By: Jennifer Ariesta.
Adapted from a popular video game of the same name, Fallout is a science fiction drama following various mercurial characters who must survive a nuclear-wrecked dystopian world. The series is executive produced by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, the creators of Westworld. It seems like Nolan isn’t done with the wild wild west in post-apocalyptic world concept after his Westworld got unceremoniously cut short – Fallout incorporates some elements that would be familiar to viewers of the HBO series, this time with more retro futurism and comedy.
After a nuclear war destroys Earth’s surface, humanity is split into two societies: Vault Dwellers who managed to escape underground and surface dwellers who must survive in the harsh wasteland above ground.
Hundreds of years later, people above ground have turned savage in order to survive. Meanwhile, the vault dwellers still retain the old way of life, existing on crops and a society that mimics the world before the nuclear blast. One of them is our protagonist, Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell).
One day, surface raiders break into Lucy’s vault and kidnap her father, the colony’s Overseer. In order to rescue him, Lucy defies the society’s convention and journeys to the wasteland above ground. There, she must navigate dangerous terrain full of mutated creatures and grifters. In her quest, she would soon be joined by a gunslinger ghoul and a squire in droid armor.
Right off the bat, the striking visuals pop off. The show often utilizes hyper stylistic editing choices: slow motions, sequences set to retro soundtrack of vintage 50’s tunes to reflect the last era before humankind changes for good, and fancy cameraworks. Gotta say, it’s nice to see something with this much dramatic flair instead of the usual gritty, hyper realistic aesthetic for a change. The peppy vibe is also reflected in the tone of the story. There is an offbeat comedic tone percolating through the series that sets it apart from other similar shows in the genre.
Like Westworld and Game of Thrones, Fallout is an ensemble show with multiple stories running parallel without clear connections with each other, at least for the first few episodes. At the heart of the story is Lucy. Played by Purnell (Yellowjackets) with her A.I.-like doe eyes, she perfectly fits the mold of a video game heroine. Pure and kind due to her gentle upbringing, Lucy stands out as the lone ray of sunshine in a bleak world. Later on, though, she would be forced to release her inner grit in the wasteland.
A host of eccentric characters lifted from the game populate the show. The ghoul cowboy, the Brotherhood of Steel knights, the secretive Vault Dwellers, and not to forget, fan-favorite German shepherd dog who accompanies players in all of the Fallout games. As someone completely unfamiliar with the game, their presence really gives the show a distinctive edge.
With its popping cinematography, distinctive worldbuilding, and potential storylines, season 1 of Fallout sets the stage for an expansive spectacle full of wonder and adventure.
