Warning: Spoilers for Fallout season 1

The setup for Fallout’s next story could finally force a major missing faction out of hiding in season 2. Over the course of the show’s first season, Prime Video’s series brought in a handful of recognizable factions from the world of Fallout, with the Brotherhood of Steel and the New California Republic both receiving substantial roles. But given the scope of the franchise, there’s still plenty of room for more to join the fold in Fallout season 2 and beyond.

Multiple factions have yet to be a factor in the stories of Lucy, Walton Goggins’ The Ghoul, Maximus, and Norm. As it stands, there have been no confirmed sightings of Caesar’s Legion, the Khans, the Followers of the Apocalypse, and a number of other notable factions. For some of these, their absences can be attributed to their placement on the Fallout map and relevance to the plot. One, however, would feel like an appropriate fit for the story despite not appearing. In fact, they’re most likely even in the general area where Fallout is set. While they’ve thus far avoided the spotlight, the events of Fallout season 1’s ending threaten to change that.

Why The Followers Of Apocalypse Are Probably Closer Than Expected In Fallout Season 1

Among the many factions roaming Fallout’s apocalypse is the Followers of the Apocalypse, a group composed of people determined to make the Wasteland a better place. The Followers made their debut in the first Fallout game, which is set in southern California, not unlike Prime Video’s show. Most Fallout installments explore separate locations in the franchise, whereas the show has elected to revisit a familiar setting. The game and season 1 even share Shady Sands as a crucial stop in the main characters’ journey. Because Fallout has returned to its original stomping ground, it’s not unfeasible to imagine other key elements of the game reappearing.

Granted, the show is set much further up the Fallout timeline than the game, which took place in 2161. But while over 100 years have passed since the player’s exploits in the region, there’s little doubt that the Followers of the Apocalypse still exist. After all, they made an appearance in Fallout: New Vegas, which takes place just 20 years before the show. So unless the Followers collectively moved on from the Boneyard completely, there should be some in proximity to the show’s main characters. The lack of law and order in Filly strengthens that possibility, as it’s just the kind of place where the Followers would feel needed.

Why The Followers Of The Apocalypse Could Appear In Fallout Season 2

The Followers Make Perfect Sense For Fallout’s Show

The Followers are generally considered to be kind and good-natured, as their goals don’t involve seizing power or acquiring wealth. As a result, they don’t seek out conflict and spend most of their time and resources helping those whose lives are in danger. But though this lifestyle calls for a mostly pacifistic approach, they don’t have strict rules against violence, and will rise up against oppressive forces when needed. It’s partially for that reason that they should be expected to rise up in Fallout season 2. The Fallout season 1 finale clearly set up the Brotherhood of Steel to have a sinister presence in the show for the foreseeable future.

Although the Brotherhood of Steel isn’t necessarily defined as a villainous organization in Fallout, they’re certainly capable of filling that role, depending on the chapter in question. The one in Fallout’s show, for instance, do look to be villains when looking at how they ruthlessly decimated Moldaver’s forces in pursuit of the cold fusion technology. From the looks of things, they’re now in position to take take control of the Boneyard in Fallout season 2. Such a move is unlikely to be easily accepted by other nearby factions, which should include the Followers of the Apocalypse. On account of their principles, the Followers should be one of the first to stand up to the Brotherhood if they start enforcing their ways on the people in the area.

How The Followers Of The Apocalypse Could Impact Season 2’s Brotherhood Of Steel Story

The Followers Could Be Crucial To What Comes Next For Maximus

Based on their massive ideological differences, exploring a conflict between the Brotherhood of Steel and the Followers of the Apocalypse would be a fitting direction for the series to take when it continues Maximus’ arc. The Followers’ charitable nature contrasts greatly with the modus operandi of the Brotherhood, who don’t believe in sharing technology or information, regardless of the help their actions could provide. Diving into the views of the Followers and juxtaposing them with the Brotherhood could be an interesting way to evolve Maximus’ worsening opinion of the group he serves.

Depending on what ultimately happens with the Brotherhood’s arc, the Followers could become valuable allies. If Lucy and Walton Goggins’ The Ghoul get swept into a fight with the Brotherhood, they could find themselves relying on them for assistance. As noted above, the Followers aren’t particularly known for fighting, but they do count skilled physicians among their ranks, so offering help in that capacity could be how they wind up contributing to an effort to oppose the Brotherhood in Fallout season 2. With that in mind, it’s not hard to imagine a member of the Follower becoming a supporting character that the characters can turn to when they need guidance or medical assistance.

The Followers Of The Apocalypse Could Also Be In New Vegas

The Followers Have Two Known Locations In Fallout’s World

Interestingly, Fallout season 2 has a second way it could use the Followers of the Apocalypse, which could serve as a way to streamline its multiple narratives. Aside from the first game, the Followers only made one other franchise appearance, which was in the aforementioned Fallout: New Vegas. The game established that even though they were originally set up as a southern California-based region, the Followers do have members elsewhere, such as New Vegas. They opened a medical clinic in the city and could have set up other operations in the area since Fallout: New Vegas ended.

If the shot of New Vegas in the Fallout season 1 finale is any indication, the city is in disrepair. If that truly is the case, the charitable practices of the Followers of the Apocalypse could be needed there as well. Rebuilding efforts and dealing with the aftermath of whatever happened to New Vegas could enable the Followers to make an impact across multiple Fallout storylines, which could converge before the end of the season.