[can’t pitch the story without spoiling the end of the first episode !]
Cal Bradford, President of the United States of America, has been murdered. This crime would already have been extraordinary three years ago, before the end of the world. But here, in a bunker under video surveillance, where a few gazillionaires think they’re protected from everything, it’s inconceivable. This is why the authorities in charge decided to lie to the 25,000 residents. After all, they’re pretending to have a normal life, while outside, the world has been destroyed. Denial has become a way of life, so one more lie is probably best to avoid panic.
Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond, head of a group of ultra-rich people, is behind the project. While scientists predicted a chain of cataclysms, she put together a team capable of building an underground city, making it self-sufficient and choosing its residents. Everything has been designed to give a sense of normalcy: fake clouds, recorded insect noises, a restaurant with vegetarian meat. If necessary, a psychiatrist is available. And just in case, a security team too…
Xavier Collins, the agent in charge of the President’s security, discovered the body and can’t let the crime go unpunished. He leads his own investigation, at the risk of destabilizing the small, privileged community.
Purgatory…
There are some good elements in this series. Its aesthetics, first of all, with warm beige colors that reinforce the feeling of a false sweetness of life. The small town is reminiscent of “the village” (an old 1960s series!). The decor captures the feeling of suffocation, despite the luxury and calm. Then there’s James Marsden, charismatic as the lonely presiden. In season 2, the charsimatic leaders is Link, at the head of outside survivors.
In both season, I was excruciatingly bored during the first episodes, gradually finding interest as the series drew to a close. From my point of view, it’s a shame that the plot doesn’t really progress until the last five minutes of the episodes! I also find that overusing flashbacks is no substitute for good storytelling.
In season 1, the main characters are cold and monumentally selfish. Sinatra asks if she’s a monster? Definitely, yes. A powerful woman behind the scenes, she reveals her full complexity in Season 2. Collins makes a big deal of the fact that his wife died on the day of the cataclysm. Hey man, billions of people died, sorry for you but look a little further than your navel.
Split between the outside world and the Dome, Season 2 offers an interesting contrast and a conclusion that mirrors that of Season 1. Despite the show’s slow pacing, the plot offers an interesting exploration of the factors and consequences of the struggle for survival. I’ll be watching Season 3.
2 seasons, 17 episodes (50 mn), 2025 – , on Disney+
Created by Dan Fogelman, WITH :
- Collin’s family : Sterling K. Brown as Agent Xavier Collins, Aliyah Mastin as Presley, Percy Drags IV as James, Enuka Okuma as Teri
- Bradford and Redmond’s families : James Marsden as President Cal Bradford (season 1), Charlie Evans as Jeremy Bradford, Julianne Nicholson (The red road) as Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (s. 1-2), Kate Godfrey as Hadley, Tuc Watkins as Tim
- Survivors inside the dome : Krys Marshall as Special Agent in Charge Nicole Robinson, Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi, Nicole Brydon Bloom as Agent Jane Driscoll, Jon Beavers as Agent William “Billy” Pace (s. 1), Matt Malloy as Henry Baines (s. 1-2)
- Survivors outside the dome :
- Thomas Doherty as Dylan / Link, Shailene Woodley as Annie (s. 2), Michael McGrady as Geiger (s. 2), Cameron Britton as Gary (s. 2)