Fallout is not my thing

On the subject of popular games being turned into live action, I recently tried to watch the new Fallout show.

Now, I’ve never really been a fan of the Fallout games. They’re not my thing. They’re just a little too depressing. Post apocalyptic, scorched Earth, survival games. None of that please.

But I saw the new show was writtend and directed by Jonathan Nolan (Westworld and the Prestige) with Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones and Westworld) doing the soundtrack. So, I figured I’d give it a shot.

It’s good. Really good. It’s got a compelling story, strong characters, fantastic world building with plenty of nods to the video games.

I just don’t like it.

Again, it’s a good show and I’ve been told it’s faithful to the games, but it’s not something I enjoy.

I made it through 6 episodes before I stopped. I could not bring myself to keep watching it. Despite all the other qualities I listed above, I didn’t care about the characters or what happened to them. I was uninterested in how the show ended.

Well, I cared about Kyle MacLachlan’s character, but he wasn’t in the early episodes enough to keep me going. I didn’t have the breadcrumbs to keep me on for all eight episodes.

And you know what? That’s okay. A show can be good, and you don’t have to like it. Everyone has their own tastes. I gave it a shot because I like Jonathan Nolan and Ramin Djawadi. As good as they both are, their talents weren’t enough to get me to enjoy the show.

And I can hear it now. “You like Borderlands and not Fallout? They’re practically the same thing.”

Not really.

Borderlands is intentionally stupid. It’s satire and pokes fun at itself. Yes, it has blood and guts and a certain dystopian vibe, but it’s far away from Earth and it’s easier to separate the despair from day-to-day life.

Fallout is in your face. The dystopia is here. The tragedy is here. It’s reflected in the ruins of easily recognizable landmarks and countrysides. It’s more real.

I don’t handle dystopia well. Overall, Fallout is very good. I just don’t like it.

But I am happy for those who love the games that they have this show, and it was what they wanted it to be.