Fallout’s Dogmeat Is A Good Boy, But I’m Disappointed In How The Show Used Him

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers to Prime Video’s Fallout.

Prime Video’s Fallout made a strong, positive impression on critics and viewers for many reasons, but its handling of Dogmeat could have been significantly better. Although Prime Video’s Fallout makes changes to the video games, the majority of them work incredibly well for the live-action adaptation’s vision. Furthermore, Fallout season 2 can answer many questions that the first season set up, which makes the anticipation for a continuation in the live-action series’ legacy even more exciting. However, Dogmeat needs to be improved if the live-action adaptation receives another season.

Although updates for Fallout season 2 have yet to confirm if Lucy, Dogmeat, & Co. will hit the small screen again, it would present the perfect opportunity to improve Dogmeat’s characterization. While his inclusion in Fallout demonstrated that Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy adhered to as much accuracy as possible, Dogmeat’s reduced role also left much to be desired for viewers familiar with the video game franchise. With the sheer number of video games and supplemental material at Prime Video’s disposal, there are a number of ways to rectify season 1’s Dogmeat mistakes.

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Fallout’s Version Of Dogmeat Was Fun, But It Could Have Been Better

Dogmeat Was Relegated To A Mere Sidekick in Prime Video’s Fallout

Although Dogmeat had a strong presence in Fallout, his role was reduced to him merely being a companion. Additionally, Dogmeat followed anyone who had Wilzig’s head, which made his impact feel even less significant in the games. Dogmeat’s video game version is so beloved because he has a significant amount of charm and character. While he is a loyal companion in the video games, he demonstrates the ability to assist the player in combat, use creative ways to locate items and/or people that the protagonist might not be aware of, and is a true friend to the Vault dweller.

In Prime Video’s Fallout, Dogmeat doesn’t demonstrate the same loyalty as he does in the video games. He sticks with Wilzig because he was the one who trained him and prepared him for the wasteland. As a result, he even sustains a life-threatening attack from The Ghoul in an act of bravery. However, he ends up becoming The Ghoul’s companion after he uses a stimpack to heal him, which doesn’t really make a lot of sense. Although he basically follows whoever around without a proper sense of purpose, the video games could make his season 2 appearance better.

How Fallout Season 2 Can Make Dogmeat A Real Sidekick

Fallout Season 2 Could Further Humanize The Characters Through Their Close Relationship With Dogmeat

Fallout’s second season would have to choose between making Dogmeat loyal to Lucy or to The Ghoul, since they’ve both displayed an affinity for him. If they go with Lucy, it would resemble the video games more closely, as Dogmeat is the first and last companion that the Vault dwellers have. If they choose The Ghoul, it could be an excellent way to further develop his character beyond that of an intimidating creature with a chip on his shoulder. Furthermore, either character could use Dogmeat in Fallout for more specialized tasks, like looking for bottle caps or fighting stronger enemies.

Fallout

Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Fallout is a drama series set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. The series follows the survivors of the human race in an alternate 1950s timeline, where nuclear war laid waste to the Earth, spawning large irradiated areas and mutated humans who now roam the planet.

Cast

Walton Goggins , Ella Purnell , Kyle MacLachlan , Xelia Mendes-Jones , Aaron Moten

Release Date

April 10, 2024

Seasons

1