Fallout Season 2, Episode 2 Review

One of my favorite aspects of the Fallout franchise, or any RPG with a mortality system, is how you shape your character.

Are they Lucy, the always optimistic, albeit often unsure, beacon of all that is good and pure in this world? Perhaps they'll become The Ghoul, jaded, determined, and untrusting in a cold world?

Or they could be Maximus, forced to adapt as you learn the harsh realities of not just the post-apocalyptic Wasteland that exists in the Fallout universe, but the Brotherhood of Steel itself.

It's a dynamic that's important for the Fallout series to nail, since you can make the argument that three of these characters serve as stand-ins for your Fallout player character. Season One did a great job with Lucy and The Ghoul, particularly with the latter's pre-war backstory as Cooper Howard, but somewhat fell flat with Maximus and his character development. Season Two is already on the right track to remedy this despite Maximus' exclusion from last week's series premiere, and it has major ramifications for the future of Season Two.

I Can't Believe I'm Saying This: Welcome Back, Maximus

After an extremely powerful and emotional cold open, we finally pick up Maximus' and the Brotherhood of Steel's storyline.

Despite a strong first season for Fallout, this was one of its weaker points in my mind; Maximus' character was nowhere near as nuanced or complex as the others. As a result, it suffered. We've all seen this song and dance before: Maximus is your typical "fish out of water" trying to do good in an organization that, while well-intended, is the living embodiment of "the ends justify the means."

Maximus, however, talks about how he believes that his duty isn't just to "fix a fallen world," but to better himself, including self-discipline and valor. It's no secret that Maximus' motivation for joining the Brotherhood of Steel was looking up to them as a symbol of hope and power following the destruction of Shady Sands. It couldn't always carry his storyline in Season One, but in Season Two, we're diving deeper into the lore of the Brotherhood of Steel, with hints of Civil War brewing against the Commonwealth.

It's clear that Quintus, leader of the Knights of San Fernando, is making a play for power within the Brotherhood of Steel, something that was hinted at in the first season. Now it's time to enact this power play, and we have our first glimpse as to what that will look like: going against the Commonwealth. This subplot, juxtaposed against Maximus' growth and realizations, adds some much-needed layers to the storyline, and it's something that's already better than it was in Season One.

Fallout Has A Way Of Changing People, One Way Or Another

It's no surprise that, as Maximus experiences more of the Wasteland firsthand, there are hints of his moral compass changing. I'm not sure if he's fully on board with Quintus and his plans, but one thing is clear: he's going to do what's right for him and everyone else in the Wasteland, whatever the cost. The end will justify the means.

This is a theme that, you can argue, also exists between Lucy and The Ghoul. It's a theme that is also far more entertaining here, simply because Maximus' character in season one isn't exactly charismatic. To be fair, Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins have perfect chemistry together, and I could watch them read the entire Fallout game manual. In fact, it's something that's brought up in this episode.

"You want to know what I was like before the war?" The Ghoul says to Lucy. "I was just like you: stupid." It's a perfect example of the stark differences between the characters that doesn't come off as a piece of exposition. This is something 100% in character for The Ghoul to say. It's also an important lesson that Lucy needs to learn. Yes, she's driven and motivated, but also still incredibly naive, echoing the same feelings of a fresh player character venturing out of their Vault for the first time and being thrown to the wolves.

On the plus side, this means she'll get to save someone in danger, leading to the season's first action sequence and a chance for Fallout to show off its new budget. On the downside, she does run into a certain Legion, and I'm not sure she has enough Speech or Charisma to talk her way out of this one.

Checking In On The MacLeans

With so much happening with Maximus, the Brotherhood of Steel, and Lucy and the Ghoul, the MacLeans take a back seat this episode, but that's not necessarily a bad thing!

It's clear that the storylines for Hank and Norm are going to be this season's biggest mysteries, which honestly tracks for both characters. While this would make the second season in a row Norm is in that mystery storyline, he's now doing it with an "army" of Budd's Buds, perfectly interjecting the amount of intrigue and humor that makes Fallout so great.

As for Hank, well, this is a chance for Kyle MacLaughlin to shine, and boy, does he ever. If you've never had the opportunity to see him act before, first, do yourself a favor and watch Twin Peaks. Second, buckle up, because you're in for one heck of a ride. His screen time may be limited, but he honestly steals every second.

After a strong premiere, Fallout Season Two continues on the right path. Maximus and the Brotherhood of Steel's storylines are already far better than they were in the first season, and it's clear that with (at least) five storylines running in conjunction, the show is capable of juggling everything. Whether or not they stick the landing is an entirely separate question, of course, but for now, they're on the right path, and all roads lead to New Vegas.