TV REVIEW: Under the Dome Review: Butterflies of Biblical Proportions

In the latest installment of Under the Dome, an infestation is threatening our Dome-covered peeps in Chester’s Mill. It’s a huge hive, nest, gaggle, whatever, of butterfly eggs on the town’s crops threatening their lone food source. In addition to the swarm of butterflies creating havoc, we witness the search for a killer, romance rolling on, extreme crop dusting, and Big Jim’s continued metamorphosis. This one has more activity than those fluttering butterfly wings; let’s take a look.

The butterflies are literally everywhere in this one. Mystery girl is running in the woods looking like she’s running from an ax murderer. Nope, just a butterfly.

Junior goes to unlock the high school by fumbling around in the dark with his flashlight. That darn elusive light switch. He comes across Angie’s dead body covered in blood… and butterflies!

Barbie and Julia are in bed because the Dome is not going to stop their sexy time. Those darn butterflies might. The insects are swarming outside the bedroom window, covering it. Julia is mesmerized because remember, she’s the Monarch.

Pictured Dean Norris as James “Big Jim” Rennie Photo: Brownie Harris/CBS

The butterfly connection continues with Joe and Norrie kissing in the forest. I like the way no one lets the Dome cut into getting a little action. These are a strong people. The teen lovebirds are hit with, wait for it, butterflies. The dead variety. Gross. They stumble upon the sleeping mystery teen from last week, the one in the high school when Angie was killed. More on that in a bit.

What is with all these butterflies? Science teacher, Rebecca, is leaving for work when she notices something strange in her garden. A bunch of caterpillars are attacking her homegrown veggies. The look of horror on her face says these are no ordinary bugs.

Meanwhile, Big Jim continues on his redemption road, telling a diner patron that it was “the good Lord” that saved them. She says it was him, and he doesn’t argue too much. It looks like the evil is still sucked out. Science teacher shows up to notify Jim that “the magnetic fluctuations caused the butterfly reproductive cycle to accelerate.”

“Killer butterfly, huh?” asks Big Jim unimpressed.

She explains this tricky science in laymen’s terms that even the car salesman will understand. Half their crops are infested with caterpillars (she must have checked out all the crops). In other words, it is attack of the very, very, very hungry caterpillar.

The other major storyline of the night is the crack team of investigation going on into the murder of Angie. Junior is a mess with dad telling him, “You have to let her go, son. It’s time for the numbness to wear off. I need you to tell me you didn’t do this.” That was about ten minutes after little one found out the girl he loved is dead. Sensitive father of the year award is not coming your way, Big Jim. First, you tell son to suck it up, then you accuse him of the murder.

Junior throws it back in dad’s face, accusing him of the murder. Sticks and stones, Jim.

Thankfully, Junior isn’t the only cop in town. Hey Mr. DJ Phil was promoted to Deputy Dog to fill the Linda vacancy. He even gets to arrest someone this week. More on that when we get to mystery girl talk.

Barbie and Big Jim investigate the crime scene, adding CSI to the resume, and find a bloody shoe print they determine is that of a young girl. It’s like DNA only better.

Joe finally discovers that his sister is dead and loses it, acting more like Junior as “Infestation” builds. He says the person who murdered Angie will “pay” threatening to kill the guilty. Norrie tells him about the bloody shoe print. He puts two and two together and decides it must be the mystery teen.

Pictured Mike Vogel as Dale “šBarbie” Barbara Photo: Brownie Harris/CBS

Mystery girl is resting nicely under the watchful eye of Julia and even pinky promises that she had nothing to do with Angie’s demise. A few minutes later, our redhead finds herself at Sam’s doorstep again. Oh, how did that happen? Julia pretends she needs information on the mystery girl. He lets her in (plan coming together) and he admits there was someone he should’ve protected once, his sister, Big Jim’s wife. “You’re related to Big Jim?” asks Julia, a disgusted look on her face. This could be a deal breaker, cute Sam. He shows her a picture his sister drew twenty years ago … it’s a sketch of the mystery teen. The plot thickens.

Science teacher channels her inner Drew Barrymore, fire-starting a huge patch of crops. She says she’s trying to save what they have left from the locust, I mean the hungry caterpillars. She says that the magnetism altered their feeding patterns making the caterpillars eat everything not just milkweed. Makes sense, if you squint your eyes really tight.

“This is a test,” says Big Jim. “The first test of many. I’m guessing the Dome wants me to prove myself.” Barbie says it isn’t about you buddy. Jim proposes crop dusting a pesticide as a solution, and he’s got the small plane and pilot’s license to do it. The boys fight over who will fly the plane with Barbie sneaking to the controls and taking off.

Barbie is flying around like Snoopy, with the same helmet, I think. He grazes the Dome and is out of fuel even though he’s been in the air less than ten minutes when Big Jim saves the day. He tells our hero about a super secret back up fuel switch. Barbie lands safely thanking Jim profusely once back on land. Can this be a new bromance brewing? Big Jarbie has arrived.

Meanwhile, the search for clues leading to the killer continues. Julia calls on Sam to inspect Angie’s body because he was an EMT in a previous life. He spews technical paramedic terms like libidity and notices big man hand prints on her body. It’s a clue! Junior is also there holding Angie’s hand, sinking further into despair. He says that the magnetism messed his mind up. Oh, I think what happened to your brain occurred way before last week, Little Jim. Junior admits to his uncle that he doesn’t remember anything about last night; he was too drunk.

Back to mystery girl. DJ Cop Phil arrests her and hauls her to jail. Junior, Joe, and Norrie confront the teen, accusing her of killing their friend. Junior has a gun but can’t shoot her. Joe grabs the gun and is about to kill her when Julia and Sam rush in explaining that man hand prints trump bloody girl shoe prints. Joe lowers the gun dramatically.

Pictured (L-R) Dean Norris as James “šBig Jim” Rennie and Alexander Koch as Junior Rennie. Photo: Brownie Harris/CBS

Flash to the funeral of Angie … Big Jim is playing clergyman, eulogizing the young girl. Pilot, preacher, candlestick maker? He says “We need to be there for each other.”  “Amen!” responds the townspeople to the Chosen One.

He says he only had faith in one thing, that he could sell a car to anyone. “In the last few days we’ve had a plague. We are being tested. I found my faith. We are all here for a reason. It’s not about me. We have to pull together.” Preach, Big Jim.

Rebecca is smitten with the kinder, gentler Jim. She has a little worship eyes aimed squarely on the big one. She looks at Barbie with disgust telling her Jimbo that the town thinks he saved them with that fancy crop dusting. She knows better. Another thing she knows? That there are “too many people here for our limited resources. We can’t all survive.” Uh, oh. First it was water, now it’s food. Can Lord of the Flies be far off?

In the final scene of the night, Junior finds Angie’s missing bracelet in the jail cell he sleeps in. He goes to Uncle Sam’s cabin. “I think I killed Angie.”

This one ventured down the biblical path making reference to tests and infestations. It preached relying on each other and loving thy neighbor. Big Jim is playing the role of savior  (for now) while the Dome is keeping all the residents of Chester’s Mill fighting for survival. What do you think of season two? Is the Dome stronger than ever or has its lights dimmed?

Next week promises more shenanigans, with blood rain and a special guest appearance by Dwight Yoakam.

Under the Dome airs on CBS on Mondays at 10 pm.

Best Dome Lines of the Night:

Norrie says, “I thought the Big Jim slumber party was just a nightmare.” and “Looks like the nightmare on Elm Street continues.” after they slept at Jim’s house.

Julia tells Sam, “Everyone around me is trapped in Big Jim’s orbit.”

After learning of Angie’s death, Joe asks, “Somebody killed her? Why?”

Joe has another gem, telling Norrie, “She’s dead. Don’t try to cheer me up!”

Big Jim on his transformation, “Meet the new Big Jim!”