Fallout’s goofy apocalypse gets serious in season 2

Amazon’s Fallout TV Series Takes a Darker Turn in Season 2

The first season of Amazon’s Fallout TV series was a masterclass in tone, balancing the grim and goofy aspects of the post-apocalyptic world. However, the second season takes a darker turn, expanding the world and tackling headier subjects, but losing some of the playfulness that made the series distinct.

More Characters, More Storylines, More Complexity

The second season introduces new factions, including the Legion, which mimics ancient Roman traditions despite not understanding them. Meanwhile, Lucy (Ella Purnell) is traveling alongside the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) toward the relative glitz and glamour of New Vegas, while Maximus (Aaron Moten) has returned to the Brotherhood of Steel as a hero. However, this is only a fraction of what season 2 covers, as the Brotherhood is close to instigating a civil war, and Lucy’s old home, Vault 33, is in dire straits due to a water crisis and a rogue faction.

Subtle Social Satire and Cultural Commentary

Fallout is never subtle with its social satire, and the second season is no exception. The end of the world is brought about by a group of tech oligarchs who wield too much power, and as one character muses early on, “every dollar spent is a vote cast.” Board meetings show billionaires salivating at the business opportunities that come with the apocalypse. However, this commentary is not without its caveats, as the show is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, a platform owned by the exact kind of oligarch the show is criticizing.

A Less Fun, but Still Unmistakably Fallout Experience

While the second season of Fallout is still unmistakably Fallout, it’s a little less fun. The show is constantly jumping around between storylines, characters, and time periods, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for much else. And what gets left out is a lot of the levity. We’re not talking about a Last of Us level of grimness here — there are some good gags, particularly when it comes to the juxtaposition of Lucy’s continued obliviousness with the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world — but these jokes stand out because they’re so much rarer now.

Conclusion

Season 2 of Fallout starts streaming on Amazon Prime Video on December 16th at 9PM ET, with new episodes weekly. While it may not be as fun as the first season, it’s still unmistakably Fallout, and fans of the series will likely find something to enjoy.
 

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