The third episode of Fallout Season 2 on Prime Video has sparked a flurry of searches from viewers, left puzzled by two specific historical terms used in pivotal scenes. The series, whose premiere was brought forward due to high anticipation, continues to drop new episodes weekly.
What Does 'Pinko' Mean in Fallout?
In a crucial scene set in a public toilet, the character Robert House, played by Justin Theroux, confronts Walton Goggins' Cooper Howard. House disparages the achievements of Cooper's fellow veteran before pointedly asking if Cooper is aware the man is a 'pinko'. He then repeats the term, questioning Cooper directly about his own potential leanings.
The term 'pinko' is a political slur with roots in the American Red Scare of the 1940s and 1950s. It describes someone who shows sympathy towards communist ideologies, without necessarily being a formal member of the Communist Party. The word derives from the idea of pink being a lighter, less committed shade of red, the colour traditionally associated with communism.
The 'Prima Noctis' Reference Explained
Another term causing confusion is 'prima noctis', used by Macaulay Culkin's character in a negotiation with Lucy. Her horrified reaction provides a clue, but the phrase's meaning is darkly historical.
Translating from Latin as 'first night', it refers to the alleged medieval custom known as 'droit du seigneur' or 'the right of the Lord'. This was a supposed legal right in feudal Europe that permitted a lord to have sexual relations with a female subject, particularly on her wedding night. Historians note there is scant evidence the practice was ever widespread or legally codified.
Why These Terms Matter in Fallout's World
The use of such dated and politically charged language is a hallmark of the Fallout universe, which builds its alternate history on the cultural and political anxieties of mid-20th century America. The term 'pinko' directly taps into the Cold War paranoia that ultimately led to the game's Great War. Meanwhile, 'prima noctis' underscores the brutal, feudal power dynamics that can emerge in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, mirroring the regression of society.
The episode, titled 'Profligate'—a word meaning recklessly extravagant—aired as part of the weekly release schedule for the critically acclaimed series, which is streaming now on Prime Video.
