Fallout Season 2, Episode 3, "The Profligate" Recap & Review
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
Fallout’s third episode of the second season dives headfirst into the kind of morally tangled storytelling that the series is known for. The episode swings between moments of great tension and fun, even if a bit overly dramatic at times. While this episode does have some really strong moments, I do sometimes question whether Fallout Season 2 is leaning too hard into its dark humor or if it’s jusssst right. Still, there’s no denying that it keeps you watching, even when it’s not always 100% satisfying.
We open with Thaddeus, our now-ghoul friend (once Brotherhood member) from last season, running a bottle cap organization that essentially seems like it's a child labour camp... Most, if not all, the kids are ghouls, which adds a layer of tragic absurdity that only Fallout could pull off. Thaddeus insists, “Ain’t nothing wrong with being a ghoul… I’m a ghoul!” and in my opinion he’s not wrong, but his manipulation of the kids is definitely something that is meant to not sit right with the viewer. The episode finds a way to make this horrifying setup strangely charming, and you can’t help but wonder where all those bottle caps and Nuka-Colas are coming from... It’s darkly funny, but it also makes you question the lengths people will go to survive in this post-nuke world.
Cut to Lucy, who’s now in a weird modern Roman-style imprisonment camp with, surprise... the tunic girl! The tunic girl is however quickly executed, and we’re then introduced to the much anticipated Macaulay Culkin as the left-hand man of “The Caesar" (pronounced Kaiser) and The Legion. Lucy tries to use her wit to talk her way out, but she’s clearly out of her depth here. There are definitely some strong moments in some of these Legion scenes, including one of my favourite quotes of the episode, “All that remains of America is the overwhelming evidence of its failure.” I think that particular quote really drives home the world of the show's bleak worldview, and may be slightly non-diegetic in its appeal.
Back to Cooper Howard the Ghoul, who’s still recovering from the scorpion fight from the prior episode. His dog is faithfully by his side, and he’s shown cutting out a green mass from his leg. It's gross, but effective. The episode (and the show overall) definitely doesn’t shy away from the gooey details. Cooper’s loneliness is palpable in this scene, and his flashback scenes reveal even more about the moral ambiguity of his past. We see him once again being a man of circumstance, trying to find the once decent decision among all bad ones. Coop is definitely still one of the most complex and most intriguing character in the series.
From there, we're back to the Brotherhood, clearly shaken by the arrival of Zander from the Commonwealth. Some leaders try to back out after having agreed to the civil war, but Elder Cleric Quintus rallies them with the history of The Brotherhood, saying, “His [the founder of The Brotherhood] government had defied god, and for that he defied his government.” The women leader, who’s been established as not very religious, stands her ground and leaves. Maximus then volunteers to kill Zander. Then, like a son being scolded by a distant and emotionally abusive father, Maximus is told to leave, and you can see his ego bruised as he walks away with his tail between his legs. I feel that it is here that Max is really starting to feel too good for his situation with the brotherhood. You can tell he's about to become a hot head... And Zander swiftly senses this and swoops in for a conversation.
Zander, the Commonwealth visitor, is definitely a charismatic troublemaker who knows just how to play the game. He appeals to Max’s soldier nature, having some great one liners like, “We are the ones who bleed.” and emphasizing the "us versus them" mentality. Max seems to be easy prey for this type of rhetoric, and Zander takes him flying off for an adventure, separating him from the Brotherhood, both metaphorically and physically, to try and win him over. Zander’s confidence and charisma are on full display in this episode, and he’s clearly a major threat to the Brotherhood at this point in time.
Back at the Legion side of New Vegas, Coop tries to recruit help from old friends to rescue Lucy. He ends up coming across an old "friend" and automaton, Victor, a friendly but mysterious robot (a nice nod for the game players here!), who helps him find some allies. After some discussion, unfortunately Coop walks away knowing they can’t help him. His final note, “If something is dead, it’s usually because it deserved to die,” is once again a chilling reminder of his bleak worldview.
This episode definitely keeps tensions high as alliances shift and old grudges come to light. Maximus finds himself caught between conflicting loyalties, while Zander continues to weave his web of influence, testing Max’s resolve. Meanwhile, Cooper works to secure Lucy’s freedom. And as the episode moves between past and present, Coop is forced to confront his own regrets and the morally ambiguous decisions that clearly still haunt him. When chaos erupts, Coop must make choices that will have lasting consequences for everyone around him.
The final moments bring Maximus' situation spirals out of control, bringing another fun easter egg in the frame of weaponry from the games. The episode closes with a sense of uncertainty, leaving viewers wondering what kind of future these characters will build (or destroy) next.
Episode 3 is a rollercoaster of moral ambiguity, dark humor, and character development. Fallout doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable, and the twists keep you on the edge of your seat. It seems that this episode will for sure set the stage for even more intense drama in the rest of the season, so enjoy the watch!
