Because I loath both cable and commercials, my access to currently running television shows is pretty limited. It takes quite a bit for me to even be willing to watch a show on Hulu because of commercials sometimes. So I was thrilled to learn that Amazon made a huge deal with CBS to make available new episodes of Under the Dome on Amazon Prime. That means that my Amazon Prime membership gets me access to a current television show commercial free without having to pay and additional cost (we have purchased other currently running shows in the past, but it adds up). Sweet!!
So how did I feel about the pilot? Well, I am super excited to watch this show. I love creators (whether they be novelists, screen writers, or some other variant) that use science fiction and fantasy as a vehicle to discuss meaningful, relevant, and thought-provoking topics. The source material gives ample opportunity for the writers of the show to explore some exciting themes, and the pilot leads me to believe that the writers are going to bring these ideas to the big screen...er...living room screens.
Side note: the name of the first episode is "Pilot"? Really guys?
My only concerns center around my sensitivity to graphic images. Nightmares after the pilot? Yeah, they happened. But I also understand that when you remove the images from situations you end up neutering the concept. The first example that comes to my mind is Hunger Games movie vs book. You lost so much of what the book was about in making it PG-13 (although I understand it was somewhat necessary in order to reach the target audience). I haven't read Under the Dome the novel, but I can imagine that the situation could be similar here. However, I'm really not certain why the sex scene (I just can't use the word love in this case) had to be as overt as it was. This scene in particular had me checking what network was airing this show because it seemed a little risqué for prime time but nope. CBS.
SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the pilot we are introduced to a town that at first seems fairly typical of rural America. But as things progress, we are treated to some increasingly intriguing aspects of Chester's Mill including propane stockpiling, the burial of a dead body with the accompanying attempt to flee the scene and mysterious cell phone call to some apparent accomplice, and a conspiracy involving some of the Town's leadership. The creepiest town reveal is probably the kidnapping of a youthful candystripper by her new ex who seems to know a lot more about what's going on than he should.
After we feel a sense of a attachment to the town, the dome descends. And suddenly we have an adult treatment of what would seriously be happening in a situation like this no holds barred. Animal deaths, human dismemberment, some spectacular vehicle crashes, and all of the human drama you can handle. The fire department is on the other side for a parade so the emergency services of the town are already pretty depleted before any further episodes introduce new catastrophes. Loved ones are separated either by the dome or chaos. And of course most teenagers simply see this as another opportunity to party. This last one is a cliche that I personally don't buy into based on my personal experiences as a teenager and how we reacted to various tradgedies and disasters, but I understand I may be unique in my perspective.
Outside the dome we know that things are really just as crazy as inside the dome because if something like this really happened, it would change the entire world. And people would be scared spit-less. Both inside and out. So we end the episode really only just beginning with the presentation of the scenario. Can't wait to see where it goes.
