The Most Layered Line of Fallout

[@JellothePallascat]

The fact he made the other ghoul think about a happy and warm memory before his mind forever eroded to nothing, shows this man has more heart than half the wasteland does. I don’t even think that them knowing eachother was the reason for that. Guy literally empathizes with him, understands the hell he is going through as that is a hell in Coopers future. And instead of justifying the instant killing of him via Fear of this future. Gives the guy an end he would want: as much of a peaceful death for a ghoul that can’t die in its sleep of old age.

[@IncoherentQueerScreaming]

If I remember right, in the movie scene where his character kills the guy, he objected to the portrayal and didn't like that direction for the character. His last cocky line in that scene sets up this righteous anger or vengeance in the act. I love that juxtaposition with how he handles the ghoul, a similar "Talking to a stricken person" scene, Coop the person approaches it with compassion and care, being the person he wanted his character to model. The show has so many beautiful moments of that setup and comparison and linking and modeling War never changes, and there's a line of thinking that people just need an excuse to be their worst selves, but in the end, even for people who appear at their worst, those moments of care and compassion don't change either. They're just as much a part of humanity, possibly the most core part in what even makes a person human. In a scene directly showing him facing a future he fears, where he becomes an unthinking monster, in that moment he shows his compassion strongly in the face of it

[@ezrabraman6437]

I like that in the Hollywood scene he won’t shoot the guy because of his morales and how he wants to be merciful, even in fiction, and in the wasteland he does shoot the ghoul as an act of mercy like you said, this shows that in the end he was still being merciful both ways

[@theandrogynousmisogynist]

Are you guys forgetting he ATE the guy afterwards?

[@IncoherentQueerScreaming]

@@theandrogynousmisogynist I mean, it'd be rude to just waste protein in a survival situation

[@JellothePallascat]

@@theandrogynousmisogynist well…. A fella’s gotta eat a fella.

[@empdisaster10]

I really like that you brought up the scene where Cooper kills the other ghoul because not only is he basically mercy killing him before he goes feral. But he also distracts him showing that he genuinely cares and wanted his last thoughts to be of something good and his last acts to be him laughing rather than being afraid of dying or turning into a ghoul. Its a show of true kindness and is something that if Cooper was morally gone, wouldnt have cared enough about to do since if he didnt care he would have just shot him once he realized he was too far gone

[@Creationweek]

That scene plus the scene when he didn't kill dog meat were the big signals for me that cooper was meant to be a complex protagonist. Like he uses living things as tools but he's never senselessly cruel. Well except maybe the scene where he doesn't give Lucy water.

[@holographicsupernova863]

@@Creationweek he wasnt giving her water because his is irradiated, thats why they show him filling it later

[@zashgekido5616]

And then he goes for some ass jerky

[@CollideFan1]

@@holographicsupernova863 Yep. And if she wants to drink irradiated water, it'll be her choice. He won't just offer it to her, its on her.

[@squircleworks42]

yeah I definitely agree here. I feel like there's something interesting (and possibly VERY complex) there if you compare Cooper's thoughtful mercy kill and Moldaver's choice to keep Rose alive

[@Jmaul85]

When I first watched the scene when Cooper killed the Rodger I instantly understood it for the kindness that it was. When I was a kid we read "Of Mice and Men" in school. I instantly saw the similarity

[@elfpimp1]

Same here.

[@nerderonofficial]

My friends and I literally said "Look at the rabbits, Lennie." when we watched that scene. Absolutely incredible stuff

[@funki4896]

I think a very important detail you missed is that the last time Cooper saw Wilzig, he was at least able to walk on his own and the next time he sees him is a decapitated body. He didn't know about the cyanide pill Wilzig took. He didn't know that Wilzig himself asked to decapitate him. He saw the body and thought: "Woah. So short on the surface and she already ready to kill." Or he was simply confused. Thaddeus and Maximus even were pretty sure that it must have been the Ghoul who murdered Wilzig. But Cooper knew that it had to be Lucy.

[@squircleworks42]

ooooh that's actually a really interesting theory. I'll have to chew on it for a while

[@SafeAtSpeed]

​@squircleworks42 i just wanted to say, its Coopers character that shoots the guy in the movie, not Cooper. Cooper argues with the director to try to convince him to just arrest him instead of shooting him. Pre-war Cooper almost seems anti-gun, a stark contrast to The Ghoul.

[@SwampusMcGarniglus]

@@SafeAtSpeed He was the kind of guy who was willing to die in a fire with his dog, instead of not bringing his dog into a vault. He might as well have said okey dokey about something.

[@masonjohnson-q2p]

yes. this. after my first watch of this vid I went back and rewatched the show twice. I noticed this, and am commenting such for no other reason than I am superficially proud of the very UNimportant fact that we had a similar thought for the same reason lol.

[@V.for.vendetta000]

​@@squircleworks42I am you just give it a little time

[@mikeportella2017]

You could also argue that Maldaver started both of their journeys, and changed their whole view of vault-tec also.

[@tobiwonkanogy2975]

parallels and throughlines. beautiful to see such intention again.

[@EGOR.d07]

btw how DID Maldaver survive just like the vault 31 "staff"? She couldn't have been part of vault tec when the bombs dropped, and she ain't no ghoul either... did i miss that explanation?

[@tobiwonkanogy2975]

@@EGOR.d07 we dont have that answer yet. we know she did cold fusion and opposed vault tec , we arent sure how she got to the future but cryogenics seems the best or only way.

[@dr.vikyll7466]

​@@tobiwonkanogy2975 I think she's just a long line of clones with the same memories (wild speculation)

[@Spalthersaar]

​@@dr.vikyll7466very wild.. makes No sense

[@amendopublicaccess5742]

One thing you glossed over is that Cooper was hesitant about killing the man on the western show, not that it disproves what you said but I feel an opportunity was missed to draw another through line to Lucy's character development

[@flyingpiggy1475]

Damn.

[@Sarikiscool]

great point, both lucy and cooper showed hesitancy to kill a man, (real or not). It's actually four scenes, except we reuse cooper's last scene and lucy's first scene togther.

[@juliusvicente7489]

I was searching for a comment like this from the moment she mentioned that scene! Ultimately Cooper changed his stance right there in hollywood. He killed the character for his own survival, they just fired the lead writer, why not Cooper himself too?

[@Elunev]

Great point, he does spend some time in that episode trying to get them to change the scene because it isn't "in character" for him to execute a man like that

[@spiraljumper74]

To add onto your point about Coop’s “fishing,” when he sees that his medicine was destroyed during the scuffle with the gulper, he is initially very angry and threatens Lucy at gunpoint, but then relents when she points out that given his actions, he really has no right. He seems to innately understand and accept the idea that because he did bad to her, bad was done to him. He accepts this internally even as he outwardly scoffs at Lucy’s invocation of the Golden Rule.

[@flyingpiggy1475]

Mirroring Lucy’s denial of his own codes

[@meoff7602]

LoL, umm no he just needed her in one piece to get more medicine. The better the shape, the better payout.

[@zillagrilla315]

@@meoff7602 It could be both. In order to survive the wasteland you need four things First: A sharp/quick mind to think of a solution to your current problem. Second a silver tongue to talk or barter your way out of trouble. Third being a quickdraw. The final thing you need is to understand that you may die because of a number of things. So make your peace with your actions before doing so because you don't have time for regrets. Cooper survived the Wasteland not by shooting at everything that got in his way. There were probably times where he had to think his way out of trouble. So when his Rad-X were destroy he became pissed but when look over his actions he conceded it was his fault. Then his mind thought "Hey we got a perfectly good Vault Dweller to sell to get more Rad-X." Cooper had made peace that he may die before getting to see his family again but that doesn't mean he won't fight till his last breathe.

[@dionhubertsanders3493]

I COMPLETELY MISSED THAT. Nice 👏

[@spiraljumper74]

@@meoff7602 Brother, here’s some advice for free: nobody likes an “umm, actually” clown. They don’t like em’ when they’re right, and they like em’ even less when they’re wrong. Watch the scene again, and this time pay attention. There’s thematic intent behind Lucy saying those words, Cooper visibly reacts to them. When he draws his gun on Lucy in a rage he’s not thinking rationally and he doesn’t snap out of it because he suddenly knows he needs to sell her whole. It’s like you interpreted the scene through the most robotic, functionalist perspective possible instead of someone who understands emotional and thematic context.

[@calvineagar1863]

I am ecstatic to see another literary analysist on the KZbin scene and also that I have the honor to provide your first comment. You got this!

[@squircleworks42]

*fights the urge to print out this comment and tape it to my bathroom mirror*

[@pathevermore3683]

​@squircleworks42 don't fight the inevitable.

[@anyderrosek5143]

This is the most polite way to say "first" I've ever seen

[@DualDexx]

@@squircleworks42 I'd say do it. Let it be a reminder if/when you get big that you've had supporters from the very beginning. I imagine it'd be comforting in hard times.

[@calvineagar1863]

@@anyderrosek5143 first EVER comment, I had to do something worthwhile

[@i8dacookies890]

Wow, neither of them actually grow at all? It's almost like, war, it like, you know, it's like it, it doesn't become different very much.

[@atomicalex01]

War never changes, but people do. It’s easy to forget that there used to be more to that famous line that can change the way it’s applied.

[@L16htW4rr10r]

I like to think they still grow but can keep their morality intact

[@lockdownmc8685]

John fallout: war doesn’t change

[@scoutbite4334]

@@lockdownmc8685 John War even

[@PixelWolv]

​@@lockdownmc8685lmfao is this a reference to John Halo and his less succesful counter Part Jimmy Rings?

[@benedictvannierop2901]

Haven't seen fallout. I just have an unhealthy addiction to analysis video essays

[@squircleworks42]

Always happy to be an enabler 😅

[@ThaMilkMan999]

eh tu lol

[@Zoroasterisk]

If you play New Vegas, there's essentially an infinite amount of analysis videos on the merits of its different factions, a debate that remains unsettled to this day

[@spooksbukowski63]

Well if you stay interested, welcome to the fallout party! I’m sure there’s more interesting stuff to find for you in that franchise (unpopular opinion but I think it’s actually smarter than elder scrolls)

[@anttitheinternetguy3213]

I was quite sure the series would be abismal failure. But the more i hear about it the better it sounds like. At least it is FAR better than i would have expected

[@MeNumber47]

War. War never changes

[@squircleworks42]

OMG I FORGOT ABOUT THAT QUOTE gosh DARN it that’s such a critical thing I missed

[@sleepingbee8997]

I kept waiting for that quote around 5:10 to 5:20 and was so surprised it didn’t show up.

[@fatmarlin4674]

Anyone else read that in Ron Perlmans voice or just me?

[@sterlingfelker6295]

Incredible that the show gave us two different interpretations of that line. One from Coop's wife, and Coop's 200 year reply.

[@hengineer]

Yep. This to me is the theme of Fallout, the entire "game universe". When hardcore fallout 1 fans get upset at bethesdas fallout, "there is no society", I point to this. There have been attempts at societies, like the minutemen trying to band together before the events of fallout 4, but it fails due to "war never changes"

[@taniallady]

One more thing I noticed, in shootings Ghoul mostly gives the opponent a chance to make decision. First he provokes the opponent verbally, they reach for the gun, he notices their telegraph and finishes them quicker. That's when he kills to survive.

[@nathans45]

Honestly this is one of the best Fallout character analysis vids i've seen in a long ass time.

[@michaelpacinus242]

Let me just say, this show only recently came out. So idk what your timeline is.

[@FirstLast-gk6lg]

@@michaelpacinus242 Probably a reference to the games, as KZbin has LOADS of Fallout character analysis of game characters

[@Emi-me5ut]

This was an amazing watch. It was so eloquently put and I was hooked the entire time. I feel like many video essays don't have a point or just devolve into summaries or ramblings. Which has never stopped me from watching them lol, but still. That being said, you're video was so well structured and thought provoking, I am in awe of your writing and analysis skills. Thank you!

[@Indy48778]

Still can’t believe we got so much depth in a Fallout tv show.

[@magicbrownie1357]

You could make paint drying interesting if you have good writers.

[@Tommy-qc4rj]

If only the games had this level of consideration nowerdays :)

[@Boatanga]

@@Tommy-qc4rj the last game came out seven years ago what are you talking about?

[@SSD_Penumbra]

@@Tommy-qc4rj Bro never played New Vegas.

[@Tommy-qc4rj]

@@SSD_Penumbra I have, and Fallout 2. The only two worth my time.

[@nicholasbehe6686]

Eh, Lucy killing that ghoul in the store isn’t the same as the Ghoul killing his friend. His friend was a mercy kill, Lucy’s kill is in self-defense, so morally they have different weights. I’m with you on their parallels when Lucy puts down her mom though. One thing that you get close to but don’t quite pick up is this: the shop lady and the doctor tell Lucy they don’t think she has what it takes, but they don’t try to force her to change. The Ghoul tries to push her into becoming like him. He wants her to become like him to prove to himself that he needed to become the monster he is. He sees his old self in her, the moral do-gooder, always looking out for others, ect. If Lucy is able to survive in the wasteland without becoming a monster, it just shows that he wasn’t strong enough to survive while sticking to his morals. He needs her to become a monster. Not for her survival, but for his.

[@YelMalanta]

damn honestly if that last part is right it would be so good.

[@Zoroasterisk]

Yesssss. This guy gets it. I see Coop's arc as a series of compromises of what his previous self would consider in-character for him. First is the scene of him shooting the man he would have previously only arrested. Then, he lies to and spies on his wife. As a ghoul, he gives Lucy to organ harvesters so he can re-up on Rad-x. There's NO WAY pre-fall Coop would've done that. I think the video of his not-arrest serves to remind him of who he was before he started down this path, and to hint to us that maybe he's not so far gone that he can't be more like that again.

[@michaelpacinus242]

Lucy wanted to make love to just about anyone. It’s really sad.

[@HFV_Junkyardin]

I think the important thing was Lucy seeing that sometimes killing, tho wrong on her moral level, is sometimes the only option. Kinda a dark lesson, but this is Fallout we’re talking about

[@booey6190]

i think her first ghoul kill isn't so much meant to mirror his, but to show her why he did what he did, and she uses that experiance to make the descision to mercy kill her mom later. It's not the same beats but it 100% plays into that evolution, and helps her make that decision. Super interesting point about the ghoul "needing" her to become him, never thopught about it like that.

[@matheuslima4093]

Great video! The way you pack your points in such a short duration feels super efficient for an analysis this well made. Very well structured as well. Also to add to your point on Cooper shooting both the other ghoul and the movie's villain juxtaposed on the same episode, I'd argue that it actually paints Cooper as less of a monster. Cooper shooting the villain in the movie was an action his character took because studio executives wanted to portray some sort of "no mercy for the wicked" sentiment in the movie (Cooper, of course, is reluctant to take that action even fictionally) while the shot he took on the ghoul was actually made from a place of kindness. Cooper not only chose to kill the ghoul to spare him of the fate of going feral, but he made a point of taking him back to good memories first so he would die thinking of happier times and to shoot him while in the middle of reminiscing so he wouldn't have to dread his fate. I believe there's some of that in Lucy as well, though I'm not thinking of any particular scenes right now, it's very in character for her to have kindness at heart even if she decides to do something horrible to someone. I'm not sure if this is a point they were trying to make, but a phenomenon that has been observed in real life is that times of hardship tend to make people more inclined to actively be kind and help others and an apocalypse/post-apocalypse is a very clear case of "time of hardship".

[@SharkDeschain]

Very nice for a first video! I absolutely love Cooper and Lucy's dynamic, and I very much enjoyed this analysis. While there was like one or two things I didn't quite agree on, you really hit the nail on the head with the rest of it. Also loved how you laid out the parallel scenes, and how the story beats between the two of them match. I can't wait to see how they interact in the next season, and how their story goes now they are traveling together.

[@stevenswitzer5154]

He feels different, because he too came from a civilized place. He is simply referring to how rules change when circumstance goes from civilized to survival

[@michaelpacinus242]

He feels sexually astounding

[@ilikebeingsmart]

Apt to real life too. Great observation

[@PluralOfSillyGoose]

@@michaelpacinus242what?

[@michaelpacinus242]

@@PluralOfSillyGoose it feels good 😊 the show is a metaphor

[@tsenkotsakov8451]

That was actually very good visualization of the arc ,you should continue doing this if it brings you joy 😊

[@ToyotaCorolla-en2mv]

I think you basically put into words all of the abstract feelings I had towards these scenes and both their characters after I finished the show. I had all the pieces and knew generally how they were supposed to fit, I just didn't fully put them together till now. Fantastic video, id love to see more fallout stuff from you, specifically a video on Ulysses from the Lonesome Road DLC. He's a very interesting and genuinely deep character that I feel unfairly gets written off as edgy or ignored because "mucho texto".

[@willmcgonigle3107]

Damn, I was fully prepped to binge several of your videos, only to find this is your first, I will be waiting

[@lazylazymule]

You just gained another subscriber! I waited 16 years for this show and I'm glad to see it's getting the respect it deserves.

[@bentosbuttons6457]

I really that you are providing positive feedback and literary analysis here. It is great when you can learn in a constructive way and gain a deeper appreciation for the metrology behind the story writing. Great video!

[@korymccauley3925]

Wow. Just wow. probably the best analytical video I’ve seen on this show. Amazing work

[@shakes525]

There is just something about this show that is fantastic. I haven't been this excited to hear people talk and talk to other people about a show since Lost. I'm an absolute nerd about the game, and it took me a bit to realize its far more than that. Really enjoyed the video, and if this is your very first one I'm all in for the rest!

[@siennasobott9805]

This is an amazing video, I’ve been looking for fallout content like this! Here from schnee, I’m so glad to have found you!!

[@Excelsior1937]

Here from Schnee. Love your work together and looking forward to seeing more of your own stuff!

[@I.Call.Shotgun]

Oh no I'm about to schneeze

[@runegleam]

This is such a good analogy! What an awesome video to randomly come across! I think the show uses Cooper as a ghoul to confuse our presumed definition of him as a monster. They make an effort to show him as a monster in other characters' eyes, too. He's The Ghoul, right? THE Ghoul. But he's never actually compared to other ghouls except as a matter of exclusion. He's different. He's bee a ghoul for literal centuries - but he's not feral. Even as he's laying there without his ghouljuice, he's not twitching or showing any signs of going feral in the same way. That is such pointed direction to me. I'm excited to see how it goes!

[@garyadamos]

Came from schnee, you guys cooked on that angeldust analysis. can’t wait to see more vids from u

[@CrezetheousVP]

Took the recommendation from Schnee, and I don't regret it in the slightest. Subbed!

[@comp.lex4]

7:50 Cooper's lucidity and control as a ghoul is emphasized from the moment he's dug out of the ground, with the way he spares the chicken that the other mercs brought along as a test. From minute one to minute done, Cooper's rationality and control are emphasized in contrast to his monstrous actions. So I like this point

[@sabertoothpupy7742]

Loved the connection between the different morality system. Same outcome different path, Lucy was just hesitant and empathetic while cooper was swift and respectful. Great stuff

[@griegoalex7616]

It's amazing how thought put this show is. I didn't fully realize the parallels between these two. Great video

[@andrewbolten2988]

This was really thought provoking! Great job.

[@csb78nm]

Wonderfully done analysis. Kudos! The brilliance of the writing is that it never seems forced and evolves in an organic way with both Lucy and Cooper. Another factor that underlies their arcs is PTSD ... Cooper from his service as a Marine in Alaska and 219 years in the Wasteland, and Lucy from the trials and tribulations that begin in Vault 33 and that culminates in the final scene. So, the Ghoul's line about "you're me, just give it a bit of time" resonates with any veteran, whether from Vietnam or Afghanistan.

[@F4T4L3FF3CTx78]

Glad to have clicked on this video from the youtube homepage, really nice analysis

[@janetmontalvo6944]

I was doubtful of the idea that Cooper wasn’t a fundamentally different person than the Ghoul. I thought that of course human cooper would never do the things the ghoul does, he’d never kill an innocent person or be this ruthless for survival. but then you made the parallel with them both mercy killing the feral ghouls a showing how much Lucy has adapted. And then it all clicked how similar Lucy and the Ghoul are at the end of the story how Cooper is still the Ghoul. Great Video! Thank you for showing me a deeper understanding of the story!

[@QuantiQualification]

BTW, Great first video. Great talent and lots more potential. I send my thanks to your friends for pushing you to launch! Bold!

[@hawkdov]

Really enjoyed this, the breakdowns of the dual moments were very nicely done and spelled out.

[@spiraljumper74]

Holy shit this is really your first video? It was so well edited and the delivery was really good! I’m glad I’ve been mainlining Fallout content since the show so the algorithm dropped this in my recommended.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

I saw the “I am you” as Cooper having so much derision for the optimist he used to be. He sees that in Lucy. And he simultaneously resents that she will eventually see herself in him

[@kevinjimenez6057]

The analyzing and commentary is stellar I was surprised you didn't have more subs! Good editing too, keep going!

[@Mad_Heretek]

I am SO upset that there is only one video on your channel so far, you are FAR too entertaining to have not made videos like this before 😂😂😂

[@cptchuckles4195]

i foresee great things for this channel

[@gcswift2]

THAT!!! Is how you introduce yourself. Well done. Eagerly awaiting your next essay.

[@dallasadams7039]

I still feel that Cooper is protecting himself by hiding behind his cowboy character. He is projecting this gruff exterior in order to protect the parts of himself that would look at what he is doing and be appalled at his actions. Still a very good read on both Lucy and Cooper. I subbed just in the off chance that you make more of these kinds of videos. Cheers!

[@TheOriginalAndBestTim]

I can’t tell you how deeply surprised I am that KZbin suggested a video from a new channel to me which 1) I was curious enough to watch, and 2) turned out to be an interesting video. I literally can’t recall the last time the KZbin algorithm managed to throw me something new which was good. Thanks for the video looking forward to more

[@GlennDavey]

This is really super intelligent and well observed. You’ve added to my appreciation for the show in ways I didn’t have language for. Thank you 🙏

[@citiestoash]

First video and you’ve done great. Cooper is easily my fav. You did a good job digging deeper in what can be a pretty goofy franchise. Keep going

[@jeffmiddleton8888]

Fantastic breakdown of their character. I thought it was gonna be a bit of a stretch when you came up with your monster definition, but you brought it home in the end.

[@Bangtahanan]

This is really interesting! Really flew over my head as I watched the show. I'm looking forward to your future video essays and I hope you gain more subs!

[@KidVolcano]

Coop goes out of control when he gets access to the chems stash at Super Duper mart. Which in turn sends him on the nostalgia spiral w/ the videos of his glory, and more out of control with more chems

[@QuantiQualification]

I love your transition titles! It really helps me follow your analysis.

[@QuantiQualification]

Subscribed!

[@michaelpacinus242]

I love rubbing the playground until my hair stands up

[@WhenIsItUs]

Great video! Thanks so much for your hard work! Videos like this always get the creative thoughts flowing. I like to think of these differences in reactions as reactions to two different worlds falling apart. The idea of THE world falling, and THEIR world falling apart. Did the character already have a clear dividing line between the two or were they forced to draw one after the death of the other? It seems like the two of them saw the world as one. That THEIR world was THE world, and the story is about bring shape to both as complex, separate yet interlaced entities within their perception.

[@theriveroftruth]

this was so well done!! from the organization to the cute chibi on screen-i also love the idea of pre-war cooper understanding post-war cooper’s actions and motivations and how, despite the “monstrous” appearance, his character is not a monster (or maybe will be one if necessary but not on instinct). i can’t wait to see where these characters go in season 2 😭😭😭

[@artificialoutput]

You're exposition is very nice set up for telling for the rest of the video!! :D Can't wait to see you take off! I'm sticking around! So many well wishes and good luck for you!

[@alexbuchanan7890]

Great stuff! I went to your channel to get some more and couldn’t believe this was your first video. This is the kind of unique, nuanced take that can be hard to find with such a well-discussed topic. Nice work.

[@tetheredsymphonics]

i've been waiting to see some fallout show video essays. Yippee!!!

[@lostinsalem6562]

Really good character analysis. I noticed some of the parallels between the characters, but I didn't make a conscious connection between them. What a good video hope to see more

[@sir_captainmorgan]

This is your first video? That’s crazy, awesome job and I’m so happy I saw this

[@angelascells8097]

Can't wait to see more of your work, you did a great analysis!

[@thomasneal9628]

Fantastic video, incredible script. Keep it up!!

[@behi667]

This has to be the best first video from anyone on this damn website. Loved the perspective, loved the analysis, loved the presentation. I'm absolutely sticking for more. GO SQUIRCLE GO!

[@stephencowie696]

I think people would love to see a open discussion between you Schnee and other contributors... i think seeing you all explore these ideas would be just as interesting as your analysis

[@mercon1337]

You have a lot of talent, please do more with this channel… I’d love it

[@joshuameadus7861]

Oho man, i see this going places. Cant wait to see what you make next Squircle!

[@parkerweech3125]

Fantastic analysis. Please keep making content. This was really well thought out and insightful

[@ChicoJays]

This was a fantastic breakdown holy moly

[@katiedavis512]

Super impressed with this analysis- and can’t believe this is your first video! Wow! Instantly subbed 💗

[@TheDragon1276]

I'd still argue Cooper is a Monster, at least Morally. Pre-War he not only was a famous actor and a Cowboy, but he was also an experienced Veteran from the Alaskan Anchorage. He fought to defend his country and the resources it needed. He even gave the West-Tek guy crap for the flaws in the early T-45 PA designs that cost lives on the battlefield. All this makes the moment when learning his wife was willing to bomb his country was he so horrified. Where as in the wasteland he's a Bounty Hunter. During his introduction as a Ghoul he literally says he does it for sport rather than caps. He was willing to blast off his target's leg and shot up the whole town just to complete the contract. Even going as far to joke to a guy whose neck he shot out when he told him he could've overed him a tato had he not done so. Even with Lucy he cut off her finger and was willing to sell her to have her organs harvested in return for his anti-feral meds. So yeah I'd say family man Coop would very much be horrified by the man he'd become once his whole world burned down-literally.

[@elinelai1891]

It might be the biggest crackpipe theory out there BUT I noticed this one more detail to the Lucy/Cooper duality. Cooper took Lucy's finger and used it as a replacement for his missing finger, trigger finger no less. This might indicate some change to his character cause now he has a part of Lucy's righteousness in this gun-shooting digit of his. At the end the two of them kinda partnered up while before that Cooper used her and Lucy didn't want to do anything with him

[@squircleworks42]

yeah the finger swap ALONE deserves its own video

[@dreastish]

Make sure you point out how Lucy, a trained ethicist (and historian to boot) quoting Christ’s improvement to Hammurabi’s code, is shown to be a judgmental hypocrite by Cooper applying Hammurabi directly… and she’s straight shocked that he wins that argument, all of which happens without a word spoken (before he gloats about it). There’s a reason she’s basically his disciple by the end of the season.

[@isaacsanders7119]

Curious to see where they take their moral compass next season. Great video!

[@michaelpacinus242]

They will probably have fun

[@new3sc]

Loved your analysis!!! Keep it going!

[@maus0liam]

my take on cooper shooting rodger in the head being echoed by him watching himself shoot jorge in the head, tells the audience that he hasnt made the decision to do the things he does, but his hand has been forced to pull the trigger. much like the director forcing him to give in to his morals and be a killer, the apocalypse has forced him to become a killer. he still has his morals deep down. its just the circumstances do not allow him to act as the "good" guy.

[@austinmiles6223]

That’s a really neat interpretation, thank you for sharing

[@glennchartrand5411]

I see it more as him realizing how much he has changed. He went from being reluctant to portray a character who would kill a villain , to being a man who would kill (and eat) a friend when it was necessary.

[@carpevinum8645]

Was going to say this too

[@rachellbc]

This!

[@citiestoash]

I don’t buy it personally. Yeah if we look at cooper shooting a ghoul who was well on his way to be feral. He ain’t that bad. It was a mercy kill and a survival measure. However not long after he’s trying to sell arguably the most moral person in the wasteland for organ harvesting. A pretty dark extreme for some meds. Considering we all know he could just as easily walk in there and take the place over without any real effort.

[@spoonje-dm2ow]

Really loved this video! I took it very simply as he knows her father, he's a monster, so like cooper she just hasn't realised she is one until put in the right circumstance.

[@chrisyaworski2080]

I Love analysis like this. I would argue a different way about if cooper is warped from his past self. He is warped now, and desperately clings to whats left of his humanity. He is past the man he was pre fallout. But he also began changing pre fallout. Instead of putting his foot down and forcing the story to arrest the bad guy he lets himself be talked into the killing scene. Add years of fallout and now killing isnt much of a budge for him. Hes already been pushed to it over and over and over again. And when pushed he will change. Cut to present. Remember filly just tried to stop him from taking the professor. He didnt have anything against filly. He just shot them down because so many people have tried to stop him from what he believes is good or what he needs to do to live and killing is now his second nature. A lot of his actions after can be read from that too. People keep getting in the way whether they want to or not and depending on how much theyre out to hurt him he can go a lot further than pre fallout cooper can. Prewar cooper would never imagine feeding someone like lucy to the wolves in order to get his needs. Postwar cooper does it easily because hes been pushed to those ends before. Its just a little easier now. His humanity is the only thing making him go out of his way to make sure she lives through being monster bait. I also see lucy's second interaction with feral ghouls being her learning the lesson. I don't see it as a "no im not as cruel as you. I did it another way." when she returns. More of a "i get it now, you were right. But I dont need to treat others as horribly as you do. I choose the high ground and that means being good even to you." This lesson being learned allows her to mercy kill at the end as she knows theres nothing left for her to reach out to. If she still needed to learn that after the store, she wouldve looked for any other way considering who it was. But she didnt need to cause she learned it at the store. She knows theres nothing left. Its not the unthinkable or the last resort. Its the only solution. Tldr: You've got another subscriber. Keep up the good work.

[@cyberus1438]

One thing that I would point out that it seems like not many do, Cooper is a combat veteran. The idea of killing someone was not alien to him before any scene in the show

[@neapolitan_pyro5620]

For a first video, this is fan fuckin-tastic. And the analysis and writing. AMAZING

[@jusskrey]

Really great analysis! Best of luck on future videos!!

[@personatthebay]

Cooper is our link to the pre war and all those cryo podded vault tec employees, i think thats why he has so much flashbacks and scenes from the past

[@deneb829]

This is the best analysis of the Fallout TV series that I've seen so far.

[@schnee1]

Ok now I have to know how you would characterize the show's competing moral system. Moldaver kept the mom alive as a ghoul, what's going on there? 🧐(And does that connect with her whole electricity plan?)

[@GrayVBoat]

That's a really good question. I'd also like to know what's up with episode 1. Like, if Moldaver is supposedly trying to help people, why does she wreak such havoc on vault 33? Couldn't she have just stuck up the place and taken what she came for instead of trying to massacre everyone? Did she hate vaults and the overseers from 31 so much that she was willing to kill people for seemingly no functional reason whatsoever? Obviously there's some sort of "show these sheltered, privileged fools what the real world is like" energy to that, but for someone who explicitly works to benefit the community over the individual, it seems impractical to both end lives that you know next to nothing about - lives that could be taught differently and that could help rebuild - and to risk the lives of your own community in such a violent display. I have to wonder, is there a flaw in the writing there? Is Moldaver just that vindictive? Is there some third thing I'm not considering? Squircle had some interesting points in this video, and I'd love to hear what they have to say about all that (as well as other parts of Fallout, of course).

[@squircleworks42]

Yeeeeaaah Moldaver definitely deserves her own video. I think that the first scene where she gives an ultimatum to Maclean back in the vault (Lucy vs everyone else) (that also isn’t actually an ultimatum??) is probably the key to figuring out what her character is supposed to be, but I haven’t tackled it yet

[@durttheelder4035]

@@squircleworks42 I was so confused by that "choose but actually I'm not going to kill any of them" either that's a plot hole or somehow moldaver meant something else with "choose" that we just assumed meant choose who dies because that's what it means 9 times out of 10

[@PunkFluff]

Mom was kept alive because they were "roommates"

[@squircleworks42]

@@PunkFluff oh my god they were roommates

[@HashPapi]

First video and you come out with a banger of an explanation that I never once thought about? Insane. Can't wait to see what you got coming next!

[@Jesse-fd5bv]

nice video, the mic and editing threw me back to early windowsmoviemaker youtube

[@Evosti]

This video was just amazing !! Please keep it up, I enjoyed your analysis very much and the way that you presented it was something else, I also love your character guiding me through it all, just bravo, well done and please make more for me to watch !!!!

[@Giosuke_Giogashikata]

You said this was your first video? If yes, Excellent work! Your voice is wonderful for this type of content, and your pacing of speech was superb as well. The one comment I can make is merely a personal preference, that being the presence of small amounts of humor. Good humor comes from a place of comfort, so take your time and don’t rush it if you wish to add humor to your analyses.

[@huskinater]

oooh, coming across a new video essay channel that actually has interesting thoughts to say and isn't just a lazy content recap machine. And this is your first video from just a few days ago! I will watch your career with great interest. I do enjoy the cute drawn character between scenes. I'm reminded of Noralities in-betweens.

[@kriegenjoyer6913]

Amazing writing on your part!

[@japaroads]

This was really nice! Thanks for the video. I agree with your assessments, though I don’t think I would’ve reached them on my own. Good video!

[@eeveegee666]

Fantastic vidya! Gods, I was convinced that Fallout was unadaptable, I was over encumbered with doubt that this series would get anywhere close to good. I was thoroughly flabbergasted by the detailed faithfulness, the character depth, the accessibility for non fans, and more than all of those- the true to form Fallout tone. I’ve been gushing about it to anyone who’ll listen, because I swear I didn’t think it was possible to do it right. The choice to depict every character and group clearly having to make hard decisions all the time, and developing their own sense of morality based on that reality. But also being deliciously subtle about the moral hypocrisy inherent in people in general. Especially in Hank and Moldavar. Hank choosing to save his daughter over multiple vault dwellers, one life over many. It’s totally understandable to most viewers in the moment, even though the moral math is wrong. Moldavar was clearly in love with Rose, and yet kept her around even after she went feral. It’s the kind of cruelty that love makes people capable of. Hank’s line about Moldavar being a murderer ‘Just like him’ recognizing that she is just as capable of atrocity to serve her own values as he is. And also Thaddeus with his whole ‘bullying out of self preservation’ thing. Centering the show on the moral decisions, was such a baller move! “Everybody wants to save the world, they just disagree on how.” Sorry for the paragraph, so excited for your next video now, so stick around! ❤

[@masonjohnson-q2p]

girl this is your first video?!!!! you put everything into words that I'm too lazy to actually sit down and come to the concious conclusion of. Everything you said had resonated with me on my first watch more subconciously, though I did actively notice some of the things you said. specifically the torture speech when cooper used lucy for bait. However you pointed out so many awesome things that I had only really noticed in the back of my mind. This analysis of a single line in the show has legitimately set concrete over the idea that this is just an objectively good TV show. thank you and please continue to offer your insight. After this video i rewatched the show twice. you rock.

[@sir_captainmorgan]

I like how you frame this, as both characters of Lucy and coop commit some fairly monstrous acts, with coop committing far more, but neither really commit those acts as monsters as you describe. And I look forward to seeing how this framework adjusts as we move into season 2

[@michaelsoper98]

Gotta disagree with you and the video, Cooper is literally a renowned bounty hunter that’s so useful; but dangerous that he’s gotta be kept under ground in between high value targets. That’s quite literally a monster.

[@sir_captainmorgan]

@@michaelsoper98 yea that’s fair, dude definitely is long gone and if I’m looking at it without the context of his background then what you’re saying makes sense. But as viewers we have that context, and because of that we get see the sides that are sympathetic, the creators I think are trying to show us that while they commit these acts that are monstrous, they aren’t entirely monsters

[@michaelsoper98]

@@sir_captainmorgan I agree entirely; he’s a monster but he’s not necessarily monstrous. He was forced into being this way if he wanted to survive and he was wronged by the one he was supposed to trust the most.

[@garettjohnson6978]

Get this woman on Film Theory because this is amazing!! No joke I found myself going through the arc in my head, comparing Lucy to Cooper right after your stated Cooper's arc. "Okay, let’s see, strong family, yup, gets curious, aka leaves the vault, does what's necessary aka the head and all that, nuclear thing with family- OH MY GOD!!!" The realization was big, but my reaction to thw realization was bigger 🤣. Very well done, miss! I believe you’ve earned another subscriber. Just noticed you don’t have any other vids on your channel, but I encourage you to continue reviewing the show with your ideas!

[@wubz508]

9:33 my only disagreement would be here at this point, where in the movie set cooper asks not to shoot the man and is directed to do so. whereas post apocalyptic cooper pulls the trigger with no outside actors pushing him to do so. I felt that this was a huge indicator that cooper was a more moral man pre apocalypse. The rest of this video was great tho excited to see you grow!

[@ryan_macleod]

Wow brilliant work! I totally missed some of the hidden layers of this show, like the point made at 9:30 about Cooper starting and ending the episode shooting someone in the head. Makes me want to rewatch now.

[@songsayswhat]

The difference in reasoning with Roger and Jorge is that Cooper shoots Roger to put him out of his misery. Roger is going to go feral (already is in the throes) and there is nothing that can stop it. He puts him out of his misery. He even has him remember a happy moment just before doing so. Cooper originally protests about shooting Jorge because it's not what his character--his image--would do. We know the movie ends this way, but did Cooper stick to his guns and they edited that in later? I wonder about that. Or maybe he gave in because he was under contract and had no choice. He's Fallout's version of Omar: "A ghoul''s got to have a code." I think Cooper somewhere follows his own code. We just don't know what it is just yet.

[@TheRodentMastermind]

I have to agree, there is a code. He could have just walked into that supermarket and taken those chems, there is nothing they could have done to stop him, but traded for them. He still believes in working for things rather than taking them.

[@flabbytabby101]

This is a wonderful analysis and a fantastic way to start your KZbin career! Hopefully you see lots of success going forward

[@Aerie925]

When the Coop tells Lucy that he’s her, I knew that he meant that he was once as idealistic as she is, but living in the wasteland will eat at your soul.

[@unikeko96]

I can relate

[@knitwitchpgh]

Second watch through the realization that they both have vault tech betrayals really solidified it. That even the best of us fall

[@michaelpacinus242]

When coop eats that guy’s ass, it was awesome

[@ItCameFromTheSkyBeLo]

I think its deeper than that. Cooper is still Idealistic. But in a systemic structure that literally does not give him the options he wants to take. So he winds up choosing to make worse decisions. And becomes numb to it. The way most people become numb to the shitty decisions out own system compels us to accept as good.

[@mehodrums]

Holy crap this is a FANTASTIC first video essay..! 🤯🤯 it’s only up from here! So proud to be amongst the first batch of followers 🎉