Pilot Review: Under the Dome

Under the Dome (CBS)
Premiered June 24 at 10pm

The recent trend of sci-fi event series is far from dead, and summer may actually be a better platform for this kind of limited series fare. This show, like many before it, has a cool premise but can’t quite deliver in terms of the execution because it gets bogged down with its dull characters and their interactions only tangentially shaped by the introduction of this extraordinary thing, which in this case is an invisible dome which encases a random small town. Being based on a Stephen King novel recommends this show considerably, but this premiere comes far from delivering any actionable answers, and instead presents infinite questions unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. Among the cast, there are two recognizable TV faces whose roles here don’t even come close to doing justice to the parts that made them famous to current audiences – Jeff Fahey from “Lost” as the sheriff and Dean Norris from “Breaking Bad” as the hardheaded council member. I’m far from impressed with the creepy Junior, who found the need to abduct his girlfriend and store her in his father’s storm shelter while the whole town is encompassed in a dome. I’ve never understood the need to have everyday villainy when far more interesting things are happening. I don’t know what to make of the unfortunately-named Barbie, and Rachelle Lefevre’s reporter seems to be awfully ignorant of what’s going on around her. These characters just aren’t compelling enough, and the show is sure to miss the grandeur of the greater picture for the sake of pettier plotlines.

How will it work as a series? This show has the potential to be interesting but seems determined to stretch its mystery over thirteen episodes, which should prove agonizing. There’s some chance that it could pick up, but given the characters presented thus far, I don’t have high hopes.
How long will it last? It shouldn’t have a problem staying on through the summer, given that its debut was the highest for a summer show premiere in six years. CBS is big on high ratings, and therefore it’s possible they’ll want to employ this one as a summer staple, though I think it’s more likely to be a one-shot limited series that does well this summer.

Pilot grade: C-