Fallout: Season 2 Episode 7 – Recap and Review

Have you been wondering about Steph’s backstory, what this season is leading to? Well, the penultimate episode of the season delivers far more than what we’ve seen for 6 episodes.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Episode 7 “The Handoff” Recap and Details

  • Director(s): Stephen Williams
  • Writer(s): Kiernan Fitzgerald
  • Public Release Date (Prime Video): January 27, 2026
  • Check out more of our “Fallout” coverage.

Over 200 Years Of Survival Ruined By Someone Who Barely Dodged Being an Inbred: Steph, Chet, Betty

There is more to Steph than meets the eye (no pun intended). We found out in a previous episode that she was Canadian and that Canada was annexed by the United States. It isn’t 100% clear whether the reasons behind that mirror what we see with the current administration, or what triggered Steph’s need to escape, but we do see what looks like a suicidal Super Mutant either aiding or trying to stop her escape.

But, despite the struggles she faced, she made it to Vegas and seemingly got on Hank’s good side to get into the vault and into the management program. This secured her future for about 200 years, but thanks to Chet, she finds herself exposed. While Betty is trying to appease Steph, give her things over from Hank’s safe, Chet discovers glasses in the garbage disposal, pushing the idea that she killed Woody, and he starts piecing together what he knows. This leads to, during the coerced marriage ceremony, him exposing her to everyone. Leading to her going on the run to who knows where.

We All Need Help Sometimes: Norm, Maximus, Thaddeus, Cooper, Claudia, Ronnie, Robert

Norm is in a dangerous situation. Ronnie is trying to convince the others to let him kill Norm, and while Claudia remains an ally, she is one woman trying to fend off what basically is a cult. So, the first chance Norm gets, he gets on a radio and contacts the frequencies he knows, asking for Lucy, his dad, or someone to help on the surface. But, with Ronnie and his minions popping up soon after, who knows if his pleas may be in vain.

As that happens, Maximus and Thaddeus make a deal with Cooper where they hand over the fusion diode, and in return, he is going to take them to Lucy. Thing is, Cooper doesn’t know where Lucy is; he is purely relying on assumptions, like where he believes his wife and kid are. In addition, he knows where NCR power armor is, and after his experience, he’d rather a member of the Brotherhood of Steel use the only one he knows in the wild.

This leads them to head to the Lucky 38, with Maximus in NCR power armor, taking on Death Claws, as Cooper goes to sneak into Robert House’s former HQ. As for Thaddeus? He is falling apart. So we watch as Maximus fights one death claw after another, and Cooper powers up Robert House’s mainframe and comes face to face with the man, well, at least a sentient, computerized version of the man.

Good People Aren’t Always Innocent: Lucy, Hank, Cooper, Congresswoman Welch, The US President

Usually, when it comes to Cooper’s past, it is all about bridging the gap between what did happen and what is. However, his past ends up actually matching up with Lucy. Yes, Cooper did get the cold fusion diode from Hank’s neck and found himself tasked with who to give it to for the safety of the world. He chose Congresswoman Welch and the US President, and we see where that went.

But, as for how this connects to the future, much less Lucy’s storyline? Well, after tricking her dad and handcuffing him to a stove, she goes to the mainframe for the mind control device and comes to see Congresswoman Welch’s head used as part of the machine. Now, how did she end up part of the mainframe? No idea. But this is a shocking thing to see and hopefully will be unraveled in the season finale.

New Characters in Episode 7

President (Clancy Brown)

The US President (Clancy Brown) – Fallout Season 2 Episode 7
  • Character Summary: Not much is known about the US President. It is made clear that, surprisingly, he has a close relationship with Congresswoman Welch, despite her opposition to corporate money. But, beyond that, we don’t even learn his last name.

Review and Commentary

On The Fence

Better Late Than Never [78/100]

I want to note, I did appreciate what was shown. We got to see Maximus take on a death claw, which was awesome. The reveal that Congresswoman was the key to the mainframe didn’t make a huge amount of sense, beyond her disposition being perfect for mental slaves, but they can work with that. The same goes for Cooper powering up Robert House, even though I was hoping for Yes Man to appear.

But, I will say, as an episode, on its own, this was awesome. However, as part of the season, it feels long overdue. Yes, there have been pops like Maximus being part of the civil war, which happened with the Brotherhood of Steel, but he also ran from that, and now we have no idea what’s happening over there. Cooper and Lucy may have seen and been around iconic places from the game, seen a few familiar faces, but it wasn’t big moments that could prolong excitement; they were little pops.

So I’m hoping with one, fully exciting episode, this isn’t purely about setting up a bombastic finale, and then when season 3 hits, we’re back to a dull until it is time to wrap things up.

Steph’s Backstory 77[/100]

To be frank, I think getting Steph’s backstory earlier in the season could have helped keep the vaults from feeling like filler. Her backstory, Betty’s, could have made these characters matter, be worth investing in, and helped you understand why they have such immense frustration with these people who grew up in the vaults. Plus, with Steph being Canadian, they could have stretched that out to give us some history, maybe explore her journey from Canada to Vegas, and I get the show has made the past almost exclusively for Cooper’s benefit, but they don’t have to stick to that. Heck, maybe they shouldn’t.

Overall

Our Overall Rating [77/100]

I’m excited for the finale, but I also have to admit, it feels like the season leaped to where it should have been, after a notable first season.

What To Check Out Next

Visit our main TV shows page! There you’ll find other shows we’ve covered or look below for more of our coverage for this series:

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.