Mike Vogel stars in “Under the Dome”

What makes good television? Is it a focus on impeccable storytelling, character development or unsuspecting plot twists? If you're a fan of CBS's popular summer program "Under the Dome," then you could argue the answer is all three. Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, the show is filled with unexpected twists and turns and a host of budding characters whose adventures are told in such a way that keeps fans coming back for more. Season 3 of "Under the Dome" premieres Thursday, June 25, on CBS.

Through the two seasons so far, "Under the Dome" has developed a wacky sense of storytelling where the dots don't connect and major plot holes are left unexplained (not entirely unlike the author of the novel on which it's based). For instance, the show is entering its third season already, and the origins of the mysterious dome have yet to be explained, however it looks like that may be changing. Executive producers Tim Schlattmann and Neal Baer spoke with media at a CBS summer press event and explained how a bunch of loose ends will be tied up by season 3's end.

"Why was there 25 years to pass before the dome came down? What was in play 25 years ago that set all this in motion? That's one of the biggies we're going to address," stated Schlattmann. "You'll see how these puzzle pieces form a puzzle that may be different from what you thought it would be."

Following the sci-fi genre, "cryptic" seems to be a driving force for the showrunners. While the two acknowledge that they've taken fans through all sorts of catastrophes, they have assured fans that season 3 will be heavily character orientated. Puzzles and character development don't exactly mesh often, but when they do, there is a prime opportunity to create something great.

Perhaps this is what "Under the Dome" aims to do with the introduction of a new character: Christine Price, an anthropologist from Chester's Mills. Piggybacking on the theme of a fresh character who will make a strong impact, she'll be played by prime-time television veteran Marg Helgenberger ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"). Furthering the notion of mystery and character orientation, it turns out Helgenberger's character has been in Chester's Mills this entire time and is only now emerging to do her part.

"[She's] the new resident of Chester's Mill, and yet [she's] been there this whole time," said Baer. "That's the driving engine of this season: How is that even possible?"

So to recap: "Under the Dome" is three seasons in, the nature of the dome hasn't been explained and characters are slowly emerging from the woodwork. Regardless of being able to pull this off or not, it'll be well worth viewing to see in what direction the show heads.

"We promise you we will answer why the dome is there, but of course we're going to ask more questions," confirmed Baer, adding that they're going to "go further" in the third season.

Marg Helgenberger as seen in “Under the Dome”

If we're comparing the viewership between seasons 1 and 2, "going further" may be exactly what the show needs. The series kicked off with a bang two years ago, drawing roughly 13.5 million sets of eyes. Throughout the first season, the show averaged roughly 11.2 million viewers, with only one episode falling below 10 million.

Season 2, however, wasn't as kind. No stranger to the sophomore slump, the premiere episode captured the most eyeballs all season at about 9.4 million viewers and averaged 7.17 million viewers per episode, with the lowest number of watchers at 6.29 million.

Despite all the mysteries, one thing is certain: the main cast is returning in full force. Resident tough guy Dean Norris ("Breaking Bad") is back as James "Big Jim" Rennie, a town councilman and former car salesman who has appointed himself as leader of Chester's Mill. Opposite him is show protagonist Dale "Barbie" Barbara (Mike Vogel "Bates Motel"), a former U.S. Army captain who aims to provide sustainability and peace in Chester's Mill. Investigative journalist Julia Shumway (Rachelle Lefevre, "Twilight," 2008) returns after facing a life-changing decision that has steered the town and its people in an obscure direction.

As twists and turns abound, new characters come out of the woodwork and the storytelling gets ever wackier, season 3 of "Under the Dome" is looking to rebound after some disappointing viewership numbers from the previous season. The producers claim that where some pressing questions will get answers, others that are even stranger will be raised. Catch the season 3 premiere of "Under the Dome" when it airs Thursday, June 25, on CBS.