Key Highlights
- Fallout Season 2, Episode 7 titled “The Handoff” introduces surprising plot twists involving characters from the past.
- The episode reveals that Diane Welch’s severed head is a central processor for brainwashing technology in Hank’s vault.
- Stephanie’s (Steph) back story adds depth to the show, highlighting the annexation of Canada by the United States and her desire for revenge.
- The episode also brings together various Vault storylines and sets up the finale with potential connections to Norm’s discovery of the Forced Evolutionary Virus.
Review: Fallout Season 2, Episode 7 – “The Handoff”
This review delves into the intriguing plot developments in Fallout, season two, episode seven titled “The Handoff,” which is now available to stream on Prime Video. As a seasoned journalist covering entertainment, I find this episode particularly captivating for its intricate weaving of past and present narratives.
Diane Welch’s Return and Brainwashing Tech
In “The Handoff,” the return of Diane Welch (played by Martha Kelly), a character who appeared briefly in earlier episodes, takes on a new significance. Her severed head is revealed to be functioning as the central processor for Hank’s brainwashing technology, a shocking development that adds layers of complexity to the show’s plot. The episode underscores the show’s commitment to connecting seemingly disparate events and characters through these surprising reveals.
Stephanie’s Back Story: Annexation and Revenge
The revelation about Stephanie (Steph)’s background adds depth to her character arc. As a citizen of Canada, Steph witnessed the brutal annexation by the United States during an alternate timeline where Canada faced oppression. This backstory provides a stark contrast to the glamorous sequences featuring Cooper in the New Vegas wasteland and underscores the show’s exploration of different perspectives within its post-apocalyptic setting.
Connecting Vaults: A Prelude to the Finale
The episode brings together various Vault storylines, hinting at the impending finale. Stephanie’s acquisition of Hank’s keepsake box from Betty, a member of Vault 21, sets in motion potential developments tied to the water chip storyline. Additionally, the show seems to be building towards Norm’s discovery of the Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV), which could dramatically alter the trajectory of events leading up to the series’ conclusion.
Maximus and Thaddeus: New Allies in the Wasteland
The episode also features Maximus, Thaddeus, and The Ghoul teaming up to break into New Vegas. This alliance represents a significant shift in the show’s dynamics, as Maximus dons the NCR power armor, marking his transformation from an armored Brotherhood of Steel knight to someone with a renewed sense of purpose. The episode successfully integrates these characters while setting the stage for future conflicts and revelations.
Conclusion
A Lull Before the Storm
Overall, “The Handoff” feels like a chapter in Fallout Season 2 that is tasked with connecting loose ends and laying groundwork for the upcoming finale. While it offers many intriguing plot points, the episode leaves some questions unanswered about how these various storylines will intersect. Nonetheless, the show’s ability to create meaningful connections between past and present remains one of its strongest assets.
How would you score Fallout Season 2, Episode 7? 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Verdict: After last week’s episode dedicated itself to reorganizing the board and all its many pieces, Episode 7 feels like another chapter that’s tasked with a lot of work – there are loose threads and unsolved mysteries to be connected, and the final remaining dominos in need of setting up ahead of the finale. All this feels more satisfying than the previous chapter thanks to answered questions and the partial pulling back of curtains, but we’re definitely still in Fallout Season 2’s lull before the storm.
