Under the Dome - Episode 1.09 - The Fourth Hand - Review

There were some things to like and a lot of things to hate in this weeks episode of Under the Dome titled ''The Fourth Hand''. Even a re-watch couldn't help an episode that showcased both the worst and the best Under the Dome has to offer. 

Let's start with Maxine (played by Natalie Zea), who turns out to be the mastermind behind the drugs scheme Big Jim (played by Dean Norris) and the reverend were running. And has some ties to Barbie (played by Mike Vogel) as well. So where was she all this time? Well she was hiding...Until what?! A freaking dome can down around you, but hey, let's keep calm and wait until it's plot convenient to come out of hiding. With everything that has happened, the dome, the fire, the freaking missile, the looting and in a town were everyone knows everyone, it makes no sense whatsoever to be in hiding that long. 

And it spawned a few terrific scenes with Max, Barbie and Big Jim, but I couldn't get over the sheer ludicrousness of the situation. I was able to appreciate these scenes better on second viewing and watching Big Jim back off with his tail between his legs was fun to see. Of course, Max knows about all Jim and Barbie's secrets, because she has been following them. Yes, that was what she said. I'm not even touching that, because you already know how ridiculous that sounds. So, I'm fully expecting Max to hold this over their heads and get them to do whatever she wants them to do. 

That story line could be good, but it's been done to death. And it'll only last until Big Jim decides he has had enough and kills her anyway. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Everyone turning in their weapons was apparently her idea as well and it worked. With the exception being Ted (played by Raheem Babalola), so Big Jim and Barbie set off to get his guns. Nothing really happened except that they managed to talk him down, pull the grenade out of his hands of course. That's not meant as a knock on the story, even if it was predictable, because I liked the distrust Barbie and sheriff Linda (played by Natalie Martinez) are showing over Big Jim.

The other big story this episode, the miniature dome going missing, stumbled and faltered throughout the episode as well. Julia (played by Rachelle Lefevre) took Barbie to see the miniature dome, which Barbie couldn't fathom. Really Barbie? You saw a cow split in half by the dome coming down and a plane crash into it, but this is ''kinda out there''? 

When they arrived at the site of the miniature dome it turns out that it is gone. Then more trouble started, Julia claimed there had to be a rational explanation for it. Uh, what? You're trapped inside a mysterious dome, a miniature dome appeared and now it's missing. All of these completely irrational things, but you're sure there is a rational explanation for it? Okay, then. 

So turns out that Joe (played by Colin Ford) was the one that 'must have' moved it, after Angie (played by Britt Robertson) witnessed him going outside in a zombie-like state. She didn't stop him, the loving sister who went searching for Joe the minute Big Jim set her free and later included Joe in her deal with Big Jim didn't stop him. I don't even... So Joe, rightfully, questions her about it, asking her if she didn't think that was weird. She answers with this quote; ''What isn't these days?. That's your excuse? That. Is. Your. Excuse?! 

Also, Norrie (played by Mackenzie Lintz) had to pitch in with this gem of a quote to finish the conversation: ''Can't argue with that.''. I wished I had a face left to facepalm. 

In the end it did lead to a very intriguing scene that showed the miniature dome to be a sphere and it required fourth hands to do something. I'm guessing with the fourth hand found it will unlock, releasing the egg. What it does, nobody knows at this point. 

What everyone can see coming is that Junior (played by Alexander Koch) will be the fourth hand required. I hope they don't go that route, but with their forced attempt to make Junior likeable in this episode I fear the worst. Junior, in my eyes, is not a redeemable character at this point. I cringed every time he and Angie are together. His whole demeanor screams psycho around her and I hated it when she came to see him. If he stays around the writers have a big job to do in salvaging this character.  

I might seem overly negative on the episode, the directing and acting was good as usual. And there were also some good moments. A couple of which I highlighted above, but there was also sheriff Linda's investigation into the drugs operation which was a good thing. I hope she won't let herself be stonewalled by Big Jim, who probably is the authority figure she will report this too. 

In the end the bad did outweigh the good for me, this episode was hard to enjoy unless you enjoy pole-vaulting over plot holes and leaps in logic. 

5/10

Pascal Buijnsters Pascal's a Dutchman and has been a longtime commentator on SpoilerTV and started out as a writer for SpoilerTV last year. He is quite a TV addict and writes for a local, Dutch, newspaper. Next to that he's into soccer for his local team, a gamer and a fanatical swimmer. He writes previews and reviews for SpoilerTV for a variety of shows. Main Account - All Shows