Amazon decided to launch their Fallout television early, the series debut on April 10 at 6pm (the show was originally scheduled to launch on April 12). I didn’t mind, the earlier, the better, in my opinion. So I spent Wednesday night watching the pilot on Amazon’s Live Service, along with thousands (if not more) viewers at the same time. I’ve never done this sort of live watching before, but I wanted to be one of the first to see this.

I’m happy to say that the show did not disappoint me, this is great news as if the show sucked, I would’ve been embarrassed to be a Fallout fan. Everything is resolved by the end of the first season, but does set up Season 2: Deathclaws, New Vegas, and so much more.

Some people thought Fallout took too long to get going, but I thought it was fine as it sets up all the characters and their motivation. Lucy is looking for her father, Maximus is looking for a scientist, and the Ghoul is like a wild card. I didn’t particularly like Maximus, as I thought he’s not a very likeable character, especially when he was willing to kill everyone to keep his secret.

Although the main story is between Lucy, Maximus and the Ghoul… I was also heavily invested in the “3 Vaults” mystery. I thought that whole vault thing was interesting and gripping, and I didn’t know where it was going to go… until it was revealed near the end. This is the first time that we’re introduced to the three vaults: 31, 32, and 33… all three are connected (but apart). None of the vaults in the video games are connected this way, so it’s interesting to see new lore introduced into the franchise.

My favorite is the naïve Lucy, who was born and raised in a vault, so she has no idea what the real world is really like. I love how she’s bringing back, “Okay dokey” and “What the fudge?”

While overall, I love Fallout and am very eager to see Season 2, I did have some complaints. First of all, they really overuse the 1940s/1950s music. It started to look like a Zach Snyder joint with all the slow-mo music video. Don’t get me wrong, I love the soundtrack, it’s just overused (in scenes that doesn’t need music). I swear I heard Dinah Washington’s “What a Difference a Day Make” three times too much.

Some stories, I could use less of – like Maximus… his whole story is a lie, and that’ll carry over to Season 2, as the entire brotherhood is treating him as some sort of hero. Maybe less of the Cooper Howard’s cowboy backstory. I’m not sure if I needed to see all his movies… but I felt like maybe they could have shown Cooper as a young soldier in a T-45 Power Armor (as it’s important 214 years later when he has to fight against the Knights).

Otherwise, the story, especially the ending, was fulfilling, and, as a big Fallout game fan, I was satisfied. The show got things right: everything from all the Fallout lore, the Fallout weaponry, the Fallout creatures and mutants… I love it. I love all the Easter eggs, it really shows that everyone working on the show are fans and their attention to details are much appreciated.

What I would like to see in the upcoming season: the Institute, more Dogmeat, maybe a character from the games (like I would love to laugh at Butch from the Tunnel Snakes).

If you want to listen to the Fallout TV show soundtrack, Amazon has put together a playlist on their website:

Shall We Dance? – Deborah Kerr, Marni Nixon & Yul Brynner

Hey Little Lucy (Don’t Cha Put No Lipstick On) – Conway Twitty

There’s No Tomorrow – Tony Martin

All Over Again – Johnny Cash

Easy Living – Billie Holiday feat. Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra

Don’t Take Your Guns to Town – Johnny Cash

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall – The Ink Spots

feat. Ella Fitzgerald

Deguello – Max Steiner

Maybe – The Ink Spots

We’ll Meet Again – The Ink Spots

Tweedle Dee – LaVerne Baker

Midnight, The Stars And You – Ray Noble & His Orchestra

Finger of Suspicion – Dickie Valentine & The Stargazers

Act Naturally – Buck Owens & The Buckaroos

Frenesi – Artie Shaw and His Orchestra & Artie Shaw

Bedroom Blues – Sippie Wallace

It Ain’t the Meat – The Swallows

Bummin’ Around – Jimmy Dean

In the Mood – Glenn Miller Orchestra feat. Glenn Miller

Right Behind You Baby – Ray Smith

I Can Dream, Can’t I? – The Andrews Sisters feat. Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra

Henry – The Jet Tones

Anything Goes – Cole Porter

Battle Hymn of the Republic – William Steffe

National Pride – VARIOUS ARTISTS

Blue Skies – Maxine Sullivan & Her Orchestra

Ladyfingers – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

Kelley: Home On The Range – Bryn Terfel, The Tabernacle Choir

P.S. Comedian, actor, and musician Fred Armisen made a surprise appearance in the television, as a radio DJ for Minutemen Radio in the Wasteland. I am assuming he is a fan of the video game and took the opportunity to make a cameo. I laughed at his bit, and based the community on Reddit, they loved his appearance. The good news is that Armisen is on tour right now and will be in Minneapolis at the Fillmore on April 28, 2024.

Yours,

Weekend Gamer