Review: Fallout Season 2 Falls Flat, But There's Promise in Its Continuity
February 17, 2026
Without a doubt, Fallout on Amazon Prime can be considered a resounding success for Bethesda. The show is truly something to be proud of. The maturity and brilliant writing of Fallout’s first season absolutely deserved the mainstream praise that it got. The massive audience that the show has amassed reflects the quality of the adaptation as a genuine work of art.
Going into the second season, Fallout really had nothing to prove. Season 1’s ending set things up pretty succinctly, leaving a clear way forward. How the story aimed to progress seemed pretty intriguing, and there wasn’t much of a doubt that the show would be able to stick the landing yet again. Unfortunately, Fallout Season 2 isn’t a perfect follow-up. It has some major flaws that are hard to overlook. While I still feel fairly optimistic going into Season 3, the series has some serious reflecting to do.
Characters: 12/15 — A New Norm-al
Fallout has a very strong cast of characters, but the second season doesn’t quite use them all as well as before. Norm MacLean and The Ghoul get some stellar development in Season 2, but other characters pay the price for that. Handling so many protagonists is understandably hard to do, but Fallout felt so much more cohesive before.
Whereas Season 1 had a clear idea of how to tie all the characters together, Season 2 of Fallout tries too hard to advance everyone’s story at the same time. Jumping between so many different storylines and points of view just makes things feel messy, and nobody really ends up better off for it by the end of the season other than Cooper Howard. The season’s New Vegas plotline doesn’t really add any depth to the other characters.
My personal gripe with Fallout Season 2 is that it totally wastes some fun character dynamics. Lucy’s time adventuring with The Ghoul should feel like a highlight of the season, but it isn’t. Eight episodes just wasn’t enough for the show to really get enough out of all the established relationships. So while there are really good individual moments, Fallout Season 2 disappoints in how it uses its ensemble cast.
Atmosphere: 14/15 — An Aesthetic Perfected
There’s something incredibly enchanting about Fallout’s aesthetic that stands out even more in live action. It’s a distinct look that was just made for TV. The show has done a tremendous job of honing in on that specific vibe, and I think that has done wonders in bringing in new fans. The Fallout show has more than carried its weight with its storytelling, but its unique aesthetic gives people something extra special to get attached to.
What Fallout does exceptionally well is worldbuilding. Heavy exposition is never necessary. The juxtaposition between the cheery hypercommercialism of the vaults and the depraved reality of the wastelands speaks for itself. Fallout is a master of showing and not telling. The result is an incredibly immersive world that is easy to buy into. Every new location interaction feels like a natural extension of what has been seen before.
Narrative: 8/15 — Charisma Check Failed
While the sum of Fallout’s parts still add up to a mostly positive experience, where the show falters is primarily in its writing. As mentioned before, Season 2 feels like it’s all over the place. The season spends a lot of time building up the stakes for every one of the important characters. Unfortunately, the payoff just isn’t worth it. Season 2’s adventure is incredibly underwhelming.
A lot of the mystique from the first season of Fallout is gone. The average episode carries far less emotion and tension. When Fallout does try to get serious in Season 2, it falls flat. Because there are so many moving parts, it’s just hard to appreciate what’s happening to every single person. When they are completely removed from each other, it really doesn’t make sense to be following all of them. The purpose of the season just gets completely lost.
With a good amount of time for reflection, I’m still not sure what the point of Fallout Season 2 was. The episodes don’t feel like filler, but Season 2 doesn’t have a particularly strong identity. I suppose the flashbacks are ever more important, but peering into the past does nothing for the present. All in all, it really feels like the writers hedged their bets on getting a third season. That’s great for the series, but it has left Season 2 with no legs.
Cinematography: 15/15 — Undeniable Beauty
Fallout’s atmosphere only feels as strong as it does thanks to the show’s impeccable cinematography. The desired dystopian retro-futuristic aesthetic is captured perfectly, and nothing has changed in that regard coming from the first season. Every single shot looks gorgeous. It’s surprising how beautiful a scorched earth can seem both afar and up-close. Feeling the same sense of awe and wonder as the emerging vault dwellers really helps the show resonate even more.
The characters of Fallout stand out in every scene, which is incredibly impressive. Even against drab backgrounds, there is still a certain pop to the actors. Visually, the show is incredibly enticing. Even the imperfections add value to shots, making it all seem more real. You really can’t ask for more when exploring such a deep world like Fallout’s.
