LIS adds an interesting twist compared to the plot line of the original. Problems–at least those I have with the series–continue. Of course, then why do I continue watching? I think it’s the space techno geek in me.
In this LIS universe, there are other travelers from Earth besides the Robinsons (that’s the interesting twist). In addition, the Robinson’s spacecraft, the Jupiter 2, is just one Jupiter spacecraft among many. Actually, we knew that a bit earlier. It seems each Jupiter craft is assigned to a family unit, although it is not impossible that some craft might be assigned to small groups of friends or otherwise related individuals. The exact assignments are not clear.
Problems — my problems continue
What bothered me most about Episode 4, was the elaborate lie that the Robinson siblings concocted in order to not immediately tell their parents that the Robot might have a dark, evil side. They traverse a significant amount of distance to remove the Robot from the Jupiter 2 camp, so much so, that they end up spending the night in a cave. Yes, there is some beast on the loose that wants to eat them, but they leave that little detail out when they radio mom and dad.
I recall on the Original LIS (1965-68 TV) show, especially after season 1, the Robinsons would leave the door to the Jupiter 2 open and not bother to turn on “the force field.” In Episode 4 and leading into 5 of Netflix LIS, they leave the force field off and the Jupiter 2 wide open when the parents are off on their over-night and the siblings are sleeping in the cave. Oh, and evil Dr. Smith–we will have to speak about her at length–follows the siblings and has no problems sleeping nearby, undetected, seemingly with no worries about the large prowling beast.
Through most of Episode 5, Will Robinson continues the lie of the disappearance of the Robot. His sisters are complicit. Even though there is plenty of opportunity that all of them should tell their parents the truth, the sisters elect to help Will continue the ruse in order to support their brother–that he is not ready to tell his father the truth. Thus, the sisters do act in care and loyalty of their brother. However, Will never comes to the point of being ready to tell the truth. The truth is really told for him by events and he becomes a mere passive character who chose to lie and now is swept along with the truth revealing itself. If I am a 8-12 year old, do I want to be like Will? Does her really have any admirable qualities? He may, but the story is not painting that he does.
The writers are cursory technologists at best
Dr. Maureen Robinson begins to notice certain changes in the planet’s atmosphere. She goes on a lone quest: to launch herself in a high altitude balloon to the edge of space in order to confirm her theory. The problems with contradictions to basic observation are just to great to ignore and are so obvious, they do detract from enjoying the show. Maureen travels up and down to the same location without worry of wind taking the balloon far distances from its launch point. That would not be so bad if somehow there was no wind on the planet. Just prior to launch, a huge gust of wind nearly kills Maureen by blowing the uninflated balloon and dragging Maureen almost over a cliff.
Next the other survivors, let by a type-A uncaring male rival of Maureen Robinson (so it seems), build a type of massive flash light. The idea is to beam a bright light into space, so that their mother-ship, The Resolute, might see them. The survivors are successful in building this flash light, as we can see it when Maureen is in the upper atmosphere. However, light just does not work that way! The problem is many people believe lasers (like blasters in Star Wars) are these bright beams that can be seen as they travel from a laser gun to some target. This might be true if there is enough dust and particles to reflect the light sideways, away from its path, so observers can see the beam. In space, there is no dust to reflect this light! Similarly, the flash light beam the survivors built would stand no chance of being seen unless it hit The Resolute head-on. Thus, at best, The Resolute, if it was in the area, might see something like a bright spot on the surface (since there is plenty of particles in the atmosphere to reflect the light in many directions). In short, they are using so much energy that is not helping them be seen at all!
For anyone interested, here is an article that explains the issue: Can a laser in outer space really appear as visible “bullets”?
Is this what the audience demands? Or is it just poor writing? Maybe it doesn’t matter to Netflix because by now they know I will be returning to watch Episode 6!