Just say 'okey dokey!' to 'Fallout' Season 2 – Review
- - Just say 'okey dokey!' to 'Fallout' Season 2 – Review
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAYDecember 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
0
Ella Purnell as Lucy in "Fallout" Season 2.
The apocalypse has never felt so good. At least, not since Season 1.
Prime Video's irreverent, violent and hilarious video game adaptation "Fallout" has returned for Season 2 (streaming Wednesdays, ★★★½ out of four) with all the panache, humor, gore and verve it had in Season 1. Not a trace of the sophomore slump to be found in the Wasteland.
It's gratifying for a show as big, expensive and outrageous as "Fallout" to return with the same aplomb that made it a hit. Especially in an era in which fans can go years between seasons of their favorite shows, "Fallout" has returned promptly (only a year-and-a-half later!), and it feels like no time at all has passed for the story and the characters. Compare that with the likes of "Stranger Things" or "Outlander," where fans have two or three years while actors visibly age.
Kyle MacLachlan as Hank in "Fallout" Sesaon 2.
"Fallout" has been a fun, kicky, energetic show from its first episode, so this may simply be a case of function following form. Based on the post-apocalyptic video game and starring Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, Aaron Moten and Kyle MacLachlan, "Fallout" takes place in a retro-futuristic world that has been ravaged by nuclear warfare. Season 1 saw our hero Lucy (Purnell) slowly learn just how awful the world is, right down to the father (MacLachlan) who raised her but killed thousands, including her mother.
In Season 2 she's still searching for dad Hank, this time with the somewhat begrudging cooperation of The Ghoul (Goggins), only this time she's out for justice, not a family reunion. The Ghoul is after the same target, thinking the corrupt and connected Hank might have a clue to what happened to his wife and daughter 200 years ago when the world ended. The duo is separated at the start of the season from Maximus (Moten), who is living the highlife with the cultish Brotherhood he always thought he wanted. But is he really happy? And should the violent organization be in charge of the cold fusion MacGuffin everyone was chasing in Season 1? Probably not.
Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XxGyEKUZwybeRQ4jQsNUMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c61b50aaf36fdc3170882d7ad0b85c69 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption="
Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
">Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XxGyEKUZwybeRQ4jQsNUMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c61b50aaf36fdc3170882d7ad0b85c69 class=caas-img> -
"The Gold" (PBS)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The Gold" (PBS)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FWtQ8_yaoVZH9IH9HVSthA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c32554b523c5e7bdf25ea5b63a66ad1 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The Gold" (PBS)
"> -
"The Gold" (PBS)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FWtQ8_yaoVZH9IH9HVSthA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c32554b523c5e7bdf25ea5b63a66ad1 class=caas-img> -
"High Potential" (ABC)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"High Potential" (ABC)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TCUEItQXIc6eNhL.2LLEGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97c53aeaebc25f16ed13adf0fe8c4f8f class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"High Potential" (ABC)
"> -
"High Potential" (ABC)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TCUEItQXIc6eNhL.2LLEGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97c53aeaebc25f16ed13adf0fe8c4f8f class=caas-img> -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0x1OAMwgJboFlRC0sF4Vmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5eecbe483857597b7d043f8134d7dac class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
"> -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0x1OAMwgJboFlRC0sF4Vmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5eecbe483857597b7d043f8134d7dac class=caas-img> -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Xamq87Q44tUyROS1bYc4Rg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/90f677276afa84305c9a7f5a913f86c0 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
"> -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Xamq87Q44tUyROS1bYc4Rg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/90f677276afa84305c9a7f5a913f86c0 class=caas-img> -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lHhD9i0xl3wpfkPiy9ilMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e8c7a9995b129fa346090119ffabb87 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
"> -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lHhD9i0xl3wpfkPiy9ilMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e8c7a9995b129fa346090119ffabb87 class=caas-img> -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MswoW24xpnL0.RiAZT2Gpw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0755ba0bddf4e77787bf63af2d06a530 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
"> -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MswoW24xpnL0.RiAZT2Gpw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0755ba0bddf4e77787bf63af2d06a530 class=caas-img> -
"Matlock" (CBS)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Matlock" (CBS)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AxpVAUYaWjTDrOWQzaBdzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/40f952743badf41faac5ec8a48e96acb class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Matlock" (CBS)
"> -
"Matlock" (CBS)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AxpVAUYaWjTDrOWQzaBdzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/40f952743badf41faac5ec8a48e96acb class=caas-img> -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KwQaSUqXD5JjGUZLVSOOxA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8fbd9116493fbd6ce9df776724415b63 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
"> -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KwQaSUqXD5JjGUZLVSOOxA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8fbd9116493fbd6ce9df776724415b63 class=caas-img> -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/J.u5MJOif66FiJofKNJ0sg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ae78463f7a3af220617883111417873 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
"> -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/J.u5MJOif66FiJofKNJ0sg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ae78463f7a3af220617883111417873 class=caas-img> -
"Task" (HBO)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Task" (HBO)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5rnk7LLwniNYg6m9hZ_QAw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/045b158afe7fa773051dc35ccc08c7ab class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Task" (HBO)
"> -
"Task" (HBO)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5rnk7LLwniNYg6m9hZ_QAw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/045b158afe7fa773051dc35ccc08c7ab class=caas-img> -
"North of North" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"North of North" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R8rNQr2ixHBqrHup.MWbiQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/daa4d552e0f79ea483f8da364f3fb86f class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"North of North" (Netflix)
"> -
"North of North" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R8rNQr2ixHBqrHup.MWbiQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/daa4d552e0f79ea483f8da364f3fb86f class=caas-img> -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xBMdoeZVe3aIeqyecRiS3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/481fdcaf52aad6be336cb8185b6ce54e class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
"> -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xBMdoeZVe3aIeqyecRiS3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/481fdcaf52aad6be336cb8185b6ce54e class=caas-img> -
"Boots" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Boots" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nKBw1w4DFp1sS2u2EzNFRg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5b90ba315c2ecd6cfdf27a5229948045 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Boots" (Netflix)
"> -
"Boots" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nKBw1w4DFp1sS2u2EzNFRg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5b90ba315c2ecd6cfdf27a5229948045 class=caas-img> -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ts_kTuiBOfnyj6CpiYrcgw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4d6b33b7daf9b027aab493f8a5e4d019 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
"> -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ts_kTuiBOfnyj6CpiYrcgw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4d6b33b7daf9b027aab493f8a5e4d019 class=caas-img> -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Gs6spEOEtCvkigKYuXj48A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/01f730a785d6d5772a883899c6039cd1 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
"> -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Gs6spEOEtCvkigKYuXj48A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/01f730a785d6d5772a883899c6039cd1 class=caas-img> -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bk3BvlEBjciADlc7vnZs7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9a21720c000a97dab0e721049165b892 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
"> -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bk3BvlEBjciADlc7vnZs7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9a21720c000a97dab0e721049165b892 class=caas-img> -
"Andor" (Disney+)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Andor" (Disney+)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ArZ6AeX.rrh5Nl_8R38.4A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MjA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c7e67a765516cdb936e9e156edac4f65 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Andor" (Disney+)
"> -
"Andor" (Disney+)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ArZ6AeX.rrh5Nl_8R38.4A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MjA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c7e67a765516cdb936e9e156edac4f65 class=caas-img> -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6uckj13BKr83Yc9oGJGbWQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/117496dbc736128a830c19b3ccc2f3bd class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
"> -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6uckj13BKr83Yc9oGJGbWQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/117496dbc736128a830c19b3ccc2f3bd class=caas-img>
1 / 19The 20 best TV shows of 2025
Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
Meanwhile the show is boiling over with beloved actors as deliciously evil villains. MacLachlan gets to embrace his inner baddie now that his character's bad guy persona has been revealed (he even gets a little villain makeover sequence, a fun twist on the Hollywood trope). Also Justin Theroux joins the cast as Rob House, an unnerving technocrat who is part of the whole puzzle of how the vaults were made and the nuclear apocalypse began. The flashbacks to prewar drama, and other parts of our characters' pasts, continue to unravel the series' mysteries.
"Fallout" remains a show that glories in high contrast visuals, emotions and characters. There is no shortage of new disgusting ways for the people of this irradiated world to get maimed and die, and no shortage of new mutant creatures for Lucy, Ghoul and Maximus to have to battle, either. Both Parnell and Moten have settled comfortably into their roles, and the latter feels distinctly more natural as buttoned-up Maximus this time around.
Walton Goggins in a flashback scene in Season 2 of "Fallout."
Goggins and MachLachlan are utter delights and Theroux's natural weirdness fits right into the ambiance of the series. Each episode is like a disgusting box of chocolates: You never know what horrors you're going to get.
There should be more shows like "Fallout," pure adventures that don't get bogged down in mythology (looking again at "Stranger" here) and never lose either depth of feeling or sense of fun. If you can stomach all the splattered guts and noseless monsters, you won't be disappointed by the enrapturing story the series is starting to unwind.
Just say "okey dokey!" and let the gross times roll.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Fallout' Season 2 review – Just say 'okey dokey!'
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
