MIDNIGHT REVIEWS Fallout S1 E4 Review
Midnight Reviews features reviews and thought pieces written and edited by a parent, at night, after bedtime.
Fallout Season 1 Episode 4: ‘The Ghouls’
Series created by: Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner
Featuring: Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins
Synopsis: Lucy (Purnell) and The Ghoul (Goggins) travel the wasteland together, catching the sights and drinking in the (irradiated) atmosphere. Meanwhile, Norm (Moises Arias) investigates Vault 32.
Review: Episode four, like the creatures it’s named after, is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one side, there are some excellent things to be said, some humorous, some to do with the presentation of the show itself. On the other, there are times where The Ghouls simply doesn’t make sense.
Before the episode even started, it had to be noted that the episode descriptions are a breath of fresh, non-irradiated air. So often, a plot twist is revealed from either the episode description or the image used and streaming services don’t seem to understand that the hard work a show puts in can be ruined by a simply reveal. Such a small, easy fix and yet Fallout is one of the few that does it right. They even manage to retroactively ensure the description fits perfectly with what happens, this interesting side note revealed after the fact.
[Some things happen] because the plot needed to move in a particular direction.
Speaking of mixed output though, there are the ghouls themselves, featuring heavily in this episode beyond the one we know and love. It’s revealed early on in the series that he needs some sort of medication. Why? What illness does he have? How much medication does he need? What happens if he doesn’t take it? It’s here where we explore and get answers from several other ghouls, some rabid, some cognisant, without being too on the nose about it. After all, ghouls have no noses.
However, there is a scene of mixed metaphors as the condition the ghouls suffer from is presented as akin to a drug addiction, before the show settles on presenting it as an illness again. A small quibble, but nonetheless another easy fix.
A much more concerning problem, something that unfortunately seems to be found in the roots of Fallout, is plot contrivance being chosen over character. As we watch a conversation between Norm and a prisoner, this could be a chance to see him either reflect on his own hatred towards the raiders, further his own plans for them, or even introduce another interesting person to engage with.
Instead we have a short discussion where the raider gives Norm a sneaky clue about what the people of Vault 32 were up to. But why would he do this? Why would he care? The interaction is completely out of character for any of these raiders, and unless a future episode explores why this one particular prisoner decided to share, it seems to simply happen because the plot needed to move in a particular direction.
[Moments show] why Fallout as a series does work.
As said though, there are certainly engaging, interesting positives to the episode. The Ghouls, despite the scary-sounding title, is never really terrifying. Similar with the gulper showing up previously, the tension in the fight/chase sequences isn’t really present. This episode’s strength is in its humour.
We are witness to a hilarious love making scene featuring dress-up and bad timing. Matt Berry is a welcome addition as Snip Snip the helpful robot. He’ll show you in, make you a cup of tea, then chop your head off. We are also briefly introduced to two characters I never thought would make it in the post-apocalypse: slackers.
The finale features Goggins’ ghastly gruesome ghoul engaging in some literal self-reflection, watching an old movie and perhaps remembering older times without judging himself. It leads neatly into why Fallout as a series does work, overall. It isn’t the power armour or the beasties or even the mystery of Vault 32. It’s the organic moments, the times we sit and cogitate and wonder what decisions these characters are going to make next. Roll on episode five.
Matthew D. Smith likes to overshare his views on movies whenever and wherever he can. Indulge him, and follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Smith_M_D
