Fallout Season 3 is already in full production, and the usual search for clues has begun. It’s become a tradition for big franchise releases to have images from the set start circulating online, and fans have been picking them apart for any clues as to where the story might be going. The latest batch, allegedly taken at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, has given rise to one of the most interesting theories yet. In the background, there’s an insignia that seems to belong to the Order of the Quill, a lesser-known branch of the Brotherhood of Steel that doesn’t receive much love outside of deeper lore in the games. It’s a theory gaining traction among veteran Fallout fans.
Most viewers probably wouldn’t notice the symbol, but it didn’t take long before dedicated fans started comparing it to the games’ designs. Whether the theory is true or not is a different question altogether. Set photos don’t always tell the whole story and there’s always the possibility a logo or prop is just an Easter Egg for those familiar with the franchise. However, this is an interesting part of the series, because the implementation of the Order of the Quill would expand the Brotherhood in a way that has not been explored yet.
Brotherhood of Steel: A Different Perspective
The Brotherhood in the TV series has been presented in a way that meets the expectations of casual viewers: a militarily armored organization committed to the retrieval of advanced technology and to its protection from those who they deem might misuse it. While that is definitely part of their identity, it’s not all of it. Another part of the organization, the Order of the Quill, is more interested in saving knowledge than collecting weapons. They are responsible for recovering historical documents, books, and other artifacts from the past before they are lost forever.
If that’s the way it’s headed for Season 3, it could open up some interesting story possibilities. Rather than showing the Brotherhood as a militarized group with a single goal, the show could examine the internal divisions of the organization. One side may feel that technology should be the main focus while the other may feel that the preservation of history is equally as important. It’s a more complex conflict than simply one group of survivors versus another, and it’s this kind of world-building that has made Fallout stand out from other post-apocalyptic series.
Why The Theory Sounds Plausible
This theory gains credibility from the series’ approach to the source material from the start. The creative team has slowly introduced elements so that long-time fans will recognize a great number of them, but not so many that newcomers will be overwhelmed, rather than trying to stuff every recognizable location, faction, or character into the story. It is understandable that viewers are paying closer attention to details that might have seemed trivial at first glance. In the past, similar Easter eggs have actually paid off.
The reported filming location further complicates the discussion. A natural history museum is a fitting backdrop for a story that concerns itself with the preservation of the past, and it is a fitting symbol for the Order of the Quill. It may be a convenient filming location, but it’s the kind of visual choice that gets fans drawing connections. It’s impossible to know if those connections are significant or just coincidental until the season is broadcast.
Season 3 Already Has a Strong Foundation
There’s already a lot of momentum going into Season 3, regardless of the Brotherhood’s ultimate role. One of the new cast members joining the already impressive cast of the show is Aaron Paul. Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten and Walton Goggins are all returning after helping the show achieve success in the first two seasons. Everything points to the next chapter digging deeper into the wasteland’s numerous factions, as the series has earned a reputation for blending dark humor, action and surprisingly thoughtful world-building.
That said, fans should take set leaks with a grain of salt and not take every leaked image as confirmation that it is a major plot point. Every production sparks endless fan theories, but the majority of them become irrelevant when the episodes are finished. But this one is a little more grounded than most because it’s tied to a piece of established Fallout lore rather than just being based on speculation. The discussion demonstrates how closely fans are following every new glimpse of the show, whether or not the Order of the Quill becomes a major part of Season 3, or is just a nod to long-time players. You never know which little detail will turn out to mean something much bigger, which is sometimes the fun of waiting for a new season.
Source: Reddit