9 Things You Forgot About Fallout During the Wait for Season 2

The popular post-apocalyptic drama returns for its second season on December 17, 2025, following the success of its first season which premiered in early 2024. Based on the well-known video game series, the show was a big hit for Amazon Prime Video, and featured strong performances from Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work.

After a long time, let’s quickly recap the most important events of Season 1. Even if you know the story from the game, a reminder can be helpful.

Vault-Tec Wanted to Start a Nuclear War

I always thought Vault-Tec was trying to help people survive the bombs, but I found out something awful. I learned, through a memory of the Ghoul – back when he was Cooper Howard – that they actually planned the nuclear war. He overheard his wife talking with a coworker, and it became clear their whole ‘saving civilization’ thing was a lie. They wanted to wipe everyone else out and be the only ones left in charge. It’s sickening to think they deliberately caused all that destruction just to gain power.

Finding out everything was just about money and control was bad enough, but then I learned my dad, Hank, was actually there when it all happened. Apparently, after Mom took my brother and me and ran from the Vault, Hank went and bombed Shady Sands. That’s how Rose ended up as a ghoul! Honestly, it was the biggest shock of the whole season, and it completely changed how I see everything.

The Ghoul’s Backstory With Vault-Tec

A fascinating part of the Fallout story is the history of The Ghoul. Before becoming who he is, he was a well-known actor, happily married to Barb, a leader at Vault-Tec, and they were raising their daughter, Janey. Although they loved each other, they disagreed strongly on political issues, as he firmly opposed Vault-Tec’s practices.

He initially faced criticism for appearing in Vault-Tec commercials, with many accusing him of selling out. Things got much worse when he learned the truth about Vault-Tec’s actions and discovered his wife was involved, leading to problems in both his personal and professional life.

He survived the Great War, but the radiation changed him into a Ghoul. Thanks to his military background – he’d fought in the Sino-American War – and skills learned as a cowboy and actor, he became a successful bounty hunter. After two centuries wandering the wasteland in this new form, he’s become a hardened and distant figure, caring only for dogs and his family.

Norm Finds the Cryogenically Stored Junior Executives

While investigating on his own, Norm, Lucy’s brother, used the computer in Vault 32 to learn that the leaders of Vaults 32 and 33 all originally came from Vault 31—including his own father. He then broke into Vault 31 and discovered the frozen junior executives stored there, among them Hank, who was once one of them. This discovery confirms troubling reports about the experiments that were carried out on people.

Vaults 31, 32, and 33 weren’t shelters—they were part of a twisted experiment. Vault-Tec intended to use these vaults to create a new generation of loyal employees who would rebuild society after the bombs fell. Norm and Lucy both discover this shocking truth at the same time: Lucy witnesses her wild mother and finally faces her father, while Norm uncovers the full scope of the experiment.

Hank’s Actions Turned Rose Into a Feral Ghoul

Lucy learns from Moldaver in the Hank refused to entertain her questions.

Rather than allow Rose to leave, Hank tracked her down at Shady Sands, where she was living and had become friends with Moldaver. When Rose wouldn’t return home, Hank took their children and, as they grew up, falsely told them she had died in the plague of 2277.

Driven by years of resentment and a desire for security, Hank detonated a nuclear bomb in Shady Sands. While Rose survived the initial blast, the intense radiation slowly transformed her into a feral ghoul. Moldaver discovered her and has been keeping her alive at his base ever since.

Honestly, watching Lucy find her mom like that just broke my heart. And then to learn her dad was the one who did it? Brutal. It all culminates in Lucy making the incredibly difficult decision to end her mother’s suffering herself. It’s a really tough scene, but you can see why she did it, even if it’s devastating.

Maximus Is Declared a Knight By the Brotherhood

In the last scene, Maximus witnesses Lucy’s confrontation with her father regarding his actions. Despite previously being punished for his own mistakes, Maximus receives forgiveness from the leader, Quintus, who recognizes his unwavering loyalty. Quintus asks Maximus to assist in rebuilding the Brotherhood to its former ideals. Maximus agrees to fight alongside them, unaware that their enemy, Moldaver, is actually trying to help.

Moldaver died from injuries sustained in a shootout. When Dane discovered Maximus with her body, she immediately assumed he was the killer, and that accusation quickly spread throughout the Brotherhood. Maximus decided not to correct them, especially when they named him Knight Maximus, a title that gave him more influence than he’d ever had. Surprisingly, he didn’t seem to want this newfound power.

Lucy Disowns Her Father After Learning the Truth

Lucy is furious with her father after discovering he wasn’t who she thought he was, that he was involved in the devastating bombing of Shady Sands, and that he intentionally helped start a nuclear war – all on top of learning the truth about her mother.

With Moldaver captured, Lucy pleads with her father to share the code to restart her cold fusion reactor, believing it’s the key to ending the conflict. He reluctantly complies, but Lucy remains deeply hurt. When Maximus discovers Hank’s actions, he confronts him, and Hank defending himself – while wearing the special suit – pushes things too far. Lucy, heartbroken and disillusioned, cuts all ties with her father, effectively disowning him.

Lucy and The Ghoul Agree to Travel Together

As the season progresses, Lucy learns shocking truths about her father and a powerful cold fusion reactor. Around the same time, the Ghoul appears, and upon seeing Hank, he realizes he knew him from over two centuries in the past. This recognition sparks hope that his family – his wife, who worked for Vault-Tec and was involved in the war, and his daughter – might still be alive.

This could actually benefit the Ghoul. He explains to Lucy that because Hank has disappeared, someone could track him back to the person who started the Great War. With Dogmeat by their side, he asks Lucy to help him locate the leaders of Vault-Tec, saying, “Come meet the people who created you.”

They both have their own reasons for doing things, and maybe they can find a way to cooperate. She accepts, as she doesn’t really have any other options. This situation creates a great foundation for the journey ahead.

Moldaver Dies a Sacrificial Death

I was absolutely floored when they showed Ms. Williams’ backstory! It turns out she was Moldaver, and back in 2077, she actually solved the energy crisis with a cold-fusion reactor. She could have prevented the resource war with China, but Vault-Tec shut her down. It’s sickening to think they deliberately chose war because they saw a way to profit from it, even if it meant countless lives lost. It just proves how truly ruthless they were.

In a memory, she encounters Cooper at work and advises him not to trust his wife. She suggests he secretly record her talks with the company board to find out what she’s really up to.

Upon discovering this, Lucy pleads with her father to share the activation code for the cold fusion reactor, hoping Moldaver can use it. Though wounded by a gunshot, Moldaver ultimately manages to activate the code just before succumbing to her injuries.

Hank Runs Away to What Was Las Vegas

Lucy deeply dislikes her father, but she doesn’t harm him. After a fight with Maximus where he defends himself, Lucy cuts her father out of her life completely. She then turns her attention to ending her mother’s suffering and making an arrangement with the Ghoul to travel alongside him.

So, Hank heads for New Vegas, hoping to find Robert House – the CEO of RobCo and basically the guy running the Strip. It’s really cool seeing Justin Theroux play him, he totally nails that whole powerful, enigmatic vibe.

I was so surprised to see Hank still had that power armor when he walked away! I have no idea what he’s planning out in the wasteland around New Vegas, but I’m really excited to find out. We can definitely expect him back for Season 2, along with the Ghoul continuing his search for his family, and Lucy finally getting some answers from her dad. I can’t wait!

2025-12-04 07:11