TV REVIEW: Under the Dome Goes Into Deep Freeze with “Black Ice”

The egg is a zapping machine, shocking anyone who touches it in the latest Dome installment “Black Ice.”

Last week it was thrown down the escape hatch or cliff, so now it rests on a playground outside of the Dome, and it’s obviously pissed off, glowing, shaking, and shocking.

An angry egg can only mean one thing in Domeland – trouble for those poor, tortured citizens of Chester’s Mill. I’m feeling another trial of “biblical proportions.” Let’s take a look.

The Polar Vortex Hits the Dome

Melanie and the egg are linked in some cosmic, Dome way. She’s screaming in the back of Junior’s car with Sam saying he’s losing her. It seems anything that’s done to the egg has a negative effect on throwback girl. Is it wrong to hope someone cracks that egg?

Meanwhile, Pauline and Big Jim argue. Barbie and Big Jim argue. “When you dropped that egg, you closed the passageway,” Barbie accuses. Jim says he thought they’d all get out. You thought wrong, Jimbo. Now everyone’s stuck with a new trial hitting tonight.

On to the main event… the crazy kids are out for a brisk walk in those falling temperatures. This is no changing of the seasons. The Dome walls are rotating, revolving, and science teacher Rebecca says it’s causing a huge temperature drop.

Pauline visits her old/young friend, Melanie. She’s not welcomed with open arms. Melanie says you were “my best friend who left me for dead.” Pauline fake cries, saying how sorry she is. She adds that it’s “ancient history.” I don’t think you can put murder under the ancient history category. Pauline’s definitely feeling that cold in her relationship with Melanie.

Ambulance Joyriding

Barbie and Julia are riding around in an ambulance (why?) when Barbie hits a patch of black ice and crashes. Julia’s leg is impaled with a metal rod and can’t go anywhere. Barbie decides they’ll stay in the ambo until help comes because they’ve got one candle giving out immense heat. Not to mention how romantic it is.

The glass inexplicably blows out letting in freezing temps and letting out what little hope they had. Julia begs Barbie to leave but he has a brainstorm. The cold will slow down the heartbeat, so he can pull the rod out without her bleeding to death. Wait, did Junior come up with this plan? Julia’s losing consciousness, but remember, that’s a good thing. Barbie pulls out the rod and carries off his love. He gets her to shelter and she looks better immediately. It worked!

Pictured (l-r) Colin Ford as Joe McAlister, Karla Crome as Rebecca Pine, and Mackenzie Lintz as Norrie Calvert-Hill Photo: Brownie Harris/CBS

Big Jim Sees a Pauline Opening

Big Jim makes himself useful by searching for fuel at the lake. Who does he run into? Lyle swimming around calling for help. Better late than never. Lyle talks end of the world and flames and it being beautiful. When Jim tells Pauline that her childhood friend’s been found, she’s unimpressed. One thing she is impressed with is Big Jim’s former football glory days. She reminisces about him prowess on the field and it seems Jim may get his family reunion after all. He admits, “I haven’t been the best husband or father.” Or car salesman, or sheriff, or person. He justifies his actions with, “Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for my family.”

This kinder gentler Pauline gives Jim a little hope in his quest for the perfect little family.

A Traitor Among Us

Joe discovers that Hunter, daddy Barbie’s tech nerd, is working for the other side. Norrie doesn’t have a clue and cries on nerd boy’s shoulder. Hunter is caught communicating with the men in black at the dome wall. He says he was forced to help them and he’s really on their side. It looks like he may be telling the truth.

The Big Thaw

A supersonic sound suddenly erupts in Chester’s Mill, signaling the Dome is done spinning. The latest trial seems to be over. Sunny temps are back just as suddenly as the cold set in. Not so fast Domeheads! Joe, Norrie, and Hunter lay a hand on the Dome and it starts contracting! Think walls closing in on you. Uh, oh.

Scenes for next week show Julia miraculously recovered and a Dome pushing in on the small town. Could this be it for Chester’s Mill?  Will the residents face more trials? Does Barbie’s hair ever fall out of place? We’ll discuss these and additional pressing matters next week. See you back here, same place, same time, same Dome problems.

Under the Dome airs Mondays on CBS at 10 p.m.