The Beginning

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.

Episode 8 of Fallout, titled "The Beginning," serves as a pivotal moment in the series, offering both closure and new beginnings for the characters. The episode starts with the survivors grappling with the aftermath of the previous events, their trust fractured, and their sense of hope hanging by a thread. A key plot point revolves around a mysterious broadcast that hints at a possible safe zone, sending the group into a tense debate about whether they should stay put or venture into the unknown. This decision weighs heavily on the characters, as they must balance the potential for survival with the ever-present danger of the world outside.

The direction in this episode shines through in its ability to create tension not only between the characters but also with the environment. The vast, decayed world outside contrasts sharply with the confined, deteriorating spaces the survivors inhabit. The use of wide shots to show the desolation amplifies the sense of isolation, while close-up shots during key character moments effectively capture the internal conflicts brewing within the group. The director manages to maintain a steady rhythm throughout the episode, allowing the tension to simmer and then erupt during crucial moments without feeling forced. This approach adds a natural progression to the unfolding drama, making the episode's conflicts feel more organic.

In terms of the script, "The Beginning" delivers some of the series' most emotionally charged dialogue. The survivors' desperation is palpable, and the writing effectively conveys their inner turmoil as they wrestle with their choices. There are moments of raw vulnerability that humanize the characters, particularly during scenes where they reflect on the lives they had before the fallout. These introspective moments lend depth to the episode and offer a brief respite from the external chaos. However, some of the exposition feels a bit heavy-handed, as certain characters articulate their motivations in ways that could have been left more ambiguous or implied. This is a minor flaw in an otherwise strong script, which succeeds in driving the emotional and narrative stakes forward.

The acting in this episode is particularly noteworthy, with standout performances that elevate the material. The ensemble cast does an exceptional job of conveying the weight of their situation, especially in scenes where they debate their next move. One of the episode's strongest moments occurs when a character delivers a monologue about the cost of survival, reflecting on the loss of humanity in the face of such overwhelming adversity. The actor's portrayal is nuanced and layered, capturing both the sorrow and resolve of someone who has been pushed to their limits. The rest of the cast complements this with strong, understated performances that keep the focus on the gravity of the group's situation without veering into melodrama.

Visually, "The Beginning" is striking, with the cinematography enhancing the narrative's themes of decay and rebirth. The muted color palette used to depict the barren, post-apocalyptic landscape contrasts beautifully with the more vibrant flashes of memory or hope, creating a visual metaphor for the characters' internal states. The camera work during the more intimate moments-whether between characters or in moments of solitary reflection-is handled with care, drawing the viewer into the emotional heart of the episode. The editing also plays a crucial role here, ensuring that the pacing never drags while still allowing for quieter, reflective moments to land with the intended emotional impact.

The episode's pacing is well-executed, building steadily toward a climactic moment that leaves the audience both satisfied and eager for more. The decision to focus on character development alongside the broader narrative arc pays off, as the tension within the group mirrors the external threat they face. However, the final act of the episode, while intense, leans on a somewhat predictable twist. Though this does not detract significantly from the overall quality of the episode, it does feel like a missed opportunity to take the narrative in a more unexpected direction.

In conclusion, "The Beginning" successfully brings together the thematic threads of Fallout while setting the stage for what comes next. The episode balances introspection with action, offering a poignant exploration of what it means to survive in a world that has lost its humanity. Despite minor script flaws and a slightly predictable ending, the strong direction, compelling performances, and striking visual style make this a standout entry in the series. By focusing on the personal stakes alongside the broader survival narrative, "The Beginning" offers a thoughtful, emotionally resonant chapter that will leave viewers reflecting on the nature of survival and the cost of hope in such a broken world.

If you come to "Fallout," as I did, not knowing the games, you might want to Google the backstory. Otherwise you're sure to be puzzled.

The first scene of the show occurs in the year 2077, however, the furniture, clothing, hair styles and electronics are totally1950s era. The only thing out of place is a fleeting glance at a robot. It says to the lady of the house: "Ready to be of service, madam."

The explanation? We are viewing an American /Earth alternate universe. Apparently the fear of nuclear war, which gripped our America after WW2, was so extreme that it's stunted this America's social & technological growth. In many ways, leaving America style-stuck in the fifties.

The stunted technological growth has prevented the invention of the transistor and circuit boards. That's why radios, TVs and such are all still dependent on Tube Technology.

And so it seems, from the building fear of Nuclear war in the 1950's, up to the first scene of this show, in 2077, America's industry have focused their efforts on building elaborate life-sustaining vaults. These are designed to house Americans underground. Thus keeping an elite segment of the population safe from nuclear war FALLOUT.

That is a clever premise indeed. Making this dystopian universe unlike most others. Frankly I had grown a bit tired of shows exploring apocalyptic and dystopian worlds. Especially the ones which are midnight-dark and depressing. Happily, that's not the case with Fallout. While some scenes are genuinely terrifying, there are more than enough scenes which treat us to intelligent and logically placed comedy.

Another factor which lightens the brooding atmosphere is the (song) music which is appropriate to the action and interspersed throughout each episode. Mostly vocal selections from the 40s and 50s.

The incidental music is composed by Game of Thrones genius Ramin Djawadi. It's excellent. And if you normally skip the end titles, don't. The graphics are different for each ending and they are accompanied by beautuful Djawadi compositions.

While Fallout may not be the greatest science fiction episodic series, it's among the best. It's original enough not to be hackneyed. The acting is solid, the CGI is excellent, the scripts are good and this all provides for some terrific sci-fi entertainment.

Characters' behavior, as well as interactions between characters, things characters do and say, in most cases, are not exposition for audience, and instead are what they would do or say, fitting their place in the world, scale of knowledge, skill, situational awareness, as well as ideologies, agendas, goals, motivations, ideals, and plans..

With characters written genuine such as this, it is naive to believe everything they say, let alone accept the same as certain confirmations for past events, or clear signs of events to come, or yet to be revealed, for which cases clues, hints, and pieces of plot were provided, revealing things not what things may seem to be..

Overall continuation of exceptional visual storytelling, and a great finale for the season.