Under the Dome

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 24, 2013
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 450 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 229 out of 450
  2. Mixed: 104 out of 450
  3. Negative: 117 out of 450
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User Reviews

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  1. gkennedy88
    Sep 10, 2013
    10
    This is an awesome show that I have enjoyed frequently every single week I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see more I cant get enough since many other networks are cutting the good stuff and putting crap up this is one of the only shows I actually watch anymore
  2. david5976
    Sep 13, 2013
    10
    this is the best show i ever watched since the walking dead.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
  3. ZeroDay
    Sep 17, 2013
    10
    When I first saw the advertisement for Under The Dome I wasn't sure what to make of it. But after watching the entire series 1 I can honestly say that I love! this show. Under The Dome is a fantastic programme and I can't wait for season 2. I really wish season 2 was on sooner. Great job by all the people involved in making this show, You've done a fantastic job.
  4. loot47
    Oct 9, 2013
    10
    Amazing show. By far the best one on TV right now in my opinion. The cliffhanger at the end was gripping. The first few episodes are a little slow but around the fourth or fifth I couldn't stop watching.
  5. idkana
    Dec 13, 2013
    10
    one of the best tv series already created, the cast is amazing and the history too, i wanna read the under the dome book, everyone must see cause its amazing
  6. Elena1998
    Aug 22, 2014
    10
    Under the dome is one of my favorite series. With each season and with each new series I'm getting interesting to see. I also hope that there will be more episodes and seasons. I really love this show.
  7. Zedhead22
    Sep 16, 2014
    10
    An adventurous show about a small town trapped under a gigantic fish bowl, which has in a sense, trapped me and others Under the Dome. A perfect adaption in my eyes of a recent and great monster of a book from SK.
  8. lucas24
    Sep 19, 2014
    10
    Uma das mais brilhantes series criadas. UTD éuma serie que mexe com a curiosidade de quem assiste. Sem duvida, minha serie favorita. E rezando pra que dure por muito tempo.
  9. aphx
    Jun 26, 2015
    3
    If you have ever wondered what it looks like when a cow is separated perfectly in half through the median plane, Under the Dome will show you. Over and over again.

    The pilot kind of draws you in, but don't be deceived. The characters and plot "twists" are frustrating to watch and also terribly predictable. The mysterious stranger from out of town starts out fairly compelling but then    If you have ever wondered what it looks like when a cow is separated perfectly in half through the median plane, Under the Dome will show you. Over and over again.

    The pilot kind of draws you in, but don't be deceived. The characters and plot "twists" are frustrating to watch and also terribly predictable. The mysterious stranger from out of town starts out fairly compelling but then proceeds to deer-in-headlights himself through every crisis the town faces, while the one-dimensional journalist stubbornly and brazenly follows every lead she stumbles across because hey, she's just got to clumsily get to the bottom of things like any imaginary stubborn journalist would!    … Expand
  10. Druganov
    Jul 23, 2014
    3
    The first episodes where great, after that it kept the tension up for the rest of season 1.

    But, enter season two. That was the great decline into product placement and worse storylines. It became barely tolerable to watch, but the episode that did it for me was the one in which the cast chased some magic 3G/wi-fi signal, that somehow penetrated the dome (even when a MOAB bomb    The first episodes where great, after that it kept the tension up for the rest of season 1.

    But, enter season two. That was the great decline into product placement and worse storylines.

    It became barely tolerable to watch, but the episode that did it for me was the one in which the cast chased some magic 3G/wi-fi signal, that somehow penetrated the dome (even when a MOAB bomb couldn't get trough in season one), with their Windows (tm) 8 (c) tablets, and spending close to 5 minutes of screentime showing off how awesome those tablets are, and how nice and easy it is to read e-mails on them!

    Another series that seems to think it's viewers are mindless zombie-consumers.

    Shame on you, Stephen King.    … Expand
  11. VonSeux
    Jan 4, 2014
    7
    Awesome effects for a TV show, extra point for that; good writting and cast. I just hope it wont drag so much that I lose interesting. So far i'm itrigued on what IS the dome. Nice work Stephen King!
  12. SnakeCRO
    May 27, 2021
    6
    I had a feeling it will be like this. B grade actors so that makes them shallow and emotionless, bad writing makes the characters stupid but they can work on it, dreadful CGI...blah after 3 episodes I don't think I will continue watching.
  13. Ravens1294
    Jun 24, 2014
    1
    Another show that looked to have potential in the pilot, but this show is crap too. It has some of the worst characters on TV, some horrible acting, and story lines we could care less about.
  14. genericusename
    Sep 17, 2013
    4
    It started out with a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to it. The first two or three episodes were very good, but it gradually went down hill. The acting, for the most part, was average, with a few very good performances and some bad ones in the mix. Same can be said for the writing. And now, instead of being a mini-series like it was supposed to, they've decided toIt started out with a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to it. The first two or three episodes were very good, but it gradually went down hill. The acting, for the most part, was average, with a few very good performances and some bad ones in the mix. Same can be said for the writing. And now, instead of being a mini-series like it was supposed to, they've decided to milk it for a second season (and maybe more, who knows at this point?), leading to an awful season finale. I'm all for cliff hangers, but only if they're well done. This finale was just anti-climatic, and frankly, I'm not sure if I'll tune in next year.… Expand
  15. coyotemoon722
    Nov 10, 2014
    10
    This show is pure Stephen King. If you're a hardcore fan of his work, or have just read a few of the popular novels, this show will have you hanging onto the edge of your seat, and take you for quite a ride.

    As is obvious from any promo shot, the story is about a town that gets trapped under a mysterious dome. As this is happening, you get introduced to the main characters that will    This show is pure Stephen King. If you're a hardcore fan of his work, or have just read a few of the popular novels, this show will have you hanging onto the edge of your seat, and take you for quite a ride.

    As is obvious from any promo shot, the story is about a town that gets trapped under a mysterious dome. As this is happening, you get introduced to the main characters that will further endear you to the show.

    The show has many characters, probably the most interesting and mysterious of all, the dome itself. Every time something crazy happens you think to yourself, "Ugh, it's that dome again!" And that's part of what makes it so interesting is that these people are forced to adapt to whatever the dome happens to throw at them.

    The big star of the show is Dean Norris (Who also played Hank in Breaking Bad). He plays "Big Jim" Rennie, the only town councilman not stuck outside the dome. Big Jim loves Chester's Mill, grew up there and made his living selling used cars. That should tip you off on what type of character he is. Without giving anything away, this is Dean Norris's finest acting role and he plays it pitch-perfectly.

    There are also loveable stars and characters that will engage you and have you wanting to see more of them.

    If you like crazy sci-fi action dramas with a splash of killing (Okay, come on guys it's Stephen King, there's gonna be killing) then this is right up your alley. The tension is palpable, the drama high, and the atmosphere nothing short of other-worldly, and King tells a great and mysterious story.

    After just finishing the series in about a week...Yeah I spent hours on end watching it on Amazon episode after episode...(Breaking Bad much?) I'm happy to find out there's a third season in the works.

    If you're at all curious about this show, you owe it to yourself to check it out.    … Expand
  16. Blackops1231
    Sep 7, 2014
    0
    I watched a couple episodes a long time ago and it looked really lame and boring. The characters were bland and the dialogue was very poor. It was also very slow and boring. I just felt like I was wasting my time watching it and I never will again. You should definitely skip watching this one. Hope this helped.
  17. MlleChichi
    Oct 1, 2015
    3
    First season is not very bad. Second season is bad. I started to watch third season then my cat ran away from the house and it took me 3 days to find her. My cat has since never been the same. UNDER THE DOME BROKE MY CAT. Would no re-watch.
  18. BioTofu
    Jul 28, 2014
    4
    As a fan of the first season, I am very disappointed with season 2... 3 episodes in, likable familiar faces have been killed off, while some other old characters have become inconsistent and incoherent. eg. Ep 1, I believe only Jesus can forgive and forget Big Jim's treachery and hostility so quickly. Norie has become unnaturally hostile and jealous when she should be more curious andAs a fan of the first season, I am very disappointed with season 2... 3 episodes in, likable familiar faces have been killed off, while some other old characters have become inconsistent and incoherent. eg. Ep 1, I believe only Jesus can forgive and forget Big Jim's treachery and hostility so quickly. Norie has become unnaturally hostile and jealous when she should be more curious and helpful to the newly introduced teen character, especially after seeing her actions and personality in season 1. O yeah, and the handful of newly introduced characters as replacements...… Expand
  19. WilburPost
    Jun 17, 2014
    4
    I thought with such a great heritage, Stephens, King & Spielberg, this might be worth a look. I should have continued painting the house, I wouldn't have wasted my time and the little woman would be happier.
  20. ttowntenor
    Jul 10, 2014
    8
    Under the Dome is getting a bit bizarre--and I love it. Big Jim is apparently being deified by some of the citizens of Chester's Mill. Watch out! Stephen King's stories often have a theological undertone: "God vs. Satan" or simply "Good vs. Evil". (God and Good usually win out.) Watch and listen closely. King manages to sneak in a "message" before the reader or, in this case, theUnder the Dome is getting a bit bizarre--and I love it. Big Jim is apparently being deified by some of the citizens of Chester's Mill. Watch out! Stephen King's stories often have a theological undertone: "God vs. Satan" or simply "Good vs. Evil". (God and Good usually win out.) Watch and listen closely. King manages to sneak in a "message" before the reader or, in this case, the viewer realizes what's happening. This series is not an all-time great, but don't sell it short.… Expand
  21. trebark
    Jul 25, 2014
    2
    2nd season is awful... the science teacher that thinks she is the savior, raining blood.... come on.

    I got hooked on series but.... if it stays on the current course i will not watch.. to bad.
  22. DennyCraneEsq
    Aug 4, 2014
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The 5,9 score may be a product of mixing Season 1 and 2. Season 1 was not bad. Season 2 started out OK, but rapidly plunged into an abyss. My wife is a big sci-fi fan, but by the middle of the episode where the food warehouse blows up, she was ready to turn it off. Is it the writing? The directing? Can none of the kids act? Dean Norris was good in "Breaking Bad." What went wrong here?

    I have not done the math, but my guess is that the reviews here will skew much lower for Season 2 than for Season 1, probably around a 3.    … Expand
  23. theflash956
    Aug 5, 2014
    0
    Under the dome has progressively got worse. I read the book and enjoyed the first few episodes but now it is just predictable and boring. I personally facepalm a minimum of 5 times each episode. Ignoring the fact that 60% of the things that happen don't even make any sense. "Sandstorm occurs and if somehow the winds hit every wall the dome gets clogged, and setting up a tiny fan to shootUnder the dome has progressively got worse. I read the book and enjoyed the first few episodes but now it is just predictable and boring. I personally facepalm a minimum of 5 times each episode. Ignoring the fact that 60% of the things that happen don't even make any sense. "Sandstorm occurs and if somehow the winds hit every wall the dome gets clogged, and setting up a tiny fan to shoot water 5 meters saves the city in 1 min flat." that is just plane stupid. I had high hopes for this season 1 but i cant bring my self to watch the next episode.… Expand
  24. GluedtotheTV
    Aug 26, 2014
    0
    Bottom line: this is a terrible show.

    No one who has ever seen a TV series can with a serious face appreciate Under the Dome on any level. In fact, comparing this to the dozens of shows I have followed in my life (currently I'm watching 70 different series a year), I'm convinced that Under the Dome is the worst TV series I have ever seen. Giving it a score of one would be too kind.    Bottom line: this is a terrible show.

    No one who has ever seen a TV series can with a serious face appreciate Under the Dome on any level. In fact, comparing this to the dozens of shows I have followed in my life (currently I'm watching 70 different series a year), I'm convinced that Under the Dome is the worst TV series I have ever seen. Giving it a score of one would be too kind.

    The characters are laughably birdbrained. Their decisions make no sense, they change their minds all the time without direction. They get themselves in trouble because they are so massively stupid, and they turn against each other on a whim even though only a second earlier they were friends. Then there are characters who for some reason just disappear for several episodes. The people outside the dome (who for some reason are almost non-existent from the show) can consider themselves lucky for being isolated from this town of morons.

    The plot lines are so bad they make me cry. Introduced plot lines are soon forgotten, abandoned or buried for no reason. They leave so many questions unanswered. The challenges that are thrown at the town are faced with the intelligence of a five-year-old and pseudo-scientific solutions. There are so many holes in the plot that it makes Swiss cheese jealous.

    But the worst thing has to be the dialogue. There is nothing good to say about it. It is just so absolutely inane. Like during the fifth episode when Jim and Rebecca tried to release a deadly virus to kill a large part of the town population. What did Julia say about this to the townspeople? This: "What Big Jim and Rebecca tried to do yesterday is inexcusable. But it's not unforgivable." What? What kind of stupid comment is that after they tried to kill hundreds of people? The dialogue is completely void of emotion, reason and logic.

    Some viewers say we shouldn't take this show too seriously. To them this is just a little bit of fun summer entertainment. Unfortunately this is not the case. There are many shows out there that are made for fun and that don't take themselves too seriously, and yet they manage to make sense. Under the Dome however does not do this. It takes itself too seriously while not making any sense. It is just an appalling insult to human intelligence and should under no circumstances be praised. Even playing Russian Roulette with six bullets in the chamber is more fun than watching this show.

    There is no reason for anyone to even call this show "OK", "decent" or "passable". Let's call this what it is: a sad, pathetic excuse for a TV show without any redeeming qualities. I have no idea how on earth a bunch of professional writers and producers have managed to create something this bad. They should hang their heads in shame.    … Expand
  25. AtheusGM
    Aug 23, 2014
    8
    Some people really DON'T like this show. Well in my opinion.
    The characters are indeed clichéd. Rather not very detailed and the acting is not Hollywood like. The OST is a bit of a little mess. Not a big impact on me watching the show. The book isn't like in the series. Sadly the acting is making it fall apart. The storyline (plot); I still don't understand it today after watching all the    Some people really DON'T like this show. Well in my opinion.
    The characters are indeed clichéd. Rather not very detailed and the acting is not Hollywood like. The OST is a bit of a little mess. Not a big impact on me watching the show. The book isn't like in the series. Sadly the acting is making it fall apart. The storyline (plot); I still don't understand it today after watching all the episodes. A gigantic energy field? Pink stars? Reincarnation? An egg which glows pink like it's radiated? Huh. I don't understand it at all. The book may have explained it better. I still enjoy it though. I like how it goes on and gives me a kind of action like feeling some times. May not be a good series but I still will watch it.    … Expand
  26. Le__Xenomorph
    Jan 7, 2015
    8
    Despite the mixed reviews from the users (5.9/10), I highly enjoyed Under the Dome, Season 1. Sure, some of the acting might be hammy, it has managed to win me over by its good special effects and the overall feeling of isolation under the dome. While the 1st season isn't as good as it could've been, I believe this show has great potential. 8/10 (great)
  27. cfernandomaciel
    May 7, 2015
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I read the book and was very excited about the show when it began. But right after the forth episode things began to get really wakko and shallow.

    They turned what could have been a great TV show into some average low IQ cheap soap-opera.

    It's insane how fast the characters seem to change sides, from being the good ones to becoming the bad guys!

    During one episode the entire town is trying to find the responsible for so many improbable deaths and get him hanged, then suddenly something happens, something as strange as little kids' make believe tales, which diverges people attention onto it and nobody really cares any longer about getting the culprit hanged!

    It's even worse! the real responsible who's the one who managed to put the blame to the good guy is clearly caught with his lies, but nobody seems to care about it any longer!

    Wait! There is more! Dale Barbara, after almost getting hanged for crimes that he didn't commit, accused by the real criminal, right after that entire plot being dismissed, resumes to making projects and going on errands with Big Jim!!!!?? Like buddies! And oh boy! Dale Barbara is really the guy, huh?! He can shoot, kick ass, be a good samaritan as good as Mother Thereza, and wait! He is a hell of a pilot too! What is that? Rambo VI?

    It's amazing how bad could the creators of the series turn a Stephen King's novel in so many ways and levels! Not to mention that the only resemblance one can actually find with the book is only the fact that the characters have the same names, the rest, it's nothing, absolutelly nothing like the book.

    That whole thing of the dome having it's own willpower, got as ridiculous as The Forty Four Hundred tv show, and as disappointing as Heroes got to be.

    As a huge fan of Stephen King's novels, I tried to give it a shot, actually I went really far down into the show, too far for my normal taste. I deeply regret to have wasted so much time with that series, and it's sad how a good book with so many aspects that could have actually helped to save the show could be so easily dismissed.

    Big cliche TV Show, filled with shallow characters, unsteady as a bipolar's opinions; a hectic plot with so many unsolved cliffhangers, that were so many times dismissed as nothing. It's full of cheap dialogues. It's a drag.

    I cannot give any score but a full fledged zero to it. For it was even a waste of money.    … Expand
  28. Elstyra
    Jul 28, 2015
    7
    These reviews are a scream. Were they all written under some kind of dome of their own? I notice most of the earlier one's are positive and then someone deigns to write a negative one and everyone else (clearly the 'armchair critics'/wannabe writers) subsequently follow suit like sheep. Jumping gormlessly onto the bandwagon. “It’s so awful, it just makes me wanna die!” I have to say, withThese reviews are a scream. Were they all written under some kind of dome of their own? I notice most of the earlier one's are positive and then someone deigns to write a negative one and everyone else (clearly the 'armchair critics'/wannabe writers) subsequently follow suit like sheep. Jumping gormlessly onto the bandwagon. “It’s so awful, it just makes me wanna die!” I have to say, with regards to Under The Dome, I think the premise is great - vintage Stephen King - the casting is excellent and the narrative, if somewhat formulaic per the needs of TV drama, is still gripping. Sure, there are gratuitous murders by the bucketload, more deus ex machina's than you can shake a stick at and the whole black egg thing is a little too close to the 2001-A-Space-Odyssey-bone, i.e the monoliths,,,not the mention the falling pink stars,,,which may be a metaphor for something,,,perhaps the disgracing of gay celebrities,,,I’ve no idea. But please, FFS it's all just good old fashioned Spielbergian fun. Blabbering on about dialogue and exposition and characterisation and just rubbishing the whole thing - with what reads increasingly like some sort of competition to shower it with the worst insults - kinda misses the point. This isn’t War and Peace. It’s (The) Cube, people. With pink stars. And eggs.… Expand
  29. pguizze
    Oct 14, 2015
    1
    Started well and finished awfully stupid. The worse tv serie I saw since years.
    I understand why King left the serie in the middle.
    The 3rd season was full of of romance everywhere where it was supposed to be a sci-fi serie !
  30. bru-nonono
    Oct 22, 2015
    2
    I couldn't watch more than the first episode, which bored me so much. Nothing is natural nor subtle in the show, and situations which could have been realistic and simply grotesque.
  31. Mollomomo
    Apr 5, 2019
    2
    I had to make an account just to vent my frustration about how poorly executed this show is. After the first few episodes, it all quickly went downhill with generic plot twists, clichès and infuriating choices by the characters. I won't add spoilers but many many times i felt extreme frustration at their complete ineptitude and lack of common sense. Lazy, poor writing and very average soapI had to make an account just to vent my frustration about how poorly executed this show is. After the first few episodes, it all quickly went downhill with generic plot twists, clichès and infuriating choices by the characters. I won't add spoilers but many many times i felt extreme frustration at their complete ineptitude and lack of common sense. Lazy, poor writing and very average soap opera photography. Had this ended at the end of season 2, at least it might make some sense. Had to stop at season 3, it's just too painful to watch anymore.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best TV Season of 2013
5
#5 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013
36
#36 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Jun 24, 2013
    80
    Not only is it creepy, suspenseful and full of splendid special effects, veteran actors and fresh young faces, but it's laced with big thoughts about environmentalism and the future of the planet.
    Read full review
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jun 24, 2013
    70
    You don't immediately sense how all of the characters are connected or how they might eventually become connected--most of the pilot is scene-setting and mood-building--but what's onscreen is compelling.
    Read full review
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Jun 24, 2013
    70
    Based on just one episode, it’s hard to tell how the series will unfold, but the mood, threatening, uneasy, a little kinky, is there, and that just might be enough.
    Read full review
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