The Demon in the Snow (Fallout)
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Episode 4
| "The Demon in the Snow" | |
|---|---|
| Fallout episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Stephen Williams |
| Written by | Jane Espenson |
| Cinematography by | David Franco |
| Editing by | Ali Comperchio |
| Original air date | January 7, 2026 |
| Running time | 49 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Demon in the Snow" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American post-apocalyptic drama television series Fallout. It is the twelfth overall episode of the series and was written by consulting producer Jane Espenson, and directed by Stephen Williams. It was released on Amazon Prime Video on January 7, 2026.
The series depicts the aftermath of an apocalyptic nuclear exchange in an alternate history of Earth where advances in nuclear technology after World War II led to the emergence of a retrofuturistic society and a subsequent resource war. The survivors took refuge in fallout shelters known as Vaults, built to preserve humanity in the event of nuclear annihilation. In the episode, Deathclaws are introduced, Lucy and the Ghoul reach New Vegas, while the Brotherhood of Steel turn against one another.
The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised the episode's comedic elements and production values, particularly the design of New Vegas.
During the Sino-American War, a power-armored Cooper Howard is ambushed and immobilised by Chinese soldiers in Alaska. They taunt him, before they are killed by a Deathclaw. The Deathclaw confronts Howard before it is lured away by gunfire, leaving him be.
In 2296, Norm grows suspicious of a Vault-Tec executive who seems to know more than he reveals. In Vault 33, a broken water chip causes severe shortages, leading Betty to consult Steph; they discover Vault 31 is empty and thus the experiment effectively over, but Steph withholds help unless she receives Hank's keepsake box stored in Vault 33. Woody overhears and reports the conversation to Steph, who is dismissive, while Chet learns Steph has a pre-war Canadian ID.
Still shaken after killing Xander, Maximus convinces Thaddeus to take on Xander's power-armor to impersonate him, as Xander's death would likely provoke a civil war. Upon returning to Area 51, Dane immediately deduces that Xander died, with Maximus confiding that he plans to seize the opportunity to kill Quintus. Maximus confronts Quintus at gunpoint, but is unable to bring himself to shoot. He confesses to killing Xander, and Quintus tries to kill him after Maximus reveals that he did so to save ghoul children. Chaos erupts after Dane steals the cold fusion relic, as the Brotherhood chapters attack one another, each believing the others are responsible. Maximus and Thaddeus flee with the relic into the desert.
Lucy recovers at a New California Republic camp and is provided with weapons by the Rangers there. The Ghoul and Lucy continue towards New Vegas, although she has become addicted to drugs used during her recovery. The Ghoul provides her with more drugs, which causes her to gleefully kill feral ghouls at the New Vegas Strip gate. Lucy and the Ghoul enter the New Vegas Strip, which they find abandoned and irradiated, and are confronted by a Deathclaw which has taken residence there.
Production
Development
The episode was written by consulting producer Jane Espenson, and directed by Stephen Williams. It was Espenson's first writing credit and Williams' first directing credit.[1]
Filming
Ella Purnell said that Lucy killing the Ghouls under the influence of drugs was her favorite scene to film in the season, explaining "it's like something you'd never in a million years think Lucy would do. I particularly love the bit where she realizes she's not herself, and The Ghoul explains to her what's caused her altered state of mind." She added, "She's really trying to justify it, which I think is perfect. It's such good writing. It's the perfect amalgamation of Lucy genuinely trying to do the right thing, but also tinged by the drugs talking."[2]
Music
The episode features many songs, including "Rum and Coca-Cola" by The Andrews Sisters, "Cocaine Blues" by Roy Hogsed, and "He's a Demon, He's a Devil, He's a Doll" by Betty Hutton.[3]
