FALLOUT SEASON 1 REVIEW, AN ALMOST PERFECT BLAST FROM THE FUTURE

Prime Video's new "Fallout" TV show is an absolute blast from the past—or should I say more accurately, a blast from the future—standing shoulder to shoulder with the other top-tier gaming adaptation in the past year, "The Last of Us."

Based on the popular role-playing game series, the show has garnered an impressive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many critics are actually gushing over its strong writing and stellar production design.

Since its debut earlier this week, fans of the gaming franchise have echoed these sentiments, praising the show's fidelity to the source material. As a longtime Fallout enthusiast, I appreciate the meticulous attention to detail and reverence for the game's world. However, after watching the first four episodes, I can't help but feel that one crucial element is missing.

The trailer has over 25 Million Views just on YouTube:

Executive produced by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy of Westworld fame, Fallout is a series firmly rooted in the game universe's lore and history. However, its inaugural eight-episode season presents a standalone narrative, distinct from any gaming experience. This approach allows newcomers to seamlessly immerse themselves in the world, led by a fresh ensemble cast, with Ella Purnell as the focal point playing Lucy. Born and raised in Vault 33, a fallout shelter from the Vault-Tec era, Lucy embodies the optimistic spirit of pre-apocalypse America, sheltered from the harsh realities outside.

When Lucy's father (played by Kyle MacLachlan) disappears, she is thrust into an unfamiliar world, stepping onto the desolate California landscape for the first time. Purnell skillfully portrays Lucy's innocence and enthusiasm, contrasting sharply with the grim, post-apocalyptic setting. This stark contrast sets the stage for Lucy's evolution as she navigates a world filled with deception and peril, forcing her to confront harsh truths and adapt to survive. While Fallout introduces compelling antagonists, the true adversary is the unforgiving wasteland itself, compelling even the noblest characters to adopt ruthless survival tactics.

Now, some dedicated fans of the Fallout franchise have expressed concerns that the new Fallout TV series on Amazon may have inadvertently altered the canon established by the game Fallout: New Vegas. However, these concerns seem to stem from a brief and potentially misunderstood detail in the show. In reality, this detail is either easily explainable or inconsequential and does not necessarily invalidate the events of New Vegas. In fact, as the series unfolds, it becomes clear that the events of New Vegas continue to hold significance within the TV series.

THE UNDERRATED LINE:
Fallout delivers a witty and vibrant post-apocalyptic world, blending dark humor with intense action sequences, much like The Last of Us. The series shines with its intricate plotlines, following three compelling leads whose stories cleverly intertwine, leading to a thrilling conclusion. Longtime fans will find plenty of nods to the original game, thanks to meticulous production design and a keen eye for detail, all without alienating newcomers. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy have once again delivered a standout adaptation, earning Fallout a resounding endorsement.