Under the Dome Review: Season One, Episode Four – “Outbreak”

First aired July 15th, 2013.

After about two days of hanging out outside the dome the army has decided to hit the road. But, before any large-scale riots can ensue, people begin collapsing with what’s later diagnosed as an outbreak of meningitis.

It stands to reason that, being trapped in a confined space, illness could spread fast, although the rate at which the disease spreads seems exaggerated. The fact that nearly all of the doctors are dead or outside the dome makes the situation more dangerous. With no other options they have to rely on Norrie’s second mother, Alice, who is a psychiatrist, to step in, meaning she can treat the sick while also helping them with their personal issues. Junior brandishing a shotgun to keep the ill quarantined is a good twist, as is having him promoted to a deputy.

What doesn’t work with this storyline is the revelation that the drug addicted Reverend Coggins stole the antibiotics needed for the sick. He doesn’t steal them to get doped up, rather he tries to burn them because he believes God wanted the infected to die. This is meant to make the meningitis outbreak more suspenseful but instead it just feels forced and out of place. However, the idea of the Reverend leading a group of cult-like religious fanatics inside the dome might be fun to watch.

Meanwhile, Julia’s  storyline has gotten some much needed momentum, first with her finding out that Barbie has a map with her house marked on it. She eventually gets sick but decides that getting answers is more important than getting life-saving medicine and sneaks out of the hospital. Although she nearly dies, Julia does find out that Barbie is an enforcer who came to settle her husband’s outstanding gambling debts. Julia’s of course pissed off and kicks Barbie out. Just wait until she finds out he also killed him.

Unfortunately, the other major storylines in the show don’t receive much forward movement. After suffering another seizure Joe and Norrie are taken to the hospital for a checkup. Joe has the idea to film themselves touching and record the seizure. When looking at the footage he sits up halfway through and puts his finger to his lips telling himself to keep the pink stars a secret.

Under the Dome obviously has to keep the origins behind the dome a secret for most of its run. That’s what it should do since there is plenty of drama within the cast to provide storylines. That being said, shoving the one clue we’ve been given into our faces repeatedly is annoying. If there is nothing to learn about the pink stars in lines yet it shouldn’t be brought up so much.

Angie’s kidnapping plot is suffering from the same problem. All she does in this episode is nearly drown after breaking a water pipe. Big Jim finds her but that won’t bring her any closer to getting out. Junior is his son so he’ll most likely keep her where she is to protect him.

Quotes/Thoughts

The idea of Junior having a license to carry a gun is much scarier than a viral outbreak.

“Lucky I didn’t haul your ass into jail for what you did today.” “Luck has nothing to do with it. You can’t hurt me without hurting yourself. God bless.”

Big Jim really knows how to calm down a crowd.

“Is everything normal?” “Nope you’re a mutant, like Wolverine.”

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