Fallout Hits the Comedic Target in Episode 2
Cherry tomatoes have never been funnier
You’ve seen one death scene; you’ve seen them all. Am I right? Well, actually, not even in the slightest when it comes to Fallout episode 2, “The Target.” The second episode dives into a deeper level of certainty from each of the three main characters, while also introducing the “target” mentioned in the fantastic first episode of the Prime Video series.
This is your spoiler warning for Fallout episode 2, “The Target,” so read if you’ve watched or don’t mind some spoiler territory.
Michael Emerson (Lost, Evil) plays a doctor or scientist of some kind where we see him working in a large facility where dogs are being bred, but he takes one to his lab and trains it on his own. He also creates a tiny fluorescent object that he then injects into his neck – yikes. It’s all fun and games until someone comes into his lab and notices the dog who shouldn’t be there and pulls the emergency alarm. This is the part where the trained dog tackles and kills the intruder.
First: The Comedy of Fallout Episode 2
There is a lighthearted naivety mixed with caution as Lucy traverses the wastelands after escaping her home in Vault 33. She soon comes to be recognized as a “vault dweller,” someone unwelcome in this newly discovered world. The first glimpse of her not understanding the outside world, comes in the form of her making a fire at night. If you’re familiar with The Hunger Games, or any other movie where bad ideas seem plain as day, this simple act of making a fire does not seem like the right move.
As she awakens to a dog near her in the light of the fire, it soon attacks a mutated cockroach that probably would’ve attacked and consumed Lucy. Emerson’s character, Wilzig, is sitting down across from her and begins to explain the importance of her returning home; Lucy does not understand the world she’s come into and she is not safe. He then explains the threat of the cockroach and that life is not the same as it is within the vaults.
“You are going to get across that wasteland, and we’re going to do it together. Okay? That’s a promise.” -Lucy, Fallout episode 2
Despite his warning, she gleefully continues on her trek to find her father. She finds a dilapidated farm and its owner. She asks for directions while pointing a gun at him. After he’s deemed not a threat, she offers him water, he drinks it all, and he then invites her to stay with him. This encounter, much like Lucy’s trek, is wildly absurd yet humorous at the same time. Even as she finds herself in a small town, she bluntly informs a shop owner of her selling stolen property, while she also seems to have such “pep in her step.”
Her positive outlook, unwavering as it seems, will waver quite a bit with her next encounter with Maximus and “The Ghoul” – more to come below.
Second: Watch What You Say
It’s safe to say that Maximus did not have a great first encounter with his leader Knight Titus. They have designated coordinates to begin searching for “the target,” but Titus decides to drop from their aircraft holding onto Maximus as he screams all the way down. Also, totally fair reaction. Why does he want to stop short of their destination? As he says, “I’m bored and I want to shoot something.” This doesn’t present a promising look at what’s supposed to be a “knight in shining armor,” especially when he tells Maximus to search darker parts of a cave alone.
This gigantic robotic figure, covered from head-to-toe in metal, with various weapons at his disposal asks his unarmored squire to scout ahead. Unfortunately, a large irradiated bear appears behind Titus and a battle takes place. That is until he tries to run away and soon has the bear on top of him chewing on his iron head. Fortunately, Maximus is a good shot and kills the bear, but not quick enough to wear Titus isn’t severely injured.
His injuries require Maximus’ aid, but Titus doesn’t seem very adept at asking or behaving nicely. He takes off his helmet and showcases a whining, cantankerous, and wannabe tough guy. He explains how he’s failed and that they’ll hang Maximus, while also barking orders at him to heal him. As far as asking for help goes, I don’t think he’s doing it right. I think it’s safe to say we knew what was going happen as soon as he opened his big mouth.
Third: Showdown at the Comedy Corral
Is it funny to see someone’s foot blown off? No. Is it funny to see a gigantic blast shred through two people? No. Is it funny when the Ghoul points out offering someone cherry tomatoes would be ridiculous because of the hole in his neck? Well, yeah, kind of.
The mutated cowboy does not have any fear at all, so when he is looking to bring in Emerson’s character because of a large bounty, it is quite clear all hell is about to break loose. The unwavering confidence of completing this task isn’t dissimilar from Lucy’s bravado. It doesn’t matter what anyone says, they’re going to push ahead and complete their task.
In this case, both Lucy and Maximus come between the Ghoul and his prize. Lucy shoots the Ghoul with her highly toxic dart gun, but the response is as appropriate and wild as you might expect. He says, “Well now that is a very small drop in a very, very large bucket of drugs.” In to save the day is Maximus in his newly metallic attire, believing he’s capable enough to take down anyone, including someone as talented at killing as the Ghoul.
After Maximus dives to save Lucy, he opens his mask and they meet for the first time. It’s a little bit of a meet-cute moment, even with bullets pinging off the large armored suit as they talk. The unwavering confidence from Lucy (and Maximus) I mentioned early; yeah, that kind of goes out the window at this point. They realize they’re in an impossibly dangerous situation – and it probably doesn’t help that the Ghoul laughs as he blasts his shotgun as he backs away from the armored knight’s charge.
The Ghoul almost kills Maximus, but he’s able to use blasters (Iron Man-style) and fly away.
Lastly: Comedy in Death from Fallout Episode 2
It’s safe to say it wasn’t a surprise to see Lucy come to the rescue and take Wilzig away across the wastelands. First, it will lead to his father’s captor. Second, it goes with her sense of doing the right thing in the face of any and all obstacles. Despite the challenges in this episode, Lucy is just as determined as she was in the beginning.
Knowing how dangerous the world is doesn’t matter. She pushes ahead. And that seems to be the resounding similarity between her and the other two main characters; there is no way other than the path they choose to move forward on. In this moment, she’s walking across the desert with a very important person who had his blown off foot replaced by a gigantic metal foot.
But as they reach a stopping point, Emerson’s brilliant performance knows no bounds. He indicates how he’s not going to make it and she needs to move on without him. As honorable as Lucy can manage, she dictates what will happen next – “You are going to get across that wasteland, and we’re going to do it together. Okay? That’s a promise.”
“No, you see I’ve just taken a cyanide pill…It tasted like banana. I was surprised it wasn’t more popular.” -Wilzig, Fallout episode 2
Without any delay, he says, “No, you see I’ve just taken a cyanide pill…It tasted like banana. I was surprised it wasn’t more popular.” This incredibly timed comment about his impending death is brilliant. It’s obviously sad, because we don’t want to lose this character because Michael Emerson is amazing at what he does and he’s equally great here. The nonchalant nature of which he announced he just took a poison pill, while also being surprised the nice flavor didn’t make it more popular is too good not to point out.
What is also impossible to avoid pointing out is his reasoning for taking it. He wants her to cut off his head, preserving whatever he injected into his neck, because it would be easier to carry his head rather than drag his dead body. The comedic elements of this Fallout episode cannot be understated and the continued excellence from the first episode is leaning this series into special territory.