative in a genuinely engaging and respectful manner. As a fan of the games, it was a relief and a joy to see the universe I admire so much being adapted so competently.

One of "Fallout's" greatest achievements is its narrative. Full of intense plots and captivating characters, the series grips us from the first episode. The three protagonists, each with their own story and personal motivations, intertwine organically, creating a web of intrigue that keeps us eager to uncover their outcomes. The solid and striking performances by the actors significantly contribute to this immersion, bringing the characters to life in such a natural way.

Visually, "Fallout" is a masterpiece. Although it has a more colorful tone than the games, the settings and characterizations remain faithful to the identity established by the saga. Every detail, from the post-apocalyptic wreckage to the retro-futuristic attire, the dystopian and perilous world, but also the music, presents everything that fans of the games love so much.

In the end, "Fallout" is more than just a video game adaptation; it's a lesson in how to honor and expand an intellectual property. With an engaging narrative, high-level performances, and stunning visual aesthetics, the series proves to be a magnificent experience that satisfies both longtime fans and a new audience. It's the purest example of how videogame adaptations should be.

The amount of hype and expectations I had for this show was close to zero. Then, when I learned Johnathan Nolan was attached, I grew some faith. But almost nothing could have convinced me this was not going to be another Rings of Power debacle... or Paramount Halo debacle.

I have never been happier to be wrong in my life!

Fallout in a word is phenomenal! It is without a doubt an all-around amazing TV show. As a huge fan of the games and having fond memories of coming home from school every day to boot up my Xbox to play Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas, I am extremely satisfied.

This show is just d*mn near perfection, and I do not use that word lightly. Everything in this show is Fallout! The tone, the atmosphere, the story, and its characters. It is all faithful to the source material.

The whole show just made me feel like I was playing Fallout. How everything progressed, how reveals came to light, how Lucy played fantastically by Ella Purnell reminded me of the first time I played Fallout. As a gamer, there is just so much to love here!

The story is great, the writing is great, the performances are great, the music is great. Everything is fantastically well made!

From the sights and sounds to the radroaches, 10 mm pistol, stimpacks, radaway, and its quirky charm, this is without a doubt the best video game adaptation I have seen in my life!

Words alone can not describe the sheer happiness and joy this show has brought me. Then that ending teasing the great possibilities to come... well, let's just say I screamed! There were absolutely no shortage of fan boy moments.

If there was ever a reason to subscribe to Prime, well look no further because Fallout is that reason! If this quality maintains, then I am extremely excited for the future of this show.

Now, if you'll execuse me, it's time to boot up the ol 360 the Mojave wasteland awaits... and well war... war never changes!

IMDb: 10/10 Letterboxd: 5/5

Watched on Prime Video in 4k Dolby Vision.

After finishing this first season of Fallout, I was struck by how many parallels one could draw to Jonathan Nolan's similar hot TV property Westworld. Western-esque setting, gunslinger-like compelling character, themes of corporate greed/malfeasance, etc. The biggest difference between Fallout and Westworld? Whereas the latter was always dark and super-serious, the former is (for better or worse depending on personal taste) much more fun and accessible to a wider audience.

For a very basic overview, S1 of Fallout introduces us to the Vaults--where survivors of a future nuclear holocaust bide their time until the Earth's surface is livable. Lucy MacLean (Ella Parnell) and brother Norm (Moises Arias) are the primary focus--stirred to action when father Hank (Kyle MacLachlan) is kidnapped right out from under them. When Lucy resolves to journey to the surface on a rescue mission, she is introduced to all manner of oddities--largely through interactions with The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a creature somehow alive through the nuclear fallout about whom we get flashbacks to help explain what caused the bomb to be dropped in the first place. Meanwhile, Maximus (Aaron Moten) is a member of the Brotherhood of Steel--a military-like organization that gives surface-dwellers purpose and goals--but also mistreatment and cruelty. When his path also intersects with Lucy's, he must make a choice of which direction to follow.

Though based on a popular series of video games, I had no previous experience playing those--so I cannot comment on anything in that realm but to say that the series can still be enjoyed with zero knowledge of the games.

What is likely to hit viewers right away when beginning Fallout is the tone of the endeavor. It is filled with black humor, sight gags, and snappy dialogue. Such an approach may or may not be for you. The good news? Either way, the content moves fast enough that I don't think anyone will be too turned off by the lighter, more comedic stylings. Generally-speaking, if you don't like something here it isn't a problem because the characters are onto a new scenario pretty quickly.

Thematically, Fallout has a lot of interesting things to say about corporate culture and its intrusion upon society (to say more would venture into major spoiler territory). Again, akin to Westworld--just in different ways. In typical fashion, it takes until the end of the season's final episodes to truly contextualize what is going on, but overall it not only ties the mysteries up nicely but also dangles some very intriguing morsels for a confirmed second season.

Not to be lost in the discussion is the visual/auditory spectacle of the series--a Nolan linchpin. From the camera shots to the tech to the absorbing musical montages, there's never a lack of sensory stimulation here!

Overall, I settled on a solid 8/10 ranking for Fallout's inaugural slate. Were it not for a couple of late-season episodes I felt to be more at 7/10 caliber, it could have fairly easily garnered a 9/10. This season is highly dependent upon The Ghoul's (and thus Goggins') charisma and backstory, so when that takes a back seat things can wane just a bit. But I enjoyed watching the concepts and characters play out and will definitely be returning to see what season two has in store.

Greetings from Lithuania.

As a one who played and really liked every Fallout game (i only haven't played first two), heck even 76 is good now - I wasn't expecting anything from this show. Yet what i saw is arguably not just adaptation of video game series that is out there with the best but as for now - it is the best one yet.

Everything you would hope from final episodes of the season was delivered on highest note. Many things and overall story was revealed here, and it was done excellently. Its the kind of final episode of the season that gives you just enough, but leaves a plenty of opportunities for continuation of the series.

Overall, "Fallout's" first season is my favorite VG adaptation - period. And even as i liked The Last of Us very much, and i'm a bigger fan of TLOU game series then Fallout games, its the adaptation of Fallout that stands head above anything else right now. Its that good.

This was the best episode of the series so far! The buildup of the first seven episodes led to an absolutely incredible payoff and a perfect cliffhanger for the next season. It felt like the series did a great job of explaining necessary scenes in earlier episodes yet kept multiple scenes as mysteries. This episode closed nearly all unexplained scenarios and had a perfect blend of past to present action and explanation. I have to give a shoutout to the actor playing Maximus because I wasn't a fan of how reserved his character is, but the actor showed a ton of range in this episode with emotion, and I hope to see that more often in season two. 5/5 stars.