Fallout (2×08) The Strip Review

For our review of the last episode of Fallout, click here.

So it all comes down to this. In a season that has expanded on the world of Fallout, the once narrow perspective of an ordinary vault-dweller experiencing the world on the surface for the first time has evolved into something a lot more. The story of Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul/Cooper Howard grew by leaps and bounds as their arcs would unlock even more facets of the expansive franchise. That being said, this also means a lot more going on this time around and that could either be a positive or a negative if not handled correctly. Nevertheless, as this second season approaches its finish line, suffice it to say that it had more than enough on its plate.

Leaning heavily on the world of New Vegas to advance the story this season, it has had its ups and downs but, for the most part, this season two finale does a good job at addressing all these unresolved storylines, as it steers itself into an already confirmed Season 3. One big flaw, or perhaps just a personal gripe, is how disconnected it all is, rendering the season to merely a series of scenes, jumping from one set to the next without much in the way of connective tissue. Though maybe its surplus in storylines is driving the overall series further apart, however, the finale does deliver plenty of satisfying moments and reunions as it answers many questions, while posing others. Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, and Walton Goggins saved their best for last.

The finale, aptly-titled ‘The Strip,’ checks back in on some groups and how they may figure in to where the story goes from here. Caesar’s Legion, in particular, were still in the middle of their civil war as they lacked a leader they could all agree on to take them into the future. Finding a solution that was not without some bloodshed, they found a new leader with their sights on expansion.

Meanwhile, The Ghoul made sure that the recently-awoken Robert House would honor the deal they had made earlier. This season has not so subtly hinted at an entity operating above him, and everyone else for that matter, and this episode offered more clues of that. The ‘Enclave,’ a large entity that has played a large role in all the video games, has yet to make a real appearance in the series thus far, appear to be pulling all the strings and the one at the top may have been previously revealed.

Making a discovery of her own in Hank’s mainframe, as far as heads, he certainly made the right choice in Representative Diane Welch (Martha Kelly) as a principled model for his brainwashed minions could take after. However, reduced to a head in a jar now 200+ years later, she had a different plan and wanted to be taken out of her misery, for which Lucy obliged. Wanting to save the world in his own way, Hank just had a funny way of showing it. The good intentions were there but his plan was never going to work out, thanks to an assist by The Ghoul, and his knack for showing at the right place at the right time. In the end, getting some closure, it was all Lucy would ever get from her father (played beautifully by Kyle MacLachlan). A reunion with Maximus came just the right time for her, as he would survive what was a heated battle between he (and his power armor) and the deathclaws, before reinforcements delivered a much needed assist.

The Ghoul, whose sole driving force was to find his family, would have to wait a little longer. Finding a clue to their whereabouts, his path for next season is set. As his business with Robert House came to an end, his presence lingered. In other news, those waiting for the Vault 31 Vault-Tec employees Norm awoke to get their comeuppance will not be disappointed but in spite of it all, his heart remained.

Just like where most viewers will find themselves as the credits roll, the season ends with our three staring into the distance, reflecting on what has happened and what is to come. Either way the Wasteland is going to be the Wasteland, so winning is a relative term. At least now, Lucy and Maximus are together for it.

Those who stick through the credits will be rewarded with one more post-credit scene that checks in on one more group that was left in a precarious position earlier in the season and hints at what devious thing they may do about it. Stay tuned.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.