Fallout's Thaddeus Transformation: Ghoul or F.E.V. Mutation?
Warning: this article contains spoilers for Fallout season 1 and 2.
Popular Fallout character Thaddeus, initially believed to be transforming into a ghoul, may be undergoing a far more sinister mutation linked to the Forced Evolutionary Virus (F.E.V.), according to fan theories. As Prime Video's hit live-action adaptation approaches its second season finale next week, the penultimate episode has sparked intense speculation about his fate and potential connections to Lucy's vault.
What Is Thaddeus Turning Into?
At the end of season one, Thaddeus, a former member of the Brotherhood of Steel, exchanged a power core for a mysterious concoction from a snake oil salesman to heal a crushed foot injury inflicted by Maximus. The serum caused rapid healing, and later, he survived a bolt to the neck, leading him to assume he was becoming a ghoul. In season two, he appeared more ghoul-like but retained his nose and cared for children, including ghouls.
However, episode 7 introduces alarming developments. Thaddeus expresses anxiety about his nose not falling off and reveals an extra mouth with sharp teeth growing on his shoulder. When he asks The Ghoul if this is normal, the response is hesitant. During a battle with Deathclaws on the Las Vegas strip, one of Thaddeus's arms falls off, fueling theories that he is not ghoulifying but mutating due to F.E.V. exposure.
Fan Theories and F.E.V. Connections
Online discussions, particularly on the Fallout series subreddit, suggest Thaddeus was dosed with F.E.V., potentially turning him into a Centaur. As one fan theorised: "I'm starting to think the Snake Oil Salesman dosed Thaddeus with F.E.V. The gnarly mouth on his shoulder, and the fact that his arm just falls clean off, makes me wonder if he isn’t mutating into a Centaur."
F.E.V. has been referenced in the series when Norm discovers files on the Forced Evolutionary Virus while investigating Vault-Tec offices. In the Fallout games, Centaurs are mutated hybrid creatures created from F.E.V. experimentation, known for their malformed legs. Another fan commented: "I think he is becoming a Centaur, because there is not much other mutants that... are missing arms... I think they are overwriting the old lore that Centaur victims were dipped in a vat with other animals, and now Centaurs can be created from normal humans alone."
Alternatively, some believe Thaddeus could become a super mutant, similar to the character played by Ron Perlman in a previous episode. This twist would add a new dimension to the series while retaining a beloved character and actor.
Implications for the Series and Lucy's Vault
Thaddeus's potential mutation raises questions about the broader narrative, including possible links to Lucy's vault. As the series nears its finale, viewers are eager to see how this plotline unfolds and whether it will reveal deeper secrets about Vault-Tec's experiments. The ambiguity surrounding his transformation keeps fans engaged, debating whether he will emerge as a Centaur, super mutant, or something entirely unexpected.
Fallout continues to stream on Prime Video, with the second season finale set to release next week, promising to address these mysteries and more.
