Under the Dome

[Seed]

Does Dale Barbara remind anyone else of Stu Redman?

[Dustin]

Seed wrote: "Does Dale Barbara remind anyone else of Stu Redman?"

No, why?

[Lorena]

Donald wrote: "SERIES: Dale Barbara's character starts off the series burying a body of a man he supposedly killed, then getting in his car with his gun and trying to haul it out of town but misses when the dome ..."
If what you say is true, then I kind of don't want to watch the series. I love King's books - I'm a little fanatic about them - and this twists in the plot are making me grind my teeth. They are changing too much and making everything worse - it's only my opinion though - . I mean: Barbie is best the way he is, the novel would not be the same without Rusty and the nauseating idea that Joe might be RELATED to Angie is well.. yuck!
Indeed, I'm not going to bother with this mini-series. It will ruin the charm that the book has left behind.

[Lorena]

Angie wrote: "berrybuzz wrote: "***********Sorta/Kinda/Maybe a Spoiler**********

Now I'm a fan of the re-occurring characters, towns, and occasional shared history that happens in King's books, but did the ref..."

I think it was around the first chapters, Dale Barbara being the one to "throw the pill"... He said something like: " This wasn't an experiment of the army that got out of control - reference to The Mist - even if the US-Army was so advanced to make a machine that created such things." that's the reference

[David]

I love this book and I actually don't mind the fact that they changed things up. I mean, King gave them permission to do so so it wouldn't be the same story. I am kind of disappointed in the way some of the beloved characters turned out though, but as a whole I do enjoy the miniseries and it is a lot better of adaptions than most of movies and miniseries based off of King's books.

[Dustin]

David wrote: "I love this book and I actually don't mind the fact that they changed things up. I mean, King gave them permission to do so so it wouldn't be the same story. I am kind of disappointed in the way so..."

I love your outlook, David! Keep it up, my friend!

[Judy]

I'm treating this a lot like I've been treating the latest Star Trek movies--it's an alternate world version where you may recognize various situations and characters, but everything else is different.

--SPOILER--

(don't know the correct way to make this cut)

I think having Junior as just a plain ole psychopath holding Angie is an interesting twist, and still kind of fits with his general craziness without having to include things like necrophilia, which probably wouldn't play well on network TV. Having Norrie as an out-of-towner is also an interesting twist. I just have to wonder how high the death toll will get in this scenario.

[Donald]

Seed wrote: "Does Dale Barbara remind anyone else of Stu Redman?"

Yes, definitely echoes of Stuart there.

[Pamela]

I love Stephen Kings books. And feel a bit betrayed as a fan that he would change his story to please the writers and directors. He must be getting a load of money for doing it. He had said in a letter to his fans that we should look at the movie as a alternate reality of the book. Ehh whatever. I stopped watching the first episode 30 min into it. I'd seen enough even in that short of time. I also think they cast the characters way too young compared to the book. In order to catch the younger crowd. I am disappointed but I will always have the best version the book itself.

[Dustin]

Pamela wrote: "I love Stephen Kings books. And feel a bit betrayed as a fan that he would change his story to please the writers and directors. He must be getting a load of money for doing it. He had said in a..."

Exactly. We'll always have King's brilliant (IMO) novel, nothing will ever compare to that.

[Leland]

We watched both episodes over the weekend on Amazon. (We don't have network TV) I thought it was a fine interpretation. I don't know where on earth they are going with Barbie though.

(view spoiler)[ And I sure felt bad for that poor cow (hide spoiler)]

UTD is one of my favorite books though.

[Stephen]

I thought it was terrible...

[Judy]

Sigh--episode 3, and it's already losing steam. The book had a lot more tension.

[Kathryn]

Judy, I agree. This was an adrenaline-fueled book. I'm not feeling that in the show.

[✿ ♥ Heather ♥ ✿]

I gave up on the show after 2 episodes. If others say it improves I might give it a go again. Book so much better !

[Squire]

It does seem to be losing steam, but I'll stick with it. I don't watch much television anyway, so once a week is not a big deal. Besides, when it's done, I head off for work, so I'll stick with it.

[Jason]

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining (even though I will be), but Big Jim doesn't seem at all sadistic enough. His character in the novel came across like someone who would torture a kitten, and in this version he just seems like.... i don't know, he's just there for the ride. Huh, my two cents anyway.

[Hans]

I think this book is one of Mr Kings better works despite the end of it. And the creepiness, the meanness, the ugliness, in other words; showing the worst (and the best) in us, is what make me read his books. And I think it is impossible to make those images into a TV series unless it is shown in the middle of the night with a police officer and a shrink to watch over you. So, with that in mind, the existing TV show becomes an other story with ingredients from the book, and must be judged as that, and not as a show true to the book. I have not read any reviews of this show beside what's written here, but I can very well imagine that people who are not into "gore stuff" (read normal people) actually might like the series.

[Pickle]

im enjoying it so far...

[Dustin]

Jason wrote: "I don't want to sound like I'm complaining (even though I will be), but Big Jim doesn't seem at all sadistic enough. His character in the novel came across like someone who would torture a kitten, ..."

Aside from the changes, are you enjoying the show so far, Jason?

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Lorena wrote: "Angie wrote: "berrybuzz wrote: "***********Sorta/Kinda/Maybe a Spoiler**********

Now I'm a fan of the re-occurring characters, towns, and occasional shared history that happens in King's books, b..."

OOHHH! thanks!!

[Jason]

Dustin wrote: "Jason wrote: "I don't want to sound like I'm complaining (even though I will be), but Big Jim doesn't seem at all sadistic enough. His character in the novel came across like someone who would tort..."

I am Dustin, it has that very King feel to it. I find with most King movie/tv versions they almost have a different light and feel to them. As if they're using different filters to make it seem... I don't know, campy i guess. I think I enjoy them more for things like that.

[Dustin]

Well good, I'm happy to hear that!:)

[Dustin]

James wrote: "A friend of mine said she can't seem to get through the book because it is so long. Yet, it interested her enough to watch the mini series. Go figure"

Have you read it, James? I didn't find UTD to be all that intimidating, really.. then again, I actually prefer longer books!

[Donald]

Hans Erik wrote: "I think this book is one of Mr Kings better works despite the end of it. And the creepiness, the meanness, the ugliness, in other words; showing the worst (and the best) in us, is what make me read..."

Maybe not the best analogy, but if 'Gone with the Wind' had been made into a film, in which Ashley Wilkes was a playboy and womanizer who seduced Scarlett and ruined her marriage to Rhett, while Melanie proved herself, in the end, to be a vindictive witch who wanted Rhett all along?

Would we as the fans STILL be saying "judge the film on its own merits, not by the book" is 'GWTW' had come out like the above? Because that is taking the same kind of liberties with the characters as King's let CBS do with his novel.

[Adam]

I agree with Dustin. I had to challenge myself to read at a slower pace so I didn't race to the end too quickly. Stephen King novels should be savored. Now, I did find IT to be a daunting endeavor for the first couple of hundred pages, but UTD is paced perfectly. I personally love the book and the show. Having seen enough of the film adaptations of his work, I am always prepared for the "'liberties" that will be taken with them. I am enjoying the show because of the new twists. I guess I am not so much the purist I thought I was.

[Hans]

Donald wrote: "Hans Erik wrote: "I think this book is one of Mr Kings better works despite the end of it. And the creepiness, the meanness, the ugliness, in other words; showing the worst (and the best) in us, is..."

I get your point. But as my friend Logan Ninefingers would have said: "You got to be realistic" :-)

[Squire]

Adam wrote: "...but UTD is paced perfectly"

I completely agree, Adam. UTD is one of his best books as far as pacing is concerned. And I'm glad you're enjoying the series. At times, it seems dumbed down for TV, but other times, I think "Wow! That was cool. and totally unexpected. Was that in the book?"

[Glen]

Okay I was skeptical and turned off for the first couple episodes but tonight's episode has turned me around. Yes it's vastly changed for certain characters and the story HAS changed but, my bitterness to not following the book has softened and I'm starting to enjoy this series more than I would have expected. Interesting as I was prepared to write it off. I support King's work though and felt it should have a chance and its starting to feel like I won't be let down now. Glad to say it!

[Squire]

Glad to hear that. I was blown away by the scene in the clinic in episode 4. I really liked where that one went. Looking forward to more!

[Casey]

Personally, I'm very disappointed. It is supposed to be an adaptation of Under the Dome not The Stand (after episode 4, that's what it feels like). plus, I'm angry that there is no Rusty Everett, who was my favorite character. Of course I will continue to watch it, but I'm skeptical.

[Novia]

I am with Casey...the characters are all being changed to a point of annoying. I am still watching it but not sure if I will enjoy it the more the episode goes

[Judy]

Somebody said it would have been better with all new characters and just a similar situation. Which is pretty much what it feels like anyways--I barely recognize the characters. Still, I find it amusing for the moment. Not nearly as good as the book, but just slightly amusing.

[Summer]

Casey wrote: "I'm angry that there is no Rusty Everett, who was my favorite character."

I miss Rusty, too. What's making it hardest for me to watch, though, is that there's no clear hero. I need someone to root for, but for now I'm finding just about everyone but Scarecrow Joe pretty unlikable.

[Kathryn]

Esse, I think that's also my problem with the show. In the book, I rooted for Barbie because he was one of the heroes, and now, since they've changed him, it makes me wonder where they are taking this story.

Also, the whole thing with Angie and what Big Jim did this past week in the show, makes me curious to know where they are taking that, too. However, I think the show is starting to lose its interest in me. I'm going to keep watching because I want to see what happens, and there is nothing else on Monday nights.

[Leland]

I think I would have enjoyed the show a lot more if I hadn't read the book.

[Squire]

I look at the dichotomy between the book and the TV series as a an experiment on the same level as Desperation/The Regulators. I'm enjoying the differences and am looking forward to see where King takes this. The first episode was very good, but the second two fell into a standard TV fare where relationships and postitions had to be established. But the last two episodes I found to be the best yet.

This spoiler is merely my current mindset on the matter. But you still may not want to view it.

(view spoiler)[ Knowing King's penchant for sterotyped religious villians, something tells me that the person who set this thing in motion was killed by Big Jim at the end of episode 5. (hide spoiler)]

[Jacob]

I haven't seen the newest episode, waiting for it to go up on Amazon Prime...which it should be now. I like it so far, it's different than what I expected, and I'm tempted to check out the novel just to see how things are different.

[David]

I heard that there will be a different ending then the book.
It was ok'ed by stephen King...if the show is a hit..the commercials say 40 million people are watching..it will carry on to next year until the rating dropped. Just look at it as a very loosely adapted version of a town that gets a dome over it.
I recommend reading the book..there are no spoilers seeing as it is a different story...There is a lot worse on tv that you could be wasting your time on.
There is always Breaking Bad..coming soon!

[LizzyB]

Ummm... Did anyone else just hear that CBS renewed UTD for a 2nd Season? And Mr. King is going to be writing the Season Premiere?
I've been watching the series and keeping an open mind, but, really? A 2nd Season? I don't like it. Unless it's going to be like Jericho and end with Season 2...
People on the forums are calling Stephen King a "sell out" - That seems kind of harsh, but I'd like to hear some opinions on it from this group...

[David]

How can he be a sell out?

Under the dome came out as a novel told a story and everyone loved it.

Under the dome came out as a tv show about people living under a dome..many people have already commented on how unlike the book it is..that is because it is not the book..it just shares the same premise and title.

[Leland]

I agree. If S.K. has felt inspired enough by the direction that the television show has taken that he now feels the inspiration for a new story. I call that fine and good.

King owes us nothing.

[Kit★]

I don't get how it makes him a sell-out either. It was announced from the get-go that if the show was successful there were plans to make it more than one season. I've been watching, looking forward to tonight's episode. Sure it's not an exact adaptation of the book, but it's SK's story and he can do what he wants with it.

[LizzyB]

Haha. Ok, phew! Glad to see fellow fans disagree with this "sell-out" position as well - people talk a lot of random garbage on these sites that have no basis on anything...

I LIKE the fact that it's not an Exact adaptation - makes it more interesting when I don't know what's going to happen next AND it makes the book all the more special for those of us that took/take the time to read it! Plus, the fact that King is directly involved is all we could hope to ask for!

Still, I wonder how many "seasons" you can get out of a small town being trapped under a dome. It's not like you have the opportunity to bring in new characters (I'm sure SOME are hiding out) and it'll be that more imperative to keep the same actors involved as time goes on. They did say early on that they were nowhere near done with the story line with the first 13 episodes and still had a lot of "story" they wanted to bring to the table, so it being renewed is a definite plus - but, I still hope they leave room for it to actually "end" without it just being "cancelled"!

[Josephine]

I enjoyed it, and don't regret the investment in time. As always, King excels in characters, and here, there are so many characters! That might be my one criticism. Unlike The Stand, where you really get to know the characters, I never felt I got to know any character in Under the Dome intimately. But, having said that, only SK could take a ridiculous concept (a "what if" concept) and make it feel real and relevant and entertaining. He has the unique ability to move the reader into immediate suspended disbelief, no matter how silly the concept (Crichton is good at this too (Jurassic Park, Andromeda Strain, etc) just not as good a writer, IMHO). I would recommend Under The Dome without reservations. As for the ending, my only disappointment was I had guessed the ending within about 200 pages (actually, virtually since the first scene). I held out hope that it would be something else. Still, I gave it four stars and enjoyed it immensely.

[Jeff]

Under the Dome was immensely enteraining and suspenseful. However, the villians were stock characters at best.

[Michelle]

I finally finished this book after taking almost three months to get through it as a mix of reading and listening to the audio and I kind of feel a little lost now that it's finally over :-(
I have to say this is definitely one of my favourite King novels and even though the ending wasn't anything like I was expecting I still enjoyed the entire story immensely.
The book is certainly a hell of a lot better than the TV series too!

[Doreen]

Hi, my name is Doreen and I just finished reading this book this morning. What a roller-coaster ride through out! Stephen King has never loosed his edge! I just loved it!!

[Timothy]

So how many have watched season 1 of the show?

[Squire]

I have watched it, also. A lot of the changes King made to the story were ones I had wished for when reading the book. Others I didn't see coming. Still others gave me WF moments.

Overall, I liked it.