I read some comments in other sites where people were disapointed about the solution. Begging. They think it was too easy and ask why no one had thought of it before. On the other hand, I think that it is very difficult to think straight when facing abnormal situations, like being inside a dome, and much more so when seeing these beings so totally beyond any concepts we may be able to handle. Fear, hate, impotence (including Norrie's questioning, wanting an explanation). I can understand feeling this. But stopping to think "I should ask them to please stop" is not something I would see as a normal reaction, so I am fine with it not being the first option.
Others thought the good guys did not do anything, or mentioned plans but did not used them later, or tried things (like the evidence against Big Jim or the gamble with the Geiger counter) that were "dropped" later). Again, I had no problem with this. They were either plans that failed (the evidence that fell into Andrea's hands) or insurance plans (the Geiger counter, in case Big Jim tried to find their hideout). The explosion cut everyone's plans short. But I think it is important that the characters are shown planning more things (even if they never get the chance to do them), or otherwise they would just have sat there, waiting for the explosion.
Actually, if the explosion had happened some time later, the heroes might have been too far from the Dome to survive. Barbie was no longer comfortable staying so close to the generator, and had suggested leaving. The explosion occured when they were having lunch, so they were still close enough to be saved by the fans.
One person even commented about all the dreams, saying they served no purpose at all. That one just made me roll my eyes. Why does he think giant fans were available at the right time? If not for these premonitions, everyone would have died right after the air was made unbreathable.
At one point, right after the chaos at the town meeting, I thought Carter would just kill Chief Randolph and Big Jim, and become the "big bad" (a more action oriented one than Big Jim, who had bad health). It was a good thing he didn't; I liked how he decided he wanted to be Big Jim's man, only to realize what a pathetic little man "Big" Jim really was. Even if Rennie never realized this, his final fall from grace in Carter's eyes was a strong point for me.