Fallout Season 2 Episode 7 Review: “The Handoff” Explained

Fallout Season 2 Episode 7 is absolutely packed with wild moments, massive reveals, and game-changing Easter eggs straight from the Fallout universe. You can really feel how close we are to the finale because every storyline is spiraling into chaos.

The episode, fittingly titled “The Handoff,” revolves around several huge exchanges — both in the past and present — that reshape everything we thought we knew about Cold Fusion, Vault-Tec, and the Enclave.

Let’s break down everything that happened.

Before we continue, don't miss out on reading:

1. Fallout Season 2 Episode 1 Review
2. Fallout Season 2 Episode 2 Review
3. Fallout Season 2 Episode 3 Review
4. Fallout Season 2 Episode 4 Review
5. Fallout Season 2 Episode 5 Review
6. Fallout Season 2 Episode 6 Review

The Meaning Behind “The Handoff”

The title works on multiple levels.

In the flashbacks, we see Cooper handing Cold Fusion over to the U.S. President just before the bombs dropped — a massive cameo played by Clancy Brown. This moment strongly hints that both the President and Congressman Welch are tied to the Enclave.

In the present day, Maximus hands Cold Fusion to Cooper so he can deliver it to Mr. House at the Lucky 38 casino, hoping House’s technology can help rescue Lucy.

Meanwhile, inside the Vaults, Betty gives Hank’s secret keepsake box to Steph in exchange for half of Vault 32’s water supply — another handoff that fuels growing tension between the Vaults.

Every transfer in this episode comes with huge consequences.

Steph’s Origin Story and the Resource Wars

One of the biggest surprises of the episode is Steph’s heartbreaking backstory.

The episode opens with her PTSD flashback, revealing that she’s originally from Uranium City, Canada, during the Resource Wars — the global conflict that happened before Cold Fusion was discovered.

Her mother, played by Natasha Henstridge in a major cameo, escapes an internment camp with Steph but eventually dies, telling her to flee to America and survive at any cost.

From that moment on, Steph vows to do whatever it takes — lie, steal, kill — just to stay alive.

This explains everything about her ruthless behavior throughout the season.

How Steph Manipulated Her Way Into Vault-Tec

Through flashbacks in New Vegas, we learn how Steph crossed paths with Cooper at the Lucky 38 casino.

Using sheer determination and deception, she convinces Hank to help her land a job at Vault-Tec. From there, her ferocity helps her rise through the ranks, eventually landing her in Vault 31 as part of Bud’s secret plan.

Betty later reveals she uncovered Steph’s secrets after waking from cryo sleep — including the truth about her past.

The big twist?

Steph isn’t loyal to Vault-Tec or the Enclave’s world domination plans.

She’s only loyal to survival.

Everything she’s doing — pushing Vault 32 and Vault 33 toward conflict — is just about protecting herself.

Lucy Starts Playing Hank at His Own Game

Back in the present, Hank’s chipped workers are building more mind-control chips.

Lucy quickly realizes what’s happening and begins manipulating Hank by pretending to agree with his vision.

When Hank says, “Perfect is the enemy of good,” he explains how even though his methods aren’t ideal, they’re supposedly improving the world.

But in reality, Lucy is letting him talk himself into revealing everything.

Through a montage of “planning,” Hank unknowingly explains:

• Where the mainframe is
• How the chip system works
• How to access the basement

The real shock comes when Lucy later discovers the system is powered by Congressman Welch’s head in a jar, wearing one of Mr. House’s helmets — confirming the Enclave’s involvement in the global mind control plot.

Cooper, Maximus, and Thaddeus Head to the NCR Base

Meanwhile, Cooper, Maximus, and Thaddeus arrive at an NCR base with Cold Fusion.

Thaddeus tries bonding with Cooper over being ghouls — but the episode heavily hints that Thaddeus isn’t becoming a ghoul at all.

His arm literally falls off.

Between that and the strange mutations, it’s strongly implied he’s transforming into a centaur, a horrifying Fallout creature from the games.

Cooper lays out his plan:

• Deliver Cold Fusion to Mr. House
• Power up House’s tech
• Use it to rescue his wife and daughter

He also reveals he knew Maximus had Cold Fusion the whole time and always intended Lucy to ultimately decide its fate.

The episode’s central “handoff” happens here — Maximus gives Cold Fusion to Cooper in exchange for help getting Lucy back.

More Enclave Clues in the New Vegas Flashbacks

The flashbacks reveal that Cooper unknowingly handed Cold Fusion to the Enclave through the President and Welch.

Based on Fallout lore, the President was already secretly Enclave before taking office.

The Enclave had been pulling strings behind Vault-Tec the entire time, ensuring Cold Fusion would end up in Las Vegas — and ultimately in their hands.

Mr. House had no idea who the mysterious third faction was back then.

Now that mystery is about to be solved.

Norm’s Vault-Tec Investigation Continues

Back at Vault-Tec headquarters, Norm runs into pure bureaucratic madness.

The Vault 31 employees literally debate whether the manual allows them to kill him.

Classic Fallout dark humor.

Claudia officially sides with Norm and helps him escape — though they’re quickly cornered again.

Still, it feels clear Norm’s storyline will eventually reconnect with Lucy’s in the finale.

Vault 33 Easter Eggs and Rising Tensions

Inside Vault 33, the notice board is filled with fun game references:

Dean’s Electronics manual (boosts repair skill in the games)

Ninja perk flyer

Combat bonuses tied to Chet

Chet later finds Woody’s glasses in the sink, implying Steph may have killed him.

Steph claims Woody was sent to Vault 31 — but we already know that’s a lie.

No body has been shown yet, so a surprise reveal could still be coming.

The episode works hard to make Steph look terrible — but also human — reminding us everything she’s done is about survival, not evil ambition.

The Deathclaw Battle and Mr. House’s Return

In Freeside, Cooper, Maximus, and Thaddeus roll in like gunslingers in full NCR armor.

The townspeople cheer — hoping they’ll finally deal with the Deathclaws.

What follows is a brutal gladiator-style fight straight out of the games.

Maximus unloads everything he has while Cooper makes a desperate run to the Lucky 38.

Thaddeus’ arm falling off again basically confirms something monstrous is happening to him.

Just as things look hopeless, Cooper activates Mr. House using Cold Fusion.

Inside the Lucky 38, House’s digital form reappears — looking exactly like his video game version.

Power is finally back online.

The Enclave’s World Control Plan Revealed

Lucy reaches the basement and uncovers the horrifying truth.

The Enclave’s plan wasn’t just about Cold Fusion.

They’ve been working toward chipping the entire world and controlling humanity through mind-control tech.

Hank was communicating directly with them, hoping for a promotion within their ranks.

Vault-Tec was just a puppet.

Everything connects back to the Enclave.

What This Sets Up for the Fallout Season 2 Finale

With Cold Fusion now powering Mr. House, several massive questions loom:

• Will Mr. House help Cooper fight the Enclave?
• Will he become an ally — or another threat?
• What happens to Steph and the Vault civil war?
• Is Thaddeus truly becoming a centaur?

The episode also hints at future Fallout villains, including possible setups for John Henry Eden, the Enclave’s AI president from the games.

It feels clear that Season 3 is being positioned as a full-scale Enclave storyline.

Final Thoughts on Episode 7

Fallout Season 2 Episode 7 is doing exactly what a penultimate episode should do:

• Revealing the true villains
• Connecting past and present
• Raising the stakes for every character

Between Cold Fusion’s true purpose, Mr. House’s return, and the Enclave stepping into the spotlight, the finale is shaping up to be massive.