The Head (Fallout)
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Episode 3
- Geneva Robertson-Dworet
- Graham Wagner
| "The Head" | |
|---|---|
| Fallout episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Jonathan Nolan |
| Written by |
|
| Cinematography by | Stuart Dryburgh |
| Editing by |
|
| Original air date | April 10, 2024 |
| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Head" is the third episode of the first season of the American post-apocalyptic drama television series Fallout. The episode was written by series developers Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner and directed by executive producer Jonathan Nolan. It was released on Amazon Prime Video on April 10, 2024, alongside the rest of the season.
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, Lucy has an unpleasant encounter with the Ghoul, while Maximus takes over Titus' identity.
The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, writing and tension.
Before the Great War, Cooper Howard films a Western movie and complains to the director about his character killing the villain. In the present day, the Ghoul finds Wilzig's headless corpse and sets out to follow Lucy after giving his scent to CX404. Lucy reaches the underwater remains of Hollywood Boulevard, where a mutated axolotl known as a gulper swallows Wilzig's head. As she escapes the gulper, she is held at gunpoint by the Ghoul.
Back in Filly, Maximus is forced to sell some teeth to pay to have his armor's radio module repaired, but encounters several scavengers attempting to steal the Power Armor. After initially struggling, Maximus regains control of the armor, kills the leader and chases the others off. Through the camcorder, he pretends to be Titus and claims that Maximus died in battle. The Brotherhood of Steel proceeds to send a new squire, Thaddeus, to assist him in his mission. Maximus hides in the armor and pretends to be Titus. As Thaddeus constantly bullied him at the camp, Maximus takes every opportunity to make his new squire's life difficult, only to change his mind when he learns that Thaddeus's bullying was motivated entirely by peer pressure.
The Ghoul begins submerging Lucy, claiming that he is using her as bait to attract the gulper. The gulper appears but quickly escapes when Lucy struggles and accidentally pulls some vials from the Ghoul's jacket, shattering them. The Ghoul is furious as he no longer has the chems that keep him from turning feral. He angrily sets CX404 loose and leaves with Lucy as his prisoner.
In Vault 33, the new co-overseers call a general hearing regarding the future of the raiders they have captured. Norm suggests that rehabilitation is a waste of time and that they should execute the prisoners. He is rebuked, but news of a water shortage due to the Vault's purification chip failing puts more pressure on the overseers to make a decision.
Sensing a high level of radiation, Maximus and Thaddeus reach Hollywood Boulevard, encountering the gulper. Thaddeus is almost swallowed whole, but Maximus intervenes and pulls Thaddeus out, causing the gulper to throw up the contents of its guts and killing itself in the process. Thaddeus and Maximus, recovering from the encounter, turn to see CX404 licking her deceased owner's head.
Lucy is held hostage by the Ghoul as they cross the desert. Lucy begs for water but her pleas go unheard.
In the past, Cooper's wife, Barb, gets him into contact with Vault-Tec, as Cooper is worried about his career declining. Agreeing to work as a spokesman and ambassador for the company, Cooper wears a Vault-Tec jumpsuit and goes to a photoshoot to advertise the Vault, at one point giving an impromptu thumbs up for a photo. It is implied that Vault-Tec's new mascot, the Vault Boy, is later modeled after Cooper.
Production
Development
It was the third episode directed by executive producer Jonathan Nolan.[1]
Music
The score is composed by Ramin Djawadi.[2] The episode featured many songs, including "Maybe" by The Ink Spots, "So Doggone Lonesome" by Johnny Cash, "We'll Meet Again" by The Ink Spots, "Tweedlee Dee" by LaVern Baker, "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller, and "Act Naturally" by Buck Owens.[3]
Release
The episode, along with the rest of the season, premiered on April 10, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video.[4] Originally, the season was scheduled to premiere on April 12, 2024.[5]
