There are times when all you can do is watch things play out to their logical conclusion. You know, a decision that characters were resolute in making would inevitably lead to a cascade of consequences. That sums up the events in this episode of Amazon’s Fallout, titled “The Demon in the Snow.” It’s a romp of mystery, dark humor, and explosive endings. Just another day in the Wasteland — and it still hasn’t worn out its welcome for me.
The episode opens with a flashback of Cooper and his friend in power armor on a rescue and retrieval mission on the Alaskan front, where Chinese Communists have invaded — a major conflict in Fallout lore. Here, for the first time in the show, we see Fallout’s famous mutated reptilian horror: the Deathclaw. The aftermath is vicious. Was the setup a bit heavy-handed? Yes, but I loved it. Deathclaws aren’t subtle.
Meanwhile, the remnants of Vaults 33 and 32 are living through their own Fallout 1 scenario as water grows scarce. It’s only a matter of time before sanity frays and tensions hit their limit. Who will be the pariah forced to fix it? Time will tell — the show’s already dropping hints.
Norm and his dwellers, on the other hand, are steadily moving toward completing the next phase of their orders. Unbeknownst to Norm, Vault-Tec’s mandate seems inevitable — above and below ground. For longtime fans, the implications spell only one thing: more disaster on the horizon.
The main highlight of the episode was the bloody mess that was the Brotherhood. Tensions were already at their breaking point — and then they finally snapped. If ever the word profligate was apt to describe anything, these West Coast Brotherhood chapters fit the bill perfectly. Maximus is facing the consequences of his actions, intended or otherwise.
The heat has finally brought Lucy to a breaking point. That paragon façade is cracking, slowly revealing that beneath the sweetness, she’s not that different from her ghoulish companion. Is it madness or joyous liberation? Yes — embrace the Wasteland, Lucy. My heart goes out to The Kings. Oh, mama.
And as many suspected, New Vegas isn’t what it once was. Perhaps the House doesn’t always win. With the Mojave in its current state, it’s been fun to flex the fan-theory muscle. Unlike Disney Star Wars, though, I doubt this show will leave the mysteries unanswered. Within reason, of course. Fallout has been deliberate in leading us toward the likely reality and aftermath of the Mexican standoff between the Wasteland’s factions. No one really wins. You just try to survive.
As I’ve previously stated in my oher reviews, until I see otherwise, my standing theory is that, like other players — myself included — they finished New Vegas, no matter which side they chose, and then launched a bunch of Fat Boys into the air around the Mojave. I kid, obviously. Or do I?
Oh, and that Deathclaw? Absolute chef’s kiss on top of this cake of radioactive madness.
Onward to Episode 5!
******
English (US) · 