We’re rapidly closing in on the end of 2024. It was a year full of big swings on the big and small screen. As the year comes to a close, I’m looking back on all the series that worked for me, that you can now check out. Today, it’s a series based on a video game.
Series: Fallout
Where to Find It: All eight episodes are now streaming on Prime Video
What’s It About: Fallout is a series adaptation of the popular video game series. The game follows life on Earth after a wave of nuclear attacks decimate the planet. This series chooses to focus on three survivors and their actions.
The first is Lucy (Ella Purnell), who lives in a fallout shelter. That makes her somewhat naïve about the world outside her confines. But, when her home is attacked, she has to venture out and go on a journey. There, she meets Maximus (Aaron Molten). He’s been on the surface and see what people had to endure, and it’s shaped him. Now, he’s part of a mechanized group and hopes to become a pilot and soldier for them. But he’s taken with Lucy.
Finally, we follow Cooper Howard (Walton Goggins). Prior to the first attack, he’s a famous actor whose family is involved in the technology of building the shelters. Now, decades later, he’s somehow survived. But his method of survival has left its scars—mentally and physically. Now, he exists as a warrior assassin.
Why It Makes the List
This series is produced by Jonathan Nolan and his wife, Lisa Joy. Nolan directs the first few episodes here, setting a stylistic tone for the series to follow. That’s important. This series has an incredibly memorable pilot in large part because of the visual language of the series. That includes the first nuclear blast. The way that’s shot in the pilot was gripping and striking and remains one of my favorite shots on the small screen this year.
I came into the show not versed in the game. Turns out, that wasn’t an impediment. A great series can draw you into its world and narrative whether or not you know about the source material, and this series does that. The world-building here worked and made me interested in the story and where it’s all going.
I liked the writing style from Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner. I enjoyed the style here with a blend of some humor to keep things lighter at times. I also enjoyed the performances. Purnell is a great lead here and captivating in the role. I also love Goggins, who’s been a great performer in a number of small-screen roles. He’s great here, too. This series is bookended by a memorable pilot and a great finale that sets the stage for Season Two.