Under the Dome: Pilot Review

First aired June 24th, 2013.

People who live in small towns often have a fear of becoming trapped there for the rest of their lives. The residents of Chester’s Mill are condemned to rural life when a nearly invisible dome smashes down (slicing a cow in half in the process) and cuts them off from the world. This is the main plot for Under the Dome, a television series based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.

For a show like this to work there has to be conflict and drama among the characters besides the obvious “we’re trapped in a giant dome,” and the show provides plenty. Town politician James “Big Jim” Rennie (played by Dean Norris) is ready to claim power during the chaos. He is also connected to some shady business involving secret propane deliveries that are being investigated by local reporter Julia Shumway (played by Rachelle Lefevre).

The most interesting development of the night comes from James “Junior” Rennie (played by Alexander Koch), the son of Big Jim. Junior evolves from a social loner into a future Ted Bundy throughout the episode. It culminates in him kidnapping his ex-girlfriend Angie (played by Britt Robinson) and holding her hostage in his father’s bomb shelter to “protect her” during the crisis.

There also seems to be a developing bond between Julia and Dale “Barbie” Barbara (played by Mike Vogel) an army veteran. However, one thing might get in the way of their budding romance: Barbie killed Julia’s husband and buried him in the woods at the start of the episode.

Of course Under the Dome doesn’t fail to provide supernatural drama. Several people who get near the dome begin to have seizures and repeat the words, “Pink stars are falling in lines.”  Electronics don’t mesh well with the dome either, as evidenced by the sheriff’s pacemaker exploding when he touches the dome’s surface.

This is a strong pilot episode for Under the Dome. It fleshes out all the characters equally and gives them interesting storylines. The episode moves with great momentum and overall the series shows great promise.

Quotes/Thoughts:

I’m officially filing “pink stars falling in lines” as a clue to the dome’s origin.

“What if the government built this thing?” “I doubt it.” “Why?” “Because it works.”

I felt really bad for that cow.

It can’t be long before people in a town with no way out realize Angie is missing.

“When roaming packs of mutants start swarming this place, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

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