This week on Under the Dome, there weren't many surprises as things played out pretty much as predicted, but we did get a deeper look into some characters helping us to understand them better. We also saw character interactions we haven't seen before, like Julia with Junior and Big Jim with Barbie. The new episode, Manhunt, kept me entertained, interested and shed some new light on Chester's Mill's key people. So let's dive right in to the events Under the Dome.
In the aftermath of last week's episode (see: Under the Dome: The Fire), Deputy Paul is taken to hold-up for his actions. The town is struck with fear and panic questioning Linda's ability to keep them safe and keep the peace inside the dome. Let me just say, if in the first few days after our mysterious bubble dropped the Sheriff died and of the three officers left one is now a felon for shooting the other who is dead, I'd be questioning Linda too. Big Jim is able to calm them down and sees the dome not as a threat but rather a blessing; an opportunity for him to gain more power, control and influence in Chester's Mill. Paul is able to easily fool and trap Linda, enabling his escape. When Big Jim confronts Linda, like her predecessor and mentor Duke, she rebuffs Jim's self appointed role as leader claiming he isn't in charge of her. This battle for control will likely continue to play out in the weeks ahead as Linda is now the Sheriff and needs new deputies, which falls to Big Jim, as the only councilman in Chester's Mill, he holds the power to appoint new officers.
We learn a little more about Junior in this episode and possibly uncover why he is so crazy. He has clearly been living in his father's shadow and I actually felt bad for him. Big Jim tells his son that him being MIA from the fire was not a good reflection on him and that he's not a man. He even goes as far to say that nine years after the death of his mother he is still hiding behind her skirt. Even his name is a constant reflection of how he is not good enough, he's not his own man, he is Junior. I think that when Angie broke it off with him, he snapped, feeling like a failure once again. While feeding the captive Angie, she gives him the idea to search beneath the town and bolsters his self-confidence by telling him that even though it's dangerous he is brave enough to navigate the banned tunnels. While this is only in her best interest, if Junior thinks the dome is affecting her, finding a way out is her only way out of the predicament she has found herself in. To top that, no one seems to care that she's gone. Her parents are trapped outside, her brother, Joe, is preoccupied and her boss Rose thinks she just abandoned her job. Junior takes Angie's advice as he is desperate to get rid of or escape the dome. Julia, always asking questions and looking for her next big story follows Junior into the tunnels. Unfortunately they learn that the dome transcends even the deepest part of town and Junior lashed out at the dome, beating it with no reluctance. Again he feels like a failure. We also saw the dome react to another battery operated device, and just as Duke's pacemaker exploded when in close proximity to the electrical nature of the globe, Junior's flashlight burst. Luckily Julia helps guide them out, using matches to see where the airflow originates. She also has a heart to heart with Junior explaining that why she ended up in her husband's home town of Chester's Mill, is because she wanted a story so badly she neglected to verify her information and her big time career was over. She acted like the mother-figure he has been missing and explained that mistakes are not personal failures but rather big arrows guiding us in life and enabling us to learn and grow. Junior warns her about Barbie adding to her already growing suspicions of him. When she finally brings him home they agree to keep their journey together a secret and steps out of his father's light asking to no longer be called Junior, but James.
Joe becomes the coolest kid in Chester's Mill with a generator and no parents and his house quickly becomes the teenage hangout. He begins to bond with Norrie and when the local jock starts charging for Joe's power Norrie is the only one who will stand up to him. In an effort to protect her, Joe confronts him as well but the generator is overloaded and blows just in time. Norrie's mom rushes in as she has been searching for her rebellious teen all day concerned she has had another epileptic fit. Preparing to say goodbye Joe and Norrie's hands go to touch when suddenly there is an electrical spark which sends them both into the strange episodes they had before: violently shaking while repeating "pink stars are falling in lines".
Big Jim begins the manhunt for Paul asking for volunteers. He picks up two burly men at Rose's diner and seeing Barbie, chums up to him in an effort to size him up. Suspecting he was the man who had brawled with his son Junior and seeing his bruised knuckles just confirmed it. As I thought, Barbie's actions after the fire, when he apprehended Deputy Paul by disarming him, drew unwanted attention. Big Jim begins by souping him up saying he saw what he did and he could really use a guy like him on the team, but as usual he has ulterior motives. Throughout the episode they spend the day together hunting Paul and while Jim tries to pry information out of Barbie, he is unusually tight lipped making him even more suspicious. When they finally find Paul, it is Linda who gives the kill shot cleaning up her own mess and showing that she is capable of stepping into Duke's shoes. Big Jim and Barbie arrive simultaneously with Julia and Junior where there is obvious friction in the air. I think that seeing his dad with Barbie, even though Junior told him Barbie had attacked him, made Junior's hate for his father and for Barbie intensify. While I don't think Big Jim has any ideas of being Barbie's new best friend but rather to assess him as a likely threat, Junior doesn't see it that way. Just like Angie's earlier comments about Barbie being a real man compounded with Big Jim's disappointment in Junior for not stepping up, angers Junior which he deflects on Barbie. I am sure we will see more of the two's silent feud as at the diner Barbie heard the Angie hasn't been seen since the dome hit and I am sure he can connect the dots back to Junior.
In addition, Julia's inquisitive nature keeps her at arms length from Barbie instinctively knowing his story doesn't add up. She knows that he lied about the dog tags, she witnessed his clear recognition of Phil the DJ and suspicious avoidance of him like he doesn't want to be seen, and she also noticed his bruised knuckles which verifies Junior's story. Then, when she confronts him again about why he is in Chester's Mill he lies causing her to dig deeper into why he is in their town. While he showers she snoops in his backpack and discovers that not only did he lie about only passing through, but he possesses a map clearly marked with an address in Chester's Mill, with initials written next to it. I can't wait to see whether Barbie catches her, she confronts him or, learning from her past mistakes, takes the time to investigate him further before drawing a conclusion. But either way now she knows the man in her home isn't who he claims to be.
Another good episode to add to the tale that has become my new summer addiction. Tune in Monday night's on CBS to join the ride and check back here as I will continue to bring you weekly reviews, recaps and my personal predictions as to what will happen next on Under the Dome!
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