Under The Dome review – 1×02: ‘The Fire’

It’s episode two of Under The Dome and circumstances are becoming more dire. Although many of the characters remain relatively two-dimensional, the issues faced by the residents of Chester’s Mill continue to entertain.

Let’s bitch it out…

Let’s count out the good, the meh and the bad of this week’s episode, ‘Fire.’ After the jump we’re tracking Dome information.

The Good

• The fire: Acting under perceived orders from Big Jim (Dean Norris), new character Rev. Lester Coggins (Ned Bellamy) – in on the propane plot – accidentally sets Duke’s (Jeff Fahey) house on fire. It’s a real issue for a town without firemen and it’s handled in a believable fashion (even if the way the fire begins is pretty stupid)
• Freddy’s (Joe Knezevich) shooting: Paul (Kevin Sizemore) goes crazy – just as we knew he would when he began collecting guns in his trunk – and accidentally takes out his fellow police officer. Oops!
• Joe (Colin Ford): Clearly Joe is one of the few intelligent people in town who are trying to ascertain the Dome’s properties. For his efforts, let’s give him a dog named Truman!
• Linda’s (Natalie Martinez) leadership: It’s good to see Linda emerge from Duke’s shadow following his death, though she’s gonna need to step it up if she wants to help the town survive. I’m still waiting for more from Martinez in terms of characterization, but they’re setting Linda up to become Sheriff, so we’ll see how that goes
• Addressing viewer questions: Want to know why no one has tried to dig out? Big Jim reminds us that electrical equipment will frizz out when it comes in contact with the Dome (example: Duke’s pacemaker)

The Meh

• Barbie’s (Mike Vogel) dog tag fiasco: This kind of “oops I left key evidence at a crime scene, guess how long it will take to discover” plotline is painfully obvious. Thankfully it doesn’t go quite the way we might expect and he’s able to recover the incriminating evidence, but let’s hope that Under The Dome doesn’t stoop any more cliches in the future
• Big Jim’s political speech: Once Duke’s house has been flattened, Big Jim gives the kind of rousing rah-rah speech that normally ends with baby kissing. Obviously this guy is going to make a play for power (he is the only council member left in town), but it’s hard to believe that people wouldn’t see this man for what he is: a leech

The Bad

• Dodee’s (Jolene Purdy) miracle radio: Everything to do with the radio station thus far feels like a bit of a plot contrivance. Need info from the outside world? Dodee can pick it up! Need comic relief? Phil (Nicholas Strong) can crack a joke and plug the station as the only game in town! The nonchalant response from these two is completely unbelievable. Plus: don’t they ever go home?
• Angie’s (Britt Robertson) plight: Poor Britt. She’s stuck in the underground bunker storyline that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon. Junior (Alexander Koch) remains a caricature who exists solely to moon over her or follow Barbie around and get beat-up. This storyline needs something else ASAP. Side Note: Junior is totally the “Charlie” (from Revolution) of the summer
• The propane secret: Is anyone really interested how hoarding propane was going to save the town? This secret just doesn’t seem as interesting as the show is making it out to be

Dome info for the week:

• This week’s origin theory: Some speculate that it is the work of North Korea, while Rachel Lefevre’s Julia suggests they’re an Army experiment (The latter is dismissed when she overhears that the Army don’t know what it’s made of)
• This week’s factoid: A small amount of water can pass through the walls, like a sieve. That should prove useful
• Number of deaths/injuries: 2 – Paul and Truman’s owner, whose body has been dragged away (Peter and Duke don’t count because they were killed last week)
• This week’s drinking game: Drink everytime a gun goes off

Best Lines:

• Dodee (when Julia asks why they haven’t communicated info about the Dome): “We’re not a news station”
• Paul (panicking about the Dome): “Just hope nobody tries to blow this damn thing up” Gosh, is that foreshadowing?

What are your thoughts on episode two: still invested? Losing interest? Which storylines are you excited for and which do you hope the writers will improve? How often do we need to see Junior get punched in the face to remain satisfied? And what’s your theory on the next catastrophe to hit Chester’s Mill? Speculate away below

Please Note: Although the show is an adaptation of the book, let’s discuss the show as its own piece of entertainment. Also, please refrain from posting spoilers about the book

Under The Dome airs Mondays at 10pm EST on CBS