From the first pages of Stephen King’s Under the Dome, I started to feel that tingly thrill of anticipation that I used to get from watching LOST. Maybe it’s the fact that (spoiler alert!) both stories begin with a plane crash. Or maybe it’s because I knew that King was a big fan of the show. Like LOST, King’s novel offers an amalgam of mystery, supernatural wonder, and suspense—brought to life by a group of indelible characters who mix it up in their new isolated world.
Uncle Stevie also tosses in some overt nods to LOST. Reverend Lester Coggins describes God, as “he who traveled as a pillar of smoke by day” (p. 159). When Rusty can’t sleep, his mind wanders to Desmond, whom he misquotes as saying: “Don’t mistake coincidence for fate” (p. 285). It was actually Mr. Eko who said that. Later Locke repeats the phrase, and Jack says it again in the final season. (Still, Losties will note that Desmond played several very key and ‘fateful’ roles in the LOST journey.)
This crux of coincidence versus fate was a driving force in LOST and a major point of friction among the characters, notably Locke and Jack. With this quote, King sets this up nicely as a similar theme in Under the Dome. By small circumstance, people got trapped in or outside. Barbie just missed a ride south, the Fire Department was away at a parade, and even families are divided.
I also jumped each time Lissa the librarian fiddled with her ankh necklace (p. 430). The Egyptian ankh (known as the key to life or the key to the Nile) is a repeated symbol in LOST (the Hatch counter; the statue; Jacob gives one to Hurley). However, I couldn’t quite figure this reference out in Under the Dome. Unlike Jacob or Hurley, Lissa doesn’t play a significant role in the fate of those trapped, nor is she one of the more developed characters.
Also, and this may just be me, I wondered if Horace the corgi was named for Horace on LOST? The story is being told from Horace’s point-of-view when we get the most tantalizing LOST tidbit, that Andrea often sat “watching shows like The Hunted Ones (a clever sequel to Lost)” (p.694). I dropped my book (really!) and immediately began to Google, hoping Uncle Stevie had some intel on more LOST. But alas, this is only a fiction, a wish perhaps, on his part.
But now we get Under the Dome on TV. Could this be the heir apparent to LOST? Creator Brian K. Vaughn and Exec Producer Jack Bender are both LOST alums. King is also deeply involved and has cited Game of Thrones as an example of their approach.
I was a bit surprised that the format is a not a miniseries, but an ongoing show. After all, it was King who challenged the LOST team to end the show at its peak—regardless of ratings. They took that message to heart and worked out a deal with ABC to conclude LOST at the end of the sixth season.
Hopefully, King, Vaughn, and Bender will ultimately follow King’s own advice. Meanwhile, there were approximately 500 pages cut from the original draft of the novel, so there are plenty of new story lines to explore.
Indeed, the pilot opened with so many changes from the novel that those of us who read the book found ourselves ‘lost.’ (I’m intrigued, but there has been such an outcry, that King has written a response to his Constant Reader.) Extra fun though, imho, Frank Lapidus is reincarnated as Sheriff Duke Perkins. My hopes are high for Under the Dome on TV. Now if only they would somehow bring in Desmond!
Are you watching Under the Dome on TV? What do you think?
#DomeAlong
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I’m Going Under the Dome for a Summer Readalong!
Under the Dome Readathon Sign-up
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Your enthusiasm really makes me want to check out the book even more. Thanks!
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I picked up the book b/c of the group readalong and I have to say that I really liked it! The readalong goes thru July 27 if you are interested in joining. 🙂
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I think I would fall behind but I’ll definitely pick it up soon. Hope you’re enjoying.
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I didn’t know that the series was based off of the book. I haven’t watched the series now I want to. I wonder if it’ll be like Haven and tie in other works of his or if it’ll follow the book more closely. I’ll also have to read more of the book now. I saw it at Barnes and Noble but couldn’t buy it.
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Stephen King says they are going to play around so maybe will tie in with his other works. I never saw Haven but sounds interesting!
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Haven is actually really good, but it took one of his more dull books (in my opinion) and added a twist of syfy (as only syfy can) to it by making references to his other books and things. It is really interesting.
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Wow! I didn’t catch any of the Lost references when I read this. That’s not surprising though, since I didn’t watch Lost, ha ha. But now I want to!
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I didn’t realize that there were 500 pages cut from Under the Dome. Though with King usually there are lots of pages cut. Maybe someday there will be an uncut release of this book like the Stand.
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The original draft was over 1,500 pages. He talks a bit about his editor reshaping this in the afterward. I didn’t know there were two versions of the Stand. (Still need to read that!) But maybe the tv show will generate interest in the “uncut” novel.
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