The Fallout TV series is filled with numerous Easter eggs and references to the video games, drawing from a wealth of source material. Be warned, spoilers lie ahead!
The Fallout TV series has been highly praised by both fans and critics for its faithfulness to the beloved video games as source material. Although there was initially concern that the series would make the popular Fallout: New Vegas uncanon, it was ultimately proven that this was not the case.
Furthermore, the Fallout TV show serves as a tribute to the game series, going to great lengths to incorporate references and Easter eggs that are sure to please fans of the post-apocalyptic RPG. Here’s a comprehensive list of all the Easter eggs and nods to the game that we have noticed in Amazon Prime’s Fallout thus far.
Dogmeat is a loyal companion to most Fallout protagonists.
Dogmeat
In the mainline Fallout games, a recurring companion known as Dogmeat is featured. However, with each game, a different dog is portrayed (and even the breed varies over time). Nevertheless, Dogmeat remains a faithful companion to the protagonist, offering assistance in fights and being an overall exceptional companion.
In the TV show, Dr. Wilzig adopts a dog named Dogmeat, but doesn’t reveal the pooch’s name until later in the series. This is a clear nod to the games and a delightful inclusion for many fans.
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth, located in the Wasteland, encompasses the entire state of Massachusetts, including its capital city of Boston. This area served as the setting for Fallout 4 and was marked by conflicts between various factions and the secretive Institute. While the Minutemen dominate the region, their efforts to establish supply routes for the benefit of the people are countered by the influential presence of the Brotherhood of Steel.
In the first episode of the Fallout TV series, a cleric reveals that they have been in contact with their chapter in the Commonwealth. This suggests that the Brotherhood of Steel is still functioning in that region and may have emerged victorious over the Institute in Fallout 4. Alternatively, it could indicate that the Minutemen prevailed and are now coexisting with the Brotherhood, as seen in one of the endings of Fallout 4.
The Brotherhood of Steel
The Fallout TV show prominently showcases the Brotherhood of Steel, which is fitting considering the faction’s frequent appearance in the game’s marketing and involvement in almost every installment. Originating from former members of the US Military, they have evolved into a quasi-religious organization fixated on technology. While they typically prioritize their own objectives, they can be persuaded to assist the protagonists in different Fallout games.
The group played a crucial role in defeating the Enclave, and depending on the player’s decisions, they may have also contributed to the downfall of Caesar’s Legion and the elusive Institute in later installments. The series effectively portrays the group’s strengths and flaws, highlighting their strong sense of altruism but also their tendency towards extremism. Additionally, the series accurately depicts their iconic power armor, Vertibirds, Airships, and even reveals that their armor is powered by power cores, just like in the game.
The Enclave
The Enclave, a long-standing foe of the Brotherhood of Steel and virtually anyone else, is mentioned by Dr. Siggi Wilzig, a former scientist, in the Fallout TV series. Since the show is set years after the events of Fallout 3, it is safe to assume that the group has been largely defeated and disbanded.
In the game Fallout: New Vegas, players have the option to persuade a group of Enclave Remnants to join forces with them in battling Caesar’s Legion. This could potentially lead to a collaboration between the Enclave, Brotherhood of Steel, and NCR. If this were to become the official ending, it is possible that the former Enclave members would discover a new sense of purpose in the post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Despite this, it is possible that there remains a faction of nefarious Enclave members who are planning a resurgence.
The Enclave were the main villains of Fallout 2 and 3.
S.P.E.C.I.A.L
Our initial encounter with Lucy shows her participating in Vault-Tec’s S.P.E.C.I.A.L program, which is aimed at assisting vault-dwellers in identifying their talents and how they can contribute to the community. This serves as the character creation process in the game, giving players the opportunity to shape their desired role as a wanderer in the post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Vault-Tec
The TV show takes inspiration from the games by incorporating the presence of Vault-Tec, a morally questionable organization responsible for creating the vaults in order to “safeguard humanity”from nuclear devastation, all while reaping financial benefits.
The TV show also references Vault-Tec’s questionable reputation, a theme that has been hinted at numerous times in the games but has yet to be fully explored. Additionally, the show delves into the origins of the iconic Vault-Tec jumpsuit and its color scheme.
Pip-Boy
Every vault-dweller receives a practical device that is fastened to their arm. In the games, it functions as a heads-up display and has multiple other purposes. The TV series frequently showcases the Pip-Boy, and some characters can be seen playing its included classic game, Atomic Command! It’s almost as if Vault-Tec intentionally prepared for a potential nuclear war.
Vault-Boy Collectibles: Bobbleheads and Lunchboxes
Vault-Boy, the mascot of Vault-Tec, is a familiar presence in the games, appearing in logos and Pip-Boy animations. In most games, players can collect his bobbleheads to unlock special features. Additionally, Vault-Tec lunchboxes are another popular collectible. These items are not just limited to the virtual world, as fans of the Fallout series can also collect real-life versions. In fact, the special edition of Fallout 3 even included a lunchbox and bobblehead as part of the package.
In most episodes of the TV show, viewers can spot Vault-Boy bobbleheads, some of which are hidden in plain sight while others are prominently featured. During Lucy’s visit to Ma’s Sundries, a Vault-Tec lunchbox can be seen on the table, bearing a striking resemblance to the real-life versions.
Fallout bobbleheads are all over the TV series.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
In the Fallout TV series, there are numerous robots from the games, including the well-known Mr. Handy who disturbingly informs Lucy that it will collect her organs. However, the show delves even further by showcasing the actual Codsworth, a human who provided his voice for the robots in the games, TV show, and the Fallout universe. Additionally, we came across a decomposed and corroded Assultron in the desert, as well as a modified Robobrain.
Chems (drugs)
In the games, players have the option to use chems and stims to restore their health and enhance their abilities. However, it is important for players to use these substances in moderation as they can lead to addiction. In the TV show, Raiders can be seen consuming the drug Jet before engaging in combat, and Lucy resorts to using a stimpack to heal herself after getting into a scuffle with a Raider.
Red Rocket
The TV show features a garage known as Red Rocket which plays a significant role in Fallout 4. This garage serves as an initial base for the player and a location to customize and store their power armor. Although similar in appearance, the garage in the TV show is likely a different one from the one in Fallout 4, as the game is set in Boston rather than California.
Thumbs-up
Vault-Boy’s iconic thumbs-up gesture has been a subtle nod to the looming threat of nuclear war. It symbolizes the act of checking one’s own safety by holding up a thumb to determine if they are within the blast zone of a nuclear explosion. However, as seen in the Fallout universe, this information proved to be unreliable when the bombs eventually fell.
The origins of this pose are also revealed on the TV show, exposing how Vault-Tec used propaganda to manipulate the population into either certain death or living in one of their vaults. The explanation being given to a child only adds to the unsettling nature of this deception.
The thumbs-up has a dark meaning.
Please Stand By
As with all vaults eventually, when Vault 33 encounters trouble, the projector screen malfunctions and displays a “Please Stand By”message. This is a reference to the loading screens in Fallout. This message can also be seen in Vault-Tec’s deceptive propaganda videos.
The FEV
The Enclave created the Forced Evolution Virus (FEV) in an attempt to aid humanity’s survival in the Wasteland. However, it ultimately led to the emergence of the Super Mutants, who, under the command of The Master, became the primary adversaries in the initial installment of the Fallout series.
Despite their attempts to rectify their mistake in Fallout 2 and 3 by devising a sinister plot to eliminate all forms of mutation in the Wasteland, resulting in the death of nearly everything, the Enclave was ultimately thwarted by the combined efforts of the protagonist in Fallout 3 and the Brotherhood of Steel.
In the television series, Dr. Wilzig catches a glimpse of a powerful green arm, suggesting that it belongs to a Super Mutant. While it is the only one shown in the show, it is possible that Season 2 will introduce more of these creatures. Interestingly, some Super Mutants are known to be friendly and have served as companions to several protagonists in the Fallout franchise.
Mutated Animals
Despite there being numerous creatures to mention, the Fallout TV series effectively incorporates several Wasteland fauna from the Fallout games, including Rad Roaches, two-headed Brahmin, a Yao Guai, Gulpers, and even a display of Deathclaw skulls at the end.
Those who are familiar with the games will recognize these creatures and it was enjoyable to see them brought to life in the show. The hint of a Deathclaw was particularly unsettling, leaving us eager to see if these terrifying beasts will show up in Season 2.
In-Universe Product Placement
Anyone who has experience with any of the Fallout games will recognize the assortment of products, brands, and allusions that have appeared throughout the series. Among these are figures from comic books that have been revered by the inhabitants of the post-apocalyptic world, like Grognak the Barbarian.
Some of the items in the game are household products like Abraxo cleaner, Nuka-Cola, and Sugar Bombs, while others are commonly found in everyday locations like the Super-Duper Mart, or are essential survival items like Radaway. This feature exists in both the game and the TV show, serving to lower radiation levels in a similar manner.
Nuka-cola is one of Fallout’s best-known in-universe brands.
The Fiends
The Fiends, a compact yet lethal faction of Raiders in the Fallout franchise, may be considered minor adversaries, yet their impact is far from insignificant. This is evident in the TV series as the protagonists find themselves in a confrontation with the Fiends, resulting in a fierce clash between the two groups.
Shady Sands (The NCR)
Shady Sands is a familiar location to players of the Fallout games, serving as the primary base for the New California Republic (NCR). Situated near Los Angeles, Shady Sands plays a crucial role in Fallout: New Vegas and is a place where players can easily pass a significant amount of time.
As Season 2 of the TV series approaches, it has been several years since the events of New Vegas and Shady Sands has been devastated by an unknown entity. While the NCR is presumed to still exist and may be featured in the upcoming season, it will be intriguing to discover the new adversary they are facing.
New Vegas
The post-apocalyptic version of Las Vegas, known as New Vegas, continues to thrive as the playground of the Wasteland, even after the bombs dropped. This location is featured in the game Fallout: New Vegas, which takes place between Fallout 3 and 4. The city holds great strategic value for the NCR, who are battling against the ruthless Caesar’s Legion for control of the Mojave Wasteland. However, the city is currently under the control of the tyrannical Mr. House, who shows no intentions of relinquishing it to either faction. New Vegas has been alluded to multiple times in the TV series and is expected to be the main setting for Season 2. The show incorporates various aspects from Fallout:
Mr. House
Despite being the leader of New Vegas in the games and ruling the city with an iron fist, Mr. House relies heavily on his army of goons and robots for support. His ultimate goal is to strengthen his dictatorship and eliminate his rivals, the NCR, Caesar’s Legion, and the Brotherhood of Steel, by creating a more powerful army of robots. However, his plans are derailed when he loses control of the army due to the loss of the Platinum Chip, the crucial item in Fallout: New Vegas that sets off the protagonist’s journey.
The player has the option to support Mr. House in the game, aiding him in achieving his goals. Alternatively, they can choose to betray him by either killing him or condemning him to a miserable existence. It is also possible for the player to oppose him from the beginning, as he is clearly portrayed as a villain.
In the final episode of the TV series, it is revealed that Mr. Robert House, the founder of Rob-Co, makes an appearance. The question remains whether he will make a comeback in Season 2 or if his fate has already been sealed in Fallout: New Vegas.
If you are a fan of Fallout, here are five shows you should watch. Recently, the Fallout franchise made a significant alteration to its lore. We also have all the details on what to expect from Season 2 of Fallout. And you may be wondering if the Fallout TV series is linked to the games.
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