This has been written in pieces over the last months as I have been here there and everywhere. Since I finished the second series of Under The Dome I’ve had a lot of time to ponder it. So finally here are my thoughts on it!
I had spent most of 2013 stuck in a world created by Michael Grant called Gone, a story that really grabbed me and kept my interest for the entirety of the 7 book YA series. I couldn't stop talking about it, It had been a while since a series had me so captivated and excited. I wanted everybody/anybody to read it so I could have someone to talk about it. After talking to a friend about it he said to me that I had described the premise of Stephen King’s Under The Dome. Now I won't get into the debate of which came first or which is better and as there are many similarities in the principle of both stories, one of which is the Orwellian nature of the stories. However, there are also some stand out differences. Under The Dome begins with one of our principle characters burying a body and driving away when this explosion hits the ground splitting a dairy cow perfectly into what looks like a biology cross-section. The carcass slowly folds to the ground it becomes apparent that the thing that slices the animal in two is a transparent wall. We then follow various scenes that depict various vehicles crashing into the yet unidentified 'Dome'. Our principle cast is diverse and entertaining, with familiar faces which include Dean Norris as Jim 'Big Jim' Rennie, who fancies himself as the man in charge of the town. Norris is known by many as the suspicious cop Hank in mega-hit Breaking Bad, switches it up and plays the town’s love to hate character. We have Mike Vogel as Dale 'Barbie' Barbara and Rachelle Lefevre as Julia Shumway, moving the story along becoming a power couple in the community whilst they struggle to keep everything and everyone together. The younger cast are equally as talented with Angie and Junior played by Britt Robertson and Alexander Koch respectively providing a deeply disturbing relationship in the first few episodes. Also Samantha Mathis appears as Rose a beloved cafe owner.Not wanting to spoil any plots, I won’t go into the details of the second season but I can guarantee that it is a treat.
Now I have failed to mention the book, which I haven't read, and if my ‘to read’ list and it only keeps getting longer with thanks to Goodreads. With a happy coincidence though I have discovered that I had forgotten my audible subscription so Under The Dome read by Raul Esparza kept me busy on the many hours of travelling around in October. After both watching and listening, I can’t help but think these need to be looked at as two different entities. Stephen King is a great writer he can churn out a book like no-one else, thought he started the novel in 1976 but didn't finish it until the mid 2000's. What the producers of the serial drama did however is add extra depth to the characters that make this series not just another science fiction series that will go on for 10 series and become a little bit over the top. It feels like you are watching a social experiment without being gimmicky and clichéd. It’s watching simple human nature dealing with isolation in the face of being watched by other’s, a total Orwellian idea, watching the best and worst of the human condition as people step up for a community or become more and more self-serving. The science fiction is more of a side note of the drama, it’s there and keeps the story progressing but it is not what keeps you watching. It is the characters behaviours which are so captivating.
If a Sci-fi is what you are rafter then this is not for you but if you are more up for a drama that has fantastical and science fiction contexts then this is your show.
N.B. I have to note that when sat on the tube listening to the audiobook, I really did laugh out loud when King makes reference to the movie re-working of his book The Mist! Laughing on a train uncontrollably when no-one know’s what you’re listening to is incredibly liberating.
No comments:
Post a Comment