Under the Dome - Episode 1.04 - Outbreak - Review

First off, I'm glad to say Under the Dome bounced back from last weeks misstep. Or at least it was a step up from what we saw last week, most of the drama still felt forced or heavy handed. Whereas the fire was a meaningful threat, a continuation of events set in motion by the dome and the characters actions. The meningitis threat was suddenly there, progressing much more rapid than usual and felt forced. The common flu would have served better here, as supplies are dwindling. I can't help but feel that this is CBS's influence forcing a ''problem of the week'', so the show becomes more procedural-like. 

Even though, like last week, the framework of the episode felt forced, it at least lend itself to some character drama. Joe McAlister (played by Colin Ford) finally asked Junior (played by Alexander Koch) about his sister Angie (played by Britt Robertson). Though he got a vague answer from Junior that he saw her two days ago and seemingly was okay with that. He just went chilling with Norrie (played by Mackenzie Lintz) after that. It was good to see on of her moms, Alice Calvert (played by Samantha Mathis), actually doing some tests on them because of their seizures. Also, I loved the ''Sssht!'' Joe did to the camera when they recorded their own seizure. It is one of the more intriguing mystery on Under the Dome right now. 

Then there is reverend Lester Coggins (played by Ned Bellamy) who is burning stuff again, this time it's the towns medical supply. Believing God will decide who lives and who dies as he is unraveling at a quick pace. He went from drug addict to believing the Dome is God's will. Maybe God dropped a contact lens?

I liked the way how in the end Barbie (played by Mike Vogel) and Julia (played by Rachelle Lefevre) rather quietly confronted each other. There was no reason for a big blow up since they barely knew each other and it filled in more on the back story of what happened with Julia's husband Peter (played by R. Keith Harris). Maybe it would have been better if Barbie told her the whole truth, explaining to her how he though he acted in self defense. Though with the fight he had earlier with Junior, it might have been enough reason for Big Jim (played by Dean Norris) to lock him up. 

Speaking of Junior, giving him a shotgun and putting him in charge, I was sure he was going to make things much, much worse. Turns out he did an okay job and actually helped for once. So where did his crazy side go? How do people not know how fucked up he is? It's a small town, people know. How awkward was Big Jim giving Junior such an important role in the first place? Their relationship did an oneeighty from last week. Because of Junior's help, Linda decides to be stupid (again) and makes Junior a deputy. Because that won't go wrong!

Perhaps Big Jim will strip Junior of his badge now that he has discovered Angie in the falloutshelter. Finally, someoene has found Angie. That took way to long, but perhaps these grating scenes will finally be over! I find it hard to believe Big Jim would be okay with Junior keeping Angie locked up. Others are assuming he will close the door and keep her there, but with everything we've seen from Big Jim so far I find that hard to believe. He certainly has his own agenda, but he truly seems to care about the people of Chester's Mill.

Overall the episode was a definite step up from the previous one. Though situations still feel forced to create drama, the good outweighed the bad. Intrigue about the dome rises now that the military was seen moving away in anticipation of next week's weapons test. And for the first time someone started mentioning the possibility that the dome isn't going anywhere, maybe people will finally start panicking? 

6.5/10

Pascal Buijnsters Pascal's a Dutchman and has been a longtime commentator on SpoilerTV and started out as a writer for SpoilerTV last year. He is quite a TV addict and writes for a local, Dutch, newspaper. Next to that he's into soccer for his local team, a gamer and a fanatical swimmer. He writes previews and reviews for SpoilerTV for a variety of shows. Main Account - All Shows