Justin Theroux, who plays Robert House in the Prime Video series Fallout, confessed that even he is uncertain about the cryptic phone call his character makes to Cooper Howard in the Season 2 finale. The suspenseful exchange has left both fans and actors puzzled as they await the storyline’s next development.
Theroux revealed during an interview with DECIDER that, despite being a key cast member, he has yet to learn the direction his character will take in Season 3. This uncertainty highlights the tightly kept secrets surrounding the show’s plot, as both viewers and actors remain in suspense.
Unraveling the Mystery of Robert House’s Enigmatic Phone Call
The last moments of Fallout’s second season ended with an enigmatic phone conversation between Robert House (Justin Theroux) and Cooper Howard (Walton Goggins). Yet, Theroux admits that he is as baffled as anyone else by the significance of this call. His curiosity about the narrative’s trajectory mirrors that of the audience eager for answers.
“As good as they are about having their lips buttoned for the fans, they’re equally like that with the actors,”
Theroux stated, emphasizing the show’s strict secrecy regarding upcoming plot developments.
The actor further elaborated on his confusion about the phone call’s purpose. He explained that when filming the scene, he questioned why House would reach out to assert his innocence.
“The phone call to me, yeah, it’s one of those things that when we shot it, I remember thinking, ‘Why is he calling him to tell him essentially, like I had nothing to do with this. It wasn’t me,’”
he told DECIDER. Theroux sees the call as a potential setup to either shift blame or to secure future assistance.
As production gears up for Season 3, Theroux hopes to discover how House’s call connects with Cooper Howard’s transformation into The Ghoul, a key plot point driving the mystery forward.
“I haven’t heard anything, phone has not rung,”
he joked, adding,
“So we’ll see what happens for House.”
Clarifying Robert House’s Complex Character and Motivations
Theroux described Robert House as a layered and elusive character with motivations distinct from many others in the series. Unlike characters who act out of fear, House operates with calculated detachment and a penchant for strategic thinking.
The actor shared that he approached House’s character as a master strategist, likening him to a chess player simultaneously managing multiple games.
“I always sort of saw him as someone like, who’s playing 12 chess games at the same time,”
Theroux said, adding that House is “pretty antiseptic” and emotionally insulated, focused rather on social engineering and manipulating people toward his larger goals.
This cerebral quality of House, paired with his controlling demeanor, sets him apart from other characters and gives him a distinctive presence on the show.
Portraying Two Versions of Robert House
Theroux’s role involves playing two distinct iterations of Robert House, one presumably a futuristic or alternate version. He aimed to present the character as a continuous entity with genuine feelings and desires, distinguishing this portrayal from other more mechanized or emoteless characters in the series.
He sought to balance emotion with cold calculation and acknowledged the complexity in his character’s dynamic with Cooper Howard, played by Walton Goggins.
“He’s capable of having feelings and desires and wants and also very aware that he’s the only person who, in his mind, doesn’t see The Ghoul as The Ghoul. He sees him as Cooper Howard and a continuation of this man,”
Theroux explained. He praised Goggins for bringing multi-dimensionality to Howard’s character, who remains connected to his former self despite his transformation.
He also acknowledged how some fans have taken to creating fan edits and shipping the relationship between House and Cooper Howard, reflecting the chemistry onscreen and viewer investment in their complex interactions.
Filling in the Gaps: Origins and Unanswered Questions
When asked if his character’s full arc was outlined from the start of Season 2, Theroux admitted that much of his performance was shaped by discovery during filming.
“They didn’t give me like ‘Here’s where he starts and here’s where he ends,’”
he shared, describing his process as feeling around
“in the dark, looking for the light switch.”
Theroux expressed interest in exploring Robert House’s backstory moving forward, embracing the idea of an origin story that could reveal what events shaped his complex worldview and motivations.
“I love an origin story much the same way I love seeing Cooper at a birthday party and a bomb going off. I’d love to see what that event is for Mr House or what that was. I would love to see his origin story, but that’s just curiosity,”
he said.
The Show’s Reflection of Contemporary Issues Through Dark Satire
Theroux observed how Fallout’s narrative parallels real-world political and social tensions. He credited the writers for their keen observation and ability to capture the atmosphere of turmoil and division prevalent today.
He noted that, like other acclaimed shows such as Watchmen, Fallout preemptively echoed societal challenges and conflicts, demonstrating how storytellers anticipate and satirize current events.
“I think good artists and good artistry can sort of predict those sorts of events just by reflecting them, you know?”
Theroux remarked.
The actor acknowledged some backlash from parts of the fan base uncomfortable with the show’s political commentary but suggested that such reactions may stem from the show’s critical perspective challenging certain worldviews.
“My guess is the people who are being vocal about it, and this is a guess, are probably being vocal about it because it’s being critical or it’s forcing the kind of critical thinking that doesn’t necessarily support their worldview. So maybe that has something to do with it,”
he said.
Availability and Viewing Options for Fallout Season 2
Season 2 of Fallout is now fully available on Prime Video, allowing fans to stream all episodes and engage with the unfolding mystery firsthand.
For viewers without a subscription, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial of Prime Video, which also includes perks such as free two-day shipping and access to exclusive deals. Following the trial, the membership fee is $14.99 per month or $139 annually.
Young adults aged 18 to 24 can access a discounted Prime membership with a six-month free trial, paying half the regular monthly price for up to six years after age verification.
Notable Reactions from Cast on the Season 2 Finale
The shock twist in the Season 2 finale has sparked reactions beyond Theroux’s own confusion. Kyle MacLachlan and Annabel O’Hagan, fellow cast members, humorously speculated about the complex personal life of Hank, another character tied to the series’ secrets.
In particular, they pondered the number of wives Hank might have, highlighting the layered and secretive relationships that add to the show’s intricate storytelling.
This playful commentary from MacLachlan and O’Hagan underscores the tangled web of character relationships and mysteries that continue to captivate the Fallout fanbase as they anticipate the next season.
