8FLiX Fandom Review
Lost in Space
Season 1
Netflix Series
by Nick Runyeard
April 10, 2018
edited for aesthetics: November 27, 2019
...in general
Lost in Space is a Netflix Original Series produced by Legendary Television.
The series is streaming worldwide on Netflix.
Seasons 1 features 10 episodes that run about an hour each. Season 2 premieres December 24, 2019.
Lost in Space stars Molly Parker (Maureen Robinson); Toby Stephens (John Robinson); Maxwell Jenkins (Will Robinson); Taylor Russell (Judy Robinson); Mina Sundwall (Penny Robinson); Ignacio Serricchio (Don West); Parker Posey (Dr. Smith / June Harris); Brian Steele (The Robot); Amelia Burstyn (Diane); Raza Jaffrey (Victor Dhar); Ajay Friese (Vijay Dhar); Sibongile Mlambo (Angela); Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Hiroki Watanabe); Kiki Sukezane (Aiko Watanabe); Yukari Komatsu (Naoko Watanabe); and Adam Greydon Reid (Peter Beckert).
For more information on who's in it, click on the "cast" tab!
The spoken language is English, and Netflix offers audio dubbing and subtitles in several languages. These include German, Spanish, French and Italian. There may be more options available in your area.
It's rated TV-PG. Although there are some frightening and intense situations, this series can be enjoyed by the whole family.
…in short
Lost in Space, in short, is an expensive remake of the 1960's TV classic about a family of scientists who get 'lost in space' while fleeing the no-longer-inhabitable Earth.
…I'm a nerd, but not
I’m not a science fiction nerd, but I like my sci-fi shows. The entire genre fascinates me. Space has always fascinated me. Science and English were my best subjects for the first 12 years of my educational life. One of my middle school teachers said I have a 'vivid imagination' (I'm paraphrasing) and I probably could have been a science fiction writer had I not gone into TV production.
So, when I watch science-fiction I use my imagination. I don’t nerd out if some things don’t add up. Like if so-and-so is speaking the wrong dialect of Klingon, or whatever, it doesn’t get under my skin and ruin everything. I absorb the experience, holistically. What impresses me about the genre is the imagination behind the idea. Sci-fi is as old as time, and until sci-fi becomes sci-fact the only limitation is one’s imagination. Whether or not it’s practical is inconsequential.
…I'm not that old
I was born after the initial run of CBS’s Lost in Space (1965-68), and on purpose I didn’t spend a lot of time researching it prior to this article. I didn’t want to spoil Netflix’s take on the groovy and campy 60’s version – not that I was expecting camp this time around. I dived (yes, dived, I’m traditional) into the first five-episodes of Netflix’s Lost in Space not knowing anything about the original characters or the story.
What I do know about the original show is what most people my age know: the Robinsons get lost in space (duh); and there is a robot that says, "Danger, Will Robinson." Growing up, that quote was a part of my generation’s pop culture, so it’s certainly not hard to remember from where and when it came.
The first episode of the slick new Lost in Space starts with a smooth flowing shot lasting nearly 3 minutes before the first cut. The family is sitting around the table, the centrepiece of their spacecraft, the Jupiter 2, playing 'Go Fish' in a weightless environment. Dobie Gray’s Drift Away is playing in the background.
…and so it begins?
The setting is ominous, and you know something is going to happen, but what? You can feel the tension it’s so thick. Only parents, John and Maureen Robinson, are taking it – whatever it is – in stride. Judy, Penny, and Will Robinson are clearly uncomfortable and are just mindlessly playing cards – seemingly waiting for something to happen. It’s sort of like going to the dentist, sitting in the chair, hearing the drill turn on and waiting for the inevitable: drill, meet tooth. But, in a matter of moments, you quickly discern what a brilliant choice of song Drift Away is to open the show.
Don’t freak out at the TV; and by gawd don’t throw your phone or laptop across the room in a violent, yet brief fit of rage. Relax. You did not miss anything; the series starts like you’re supposed to know how the Robinsons got to where they are. But you just don’t know, and that’s the point.
As the story unfolds you’ll be able to connect the dots for a much better understanding, and for answers to some of your 'why’s'. I had to make sure I tapped the right icon. "Am I really watching episode one?' 'What propellerhead at Netflix screwed this one up now?'
Now I must buy a new phone. But I digress.
…and so it begins?
Think of it like this: you have a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle in front of you, but some of the pieces are already joined together. So, you’re not starting from scratch and you’re able to suss the situation. However, there are still 800-or-so pieces that need to coalesce before you see the bigger picture. The more time you spend putting together all the pieces, the clearer things become. This is how the story of Lost in Space, and its characters, play out.
The Earth is being abandoned a few years after an impact with a meteor has made it near uninhabitable. Only the best and brightest minds have the privilege to colonize a new planet in 'Alpha Centauri'. After extensive testing, the Robinsons are selected to be a part of the 24th mission to jumpstart a new world.
…there's always a but
On the way to colonize, the mothership, known as The Resolute, suffers a catastrophic event, forcing the Robinson’s, and many others, to evacuate. An unfortunate chain of events finds the Robinsons’ spacecraft, Jupiter 2, (the exterior of which reminds me of the Millennium Falcon) hurling out of control. The ship ultimately crashes on an uncharted planet millions of miles from Alpha Centauri. With terrain ranging from near desert to lush forests to snowy, rugged mountains, the family needs to adapt – and quick. Although not the first choice, the planet appears to be a perfect fit for colonization…almost too perfect.
…the characters are in control
Each character is as complex as they are flawed. Toby Stevens is the family patriarch, John Robinson. A disciplined military man but an absentee father who spent many years 'saving the world' rather than helping to raise his young family. I’d go into battle with John any day, and I’d gladly put my life in his hands as the leader of my platoon. He’s a smart, seasoned combat veteran with well thought-out goals.
But, would I want him as my dad? No thank you. He’s cold and distant and has no reservations about sending his children into danger (wait, that is my dad!). John and the wife are heading straight for a divorce.
Maureen, played by the beautiful and talented Molly Parker, is a brilliant aerospace engineer. She's driven and demanding. But, like any mother, would do anything for her children. She’s the 'commanding officer' of the family and the first the kids turn to for orders or a shoulder to cry on. Just don’t mess with her whiteboard 'to-do' list.
…young Robinsons
Judy Robinson is the eldest sibling at 18, and a doctor. Taylor Russell tackles this difficult character with confidence and believability. Judy is the bi-racial daughter from Maureen’s first marriage, and even though John adopted her as his own, she now resents and blames him for the pending divorce. Judy is athletic and smart but struggles to live up to her responsibilities and burdens after the crash.
Mina Sundwall is Penny Robinson. Her quick-wit and sarcasm fit nicely throughout, never overshadowing the moment. She plays the victim of the 'middle child syndrome' wonderfully, but is also a well-rounded individual and a protective big-sister to Will.
Will Robinson is Chicago native Maxwell Jenkins. Will gets more and more interesting as you witness Jenkins brilliantly develop and mold him right before your eyes (watch out for this kid, he’ll be a superstar one day). Will is empathetic, and sensitive and, gosh-darn-it, he sure tries hard. He doesn’t want to be the one to let his family down, but he suffers from almost debilitating anxiety. The smallest and weakest of the family, Will’s the kind of boy who gets picked on in school. But he’s so damned likeable, you’d do absolutely anything for this kid just to help him out – to give him a chance.
…danger, Will Robinson!
A natural curiosity brings Will in direct contact with Robot. Remember that goofy-looking thing from the original series (apologies all around to those responsible for that beloved prop), well it too has had a makeover – a sleek and expensive renovation that’s one part WTF and 'four' parts OMFG!
Known only as 'Robot', it’s a shape-shifting synthetic body – organic mind that (who?) becomes Will’s protector and pseudo-father-figure. The relationship between the two reminds me of Terminator 2 (1992) and the bond that John Connor and the T101 share. The John Connor quote, 'Cool, my own Terminator,' quickly comes to mind. Will even teaches Robot to play catch. 'This isn’t weird at all,' says Will, tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Almost sensing Will’s vulnerability, Robot never leaves his side and loyally follows orders given by Will – and only Will – even if that order is to walk off a cliff. Talk about a strong friendship! And it only takes about 55 minutes into the first episode before we first hear, 'Danger, Will Robinson. I will admit, I was quite excited about this and when I heard it, I used several slammers while taking my notes. (55 minutes in !!!!)
Robot’s presence clearly concerns the rest of the family…well, the entire colony of survivors, in-fact, and especially war-weary John. But is it an instinctive worry, or is it just old-fashioned jealousy?
…the plot thickens
The Robinsons aren’t the only ones who are lost in space. Dr. Smith was on a different ship when it, too, crashed along with about a dozen-or-so other Jupiter spacecraft. Parker Posey plays the enigmatic and mysterious Dr. Smith. She has secrets and isn’t interested in revealing anything to anyone unless it furthers her own plan. It’s just pure happenstance (for her) that she comes across the right people at the right time – the Robinsons.
Ignacio Serricchio is Don West, a highly skilled, but cynical, 'mechanic' who doesn’t believe in the colonization of space. It's 'everyone is equal but some more equal than others' philosophy don't jive with Don. He’s sub-class and blue collar and wouldn’t have qualified for the mission if it weren’t for his rough-neck-ish skill set. He takes full advantage of his posting to make a little money in the new world using an entirely different set of skills. However, the crash landing has thrown the proverbial wrench into his plans and he’s forced to form an alliance with a most unlikely group.
...so what I'm saying is
One thing I’ve noticed about binge-watching is the time it takes to get into a series seems to have doubled. Without the luxury of having a week to process and digest each episode, I find it’s not until about the third instalment that I’m interested. Is it me? Or is this a common side effect of binging?
The exciting first scene of Lost in Space notwithstanding, the series does take a bit to get going. There were times when I thought, 'that’s just dumb, ok, this scene isn’t well thought out.” (See my first two paragraphs) For a short time I was worried that Lost in Space was going to be a huge disappointment. I like sci-fi shows that immediately put the pedal to the metal and rarely stop to take a breather. At first, that’s not Lost In Space, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing, either.
Like I analogized earlier with the puzzle, right away you’re given a small chunk and you learn through the course of time where all the other pieces fit in. It’s sometimes stop-and-go as the characters develop, but then it’s mostly go, go, go.
I am lucky enough to be a part of the Netflix Secret Society (for those of you who are new to my writing, that’s what I call the 'Netflix Media Center'). And with great power comes great responsibility. I was trusted with access to the first 5 episodes (I know right - idiots!), but now I must wait until April 13 to see what happens after that. I’m choked. Episode 5 is the best episode so far, with 3 and 4 not too far behind.
...but why, tho?
I have a lot of unanswered questions that I can’t talk about. The first rule of the 'Netflix Secret Society' is: you don’t talk about key plot points! Because of the complexity of the characters, many questions remain – the type that may not even be answered in season 1. And with the way Netflix has been wielding their axe lately, chopping good shows from their roster, unless you’re Will Byers & friends, then there’s no guarantee of additional seasons. In the age of streaming TV and 500+ channels on cable, rare is the show that gets commissioned for 3-or-4-seasons. You only have 10 hours, or less, to impress now.
IMAO, Lost in Space does that. But as it turns out, many more (millions?) have to share my opinion if this Netflix series is to survive without being lost in cyberspace.
You're welcome.
