The Target – Episode 2 opens with the introduction of an enigmatic Enclave scientist, Wilzig (Michael Emerson), and his rescued, CX404. The several minutes show how Wilzig saved the undeveloped puppy and basically dedicated his life to nursing and training him. Wilzig is shown at one point injecting himself with what appears to be some mysterious blue liquid. Shortly after recovering from the injection, Wilzig’s companion is discovered by the unexpected arrival of a fellow scientist. Although the man manages to sound the alarm, CX404 rips his throat out.

Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) continues her journey across the wasteland. Despite many shocking sites, an intentionally poisoned family dinner appears to disturb her most. Much later that night after making camp, she is startled awake by Wilzig and CX404. It doesn’t take her long to realize that the two aren’t a threat, although they have nothing to offer to help track down her father, Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan). Before disappearing into the night, Wilzig practically tells her that she doesn’t belong out here, and lighting the fire is prime proof of that. The next day, Wilzig and CX404 stop for lunch outside what appears to be a radiation mine.

Maximus (Aaron Moten) and Knight Titus (Michael Rapaport) continue their journey to Filly by Vertibird until Titus becomes bored and orders an unplanned stop. Miraculously, the two manage to touchdown at the same radiation mine but Wilzig and CX404 are nowhere in sight. Titus intimidates Maximus into entering the radiated mine, which ends up saving his life when they are surprised by an infected bear. Despite the constant barrage of insults, threats, and snide remarks, Maximus saves Titus’ life. He later has a change of heart and refuses to give Titus a stimpak.

Lucy has an awkward encounter with a wastelander when she stops to ask for directions. After pointing her in the right direction and pointing out just how dangerous it is, he offers her to stay with him. She politely refuses and he counters with the offer to leave her everything he owns when he dies, which he claims shouldn’t be too long. She merely walks away.

With Titus out of the way, Maximus spends the next several minutes getting acquainted with his new armor. His tutorial ends once he hears and intervenes in a nearby dispute. Maximus arrives to discover a Chicken Collector (Jake Garber) strangling another man to death. He quickly intervenes and the strangled man is more than grateful. Maximus rethinks his decision when he later learns that the strangled man was having sex with the Collector’s chickens.

Lucy finally arrives in Filly and appears a bit stunned by all the strangeness around her. Although she clearly stands out, the only one who pays her any real attention is Cooper Howard/The Ghoul (Walton Goggins). Lucy’s worldly inexperience becomes apparent when she questions Ma June (Dale Dickey) of Ma June Sundries about the Vault tech hanging in the front window of her shop. June instantly realizes that Lucy is a vault dweller and finds it so hilarious that she demands her friend, Barv (Edythe Jackson) come get a look. The laughing and teasing are brought to an abrupt end when Lucy mentions Lee Moldaver (Sarita Choudhury). Ma practically tells Lucy the same thing that Wilzig told her earlier but with much more hostility. She even pulls a rife at one point to add emphasis.

Much to Lucy’s surprise, she runs into Wilzig outside. After exchanging just a few words, Ma arrives to whisk Wilzig inside. She is, however, interrupted by the Ghoul, whose presence puts the entire town on edge. Ma wastes little time telling the Ghoul that his kind isn’t welcome around there. He acknowledges this but says he’s going to make himself welcome. He then proceeds to ensure the entire town knows about the hefty bounty for the doctor/scientist. The faceoff eventually leads to a shootout, with the Ghoul laying waste to the majority of the citizens, including blasting off Wilzig’s leg. He even has time during the showdown to grab a snack. Ma ends up gravely wounded but is spared thanks to CX404 who nearly pays with his life.

All while the shootout was taking place, Lucy snuck back inside Ma’s shop and used the Vault-tech plans to assemble a tranquilizer gun. She shoots the Ghoul but it doesn’t appear to have any effect. It is at this time that Maximus appears out of nowhere and introduces himself as Titus. He saves Lucy’s life just as she is about to be shot by the Ghoul. He then uses this opportunity to recruit Lucy’s help. As Titus and the Ghoul battle it out, Lucy, Ma, and Barv get Wilzig safely inside where they outfit him with a new mechanical leg.

When Ma realizes she has no one she can trust to deliver WIlzig to her client, she attempts to request Lucy’s help. Lucy refuses until she learns Ma’s client is Moldaver. Ma programs the rendezvous coordinates into Lucy’s armband before leading them out through a back entrance to the shop. Maximus appears to have the upper hand in his fight with the Ghoul until a rough landing leads to a trapped foot. The Ghoul uses this to his advantage and cuts one of the pressurized cables on the suit. Maximus finds himself flying wildly through the air while Lucy and Wilzig continue on their journey.

With Maximus out of the way, the Ghoul makes his way inside Ma’s Sundries which to his surprise, is empty. This is about the time he spots CX404 outside and takes pity on him. The two appear to become traveling companions. Wilzig collapses nearly halfway through his and Lucy’s journey. As it turns out, he’s secretly taken a cyanide elixir. His and Lucy’s ensuing conversation not only reveals that there is much more to the story than he’s telling but whatever he injected into his neck at the beginning is extremely valuable.

 

Fallout Review

Not a horrible episode. I enjoy all the upbeat tunes and throwbacks to the video game. I am personally probably more biased about this episode because I’ve been a big fan of Michael Emerson since his early days on Lost and Person of Interest. He’s not the greatest talent, but there is just something naturally enigmatic about him. To be completely honest, the series is turning out to be far better than I would have anticipated.

That said, they could certainly cut down on the fluff. I know a big part of Fallout is the shockingly beautiful baron wasteland, but all that traipsing around could have been cutback and probably saved thousands in budget expenses. Nonetheless, I’d give the episode a 5 out of 10.

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