Today, I’d like to talk about one of my favorite TV shows.
I don’t talk about TV often, because all the shows I like are old and I watch them on DVD. This one, though, Irwin Allen’s Lost in Space, is relevant today because Netflix announced a 10-episode Lost in Space reboot.
The original Lost in Space, which ran from 1965 to 1968, starred a family of would-be space colonists marooned in space after their ship is sabotaged by Dr. Zachary Smith.
Smith, who accidentally traps himself on board with the Robinsons, was intended to be a serious villain written out after the early episodes. However, his actor Jonathan Harris realized comedic, lighthearted villains had more longevity, and gradually shifted his character from the sinister would-be murderer to a bumbling, greedy coward.
It worked, in more than one way.
Not only did Dr. Smith become a permanent member of the cast, he became one of its central characters. While Lost in Space originally emphasized the family’s struggle to survive, the episodes increasingly focused on Dr. Smith, the youngest child Will Robinson, and the Robot B9 as the show went on.
It also backed away from drama in favor of humor, even campiness. While it still had action, danger, and serious moments, the drama became tempered by comedic situations (usually spearheaded by Smith).
And that’s what I love about it. It’s both exciting and absurd. The early episodes, when it’s still serious, are among my least favorites (although it’s interesting to see how sinister Dr. Smith is at first, such a far cry from the lovable character later on). I adore the middle of the series when it hit its stride with Smith, Will, and the Robot, and that’s what I want to see return.
Netflix’s announcement mentions the show’s blend of “both drama and comedy,” which gives me hope. The reboot is planned for 2018, so we’ll find out then if they do Lost in Space justice.
