Change Your Image
jimbotc2006
Reviews
The Wild Wild West: The Night of the Firebrand (1967)
Excellent and classic..
Excellent and classic example of top-notch THE WILD WILD WEST here. Every aspect is near perfect. Great guest cast with Pernell Roberts and the superbly perfect and completely gorgeous Lana Wood..plus Paul Lambert. Great story from Edward J. Lakso. Superb and exciting background music scores from Richard Shores. Lots of rugged and beautiful outdoor cinematography and shooting. Outstanding all around!
I never knew this one too, too well, but it is most definitely a favorite now. THE WILD WILD WEST was like a perfect show, and this one is a perfect example why. Really pretty much every episode is a reason why. The gorgeous Lana Wood is worth the price of the story just by herself, but we have so much more as well.
Lost in Space: The Lost Civilization (1966)
"You made us both look pretty silly with that salt water."
Come on people..this episode deserves right around a score of 8 of 10. It is a classic black and white Season One episode..obviously not one of the best of the season but being from Season One pretty much automatically makes it better than all the colored episodes from the final two years.
The average score of only 6.9 at this web site is a gross under rank for this episode.
This story itself is played quite straight and adventurous, and it has that great survival theme, reminiscent of the great black and white early stories.
It may be a little implausible and cheesy in situation and characters (like some mention), but this is classic LOST IN SPACE, full of great fantasy and adventure.
Indeed, this is the one and only episode of the series where "special guest star" Jonathan Harris (Dr. Smith) does not appear, except for a cameo appearance in the final scene.
I love Royal Dano as a guest star here. Among other things, I loved Royal Dano appearing in a total of four excellent episodes of THE BIG VALLEY..one from each season.
This episode was written by William Welch, who was scarce as a writer for this Irwin Allen series. He only wrote a total of four episodes, with "The Lost Civilization" here already being his third.
This episode was directed by Don Richardson. It was only Mr. Richardson's third episode of the series to direct, but he went on to direct a total of 26 episodes of LOST IN SPACE, making him the most prolific director in the series.
Come on..get the grade up around 8 of 10 stars where "The Lost Civilization" belongs, here in classic and glorious Season One of LOST IN SPACE.
I will always remember seeing a rerun of this episode on Christmas morning in 1976.
Lost in Space: Space Circus (1966)
Here is a classic example of great Season Two of LOST IN SPACE.
Here is an excellent story/episode that in general seems to be greatly underrated by the picky, partial, artificial LOST IN SPACE fans.
This one has all you should want and need in an episode of LOST IN SPACE.
First of all, since it is so close to superior black and white classic Season One, it still has that beautiful, meaningful, warm, down home, and survival feel and look to it.
"Space Circus" could have almost fit in latter Season One.
This episode was the first of the series written by the writing team of Bob and Wanda Duncan, and it was the fourth episode, and first in color, directed by Harry Harris.
Both are relatively rare for LOST IN SPACE, as they both totaled only five installments for the entire series.
The guest cast is colorful and fun, and there are more guests than usual. I love guest star James Westerfield as "Dr. Marvello."
Melinda Fee as "Fenestra" is very pretty to look at.
Michael Greene played "Nubu," and of course, the usual "monster man" Dawson Palmer played "The Cosmic Monster" (from Super Nova 12).
The story is very warm and great, and it has the usual early series close family moments and stuff, the stuff that makes the episodes work best.
This episode had a guest composer doing the background incidental music scores, and it was the great Herman Stein, who was responsible for the spectacular epic music score from way back in episode number two entitled "The Derelict."
The episode even has a bit of fun and mild humor here and there, before the Season Two fun and humor really kicks into high gear later on.
The climactic scene is very good.
Everything is very good.
In great, classic, and definitive Season Two of LOST IN SPACE, we have a excellent warm example of the best colored style of the series.
This episode, and all like it are for the most part, completely better and on a higher level than the final psychedelic and overblown season, which is hardly real LOST IN SPACE anymore.
In almost every way, nothing in later Season Three can compare to the goodness of stories such as this, with everything earlier, and everyone younger.
"Space Circus" just gets better and better all the time..
The Big Valley: The Guilt of Matt Bentell (1965)
It is very well written and very well acted and just good all over.
Here is the usual excellent and very solid story from outstanding Season One of The Big Valley, which has pretty much the best of everything.
This episode has grown and grown and grown on me through the years.
It cannot be considered one of my very most favorites, but it is certainly climbing the ranks.
It is solidly written with excellent dialogue throughout from Paul Savage, his second of three for the series, all during classic Season One.
The main guest star John Anderson as Matt Bentell is very fine in his believable acting performance, and I almost want to feel sorry for him because he is not a bad man, as you will find out if you watch the story.
This was only the thirteenth episode of the series, and it is already the second guest appearance for John Anderson.
He first appeared ten episodes earlier in story number three, "Boots With My Father's Name."
I also love the usual great Season One background incidental music scores here, and I love the beautiful timber country location shooting.
I love the entire story idea as well.
Really, there is nothing not to like here.
I kind of chuckle and roll my eyes a bit because I have heard of some fans who have a problem with the "harsh" way Victoria treats Heath in this story, as if it is somehow not believable and just a terrible thing.
Of course, Victoria was acting like the usual great mother, and I would say to those fans, "Get over it. It is only a fictional story, and it is quite a good one, just like all of Season One."
I wish they had half scores, because I would have probably more accurately given this one 8.5, but I rounded it up to nine since it is most likely an 8.5 to 9 range episode.
They should score one through twenty stars, so there is a bit more variety to rank the episodes, but you get the idea.
We have a beautiful story here in many, many ways, and there are many beauties out there..
Lost in Space: The Questing Beast (1967)
A Beauty Of A Story
This is most likely the most underrated episode of the entire series.
Some (or many) do not seem to like it, and they highly exaggerate as to how bad and poor and ridiculous it is.
Those folks need to do some serious soul searching and think again.
No, this is not your original style of the series' amazing and serious beginnings in glorious and superior black and white Season One, but in fact, it is the second best style from the second best and highly underrated, beautiful, charming, fun, meaningful, and relevant, great Season Two of LOST IN SPACE.
It is fun, and it is beautiful, the background incidental music scores from guest composer Cyril Mockridge are cute, fine and a nice change of pace, matching the story perfectly.
It apparently takes a wise and mature adult to love and appreciate it, because I did not think much of it as a youngster.
Guest star Hans Conried turns in a wonderfully great acting performance in his character, pitiful yet extremely likable.
Lovely Angela Cartwright gets a lot of screen time.
The conclusion and final scene is wonderful as well.
There is really nothing not to like here, but the part-time fans of LOST IN SPACE do not see it.
This is better style and quality than two-thirds of the final, overblown, overhyped, and ridiculously overrated psychedelic afterthought of a Season Three, wherein all the worst episodes of the series really are, most notable the stupendously notorious funny in a bad way, ultimate bottom feeder entitled "The Great Vegetable Rebellion."
In short, "The Questing Beast" is a charming, lovable and fun, worthwhile entry in the middle, and the meat of, what LOST IN SPACE is and was when it was at its most relevant and charming era.
Lost in Space: Mutiny in Space (1967)
Highly Underrated
This is one of many highly underrated good, fun and entertaining stories from the better colored season.
It is smack in the meat and the middle of the series, when it was still good, and closer to the beginnings, though much more lighter and humorous by this time.
It is definitely better than the later Season Three poorest of the poor afterthought episodes, when the series was spiraling downward and no longer the same.
No, it is not classic original, and superior black and white Season One, but I will go on to say that if you do not like fun episodes like this one, then you are not really a true fan of classic LOST IN SPACE..
:-]
Lost in Space: The Space Primevals (1967)
This is a solid adventure, and my current #5-ranked on the season..
"The Space Primevals"..always a very solid and long time highly liked installment. As of now, I have it as my #5-ranked episode of the season..ever, ever so slightly behind last week's "Hunter's Moon." Basically, the two are pretty much neck-and-neck. If "The Space Primevals" didn't have the 'sillier' unnecessary parts, such as the robot magic stuff, and if the episode had a more solid ending and finish, and not that 'silly' finish accompanied by the brand new Fred Steiner background music (which I highly dislike), "The Space Primevals" would have been as high as my #3-ranked of the season. As it is, I have it at #5..just short of #4.
Robert is very true that "The Space Primevals" has a Season One feel and look to it..chariot and all. I absolutely love the fine location shooting. That, and the prehistoric caveman idea, was not only excellent, but the best things about this story. I love it! As always, silly things take it down again though, just like last week. Stories this good should NOT infuse the sillier moments. I do NOT appreciate the mix. Either give me serious (very straight) B&W Season One, or give me the "LIS Lite" (Robert's term) fantasy-styles of Season Two. Both work fine. But, do not give me a good story and put silly things into it. It only accomplishes on bringing it down. The best of the Season Three episodes, all of them (think about it), are guilty of doing this. Like I said last week though, by this point in the series, it was totally unavoidable. Well, not really, but the production team seemed to think so.
Just like last week's "Hunter's Moon," this week's story is high, high adventure, and another most worthy example of the goodness and solidness of early Season Three. "The Space Primevals" is the episode that was filmed (and aired) right after "Hunter's Moon." I call it back-to-back solidness, in keeping where late Season Two left off (with more seriousness interjected into the series). It certainly does not last.
Like I said last week, I absolutely love the climactic fight scene in "Hunter's Moon"..one of my very favorite scenes of the whole shebang. That scene alone, and a slightly better ending, may be the specific reasons why I give the ever so slightly edge to "Hunter's Moon."
Peter Packer and Nathan Juran are back again..
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE I forgot to add that it is always a delight when Dr. Smith and Major West get teamed up together.
Lost in Space: Forbidden World (1966)
Another solid adventure, a 4.9 on my personal scale, and #23-ranked of the season..
"Forbidden World" is my lowest ranked of the four Season Two episodes so far, but not by a whole lot really. The episode has one of the very best (perhaps #1) and most intense opening teasers of any episode. Of course, it slows down after that somewhat, but not at all in a bad way. The episode is played quite straight and serious, in keeping with the B&W Season One feel so far. For some reason, "Forbidden World" seems to get kind of a 'bad rap' a lot, and you know the reason.."Big Bird," "The Parrot Creature," "The Chicken Monster." Well, I have seen all three of these terms used. The great costume designer Janos Prohaska designed that bird, and I am assuming it was him in the costume as well. Janos Prohaska designed and played like three creatures in STAR TREK, one from each season, as I recall. Overall, "The Parrot Creature" (take your pick and call it what you will) is not really bad at all. There is nothing really bad or overly 'silly' about the creature. He is kind of cute, actually. These are alien worlds in the sci-fi universe, so who is to say what is out there? Besides, the creature does not talk with a female voice like the pink dragon Gundemar. So, you have got to give him/it credit for that.
"Forbidden World" is Barney Slater's first script this season, and he would be very active this year. Also very active by this time in the series was director Don Richardson, and this was his second input of the season. Guest star Wally Cox as "Tiabo," although nothing to get too scared about, was basically a serious character who meant business. He was just a scared and loner type quirky hermit. Really, LOST IN SPACE is still serious at this point..but it is about to gradually, gradually delve into the BATMAN style more comedic "LIS Lite" episodes.
Robert Drasnin is the guest composer here. The music is obviously not up to Johnny Williams style standards, but it is not bad and it works well with the story and with the quirky guest characters. This is another middle-of-the-road Season Two adventure for me, but slightly down into the lower half here. Season One and Season Two are now both officially 'grounded,' as far as an alien planet goes. But, as you know, the Jupiter Two will clippity-clop all across the heavens during its shorter Season Three run. Speaking of 'clippity-clop,' this is the very first episode where we hear the infamous Robert Drasnin "clippity-clop weeeeeeeeee" music at the very end.
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: Island in the Sky (1965)
Another early series stellar installment, a 9.6, and my #5-ranked overall..
What can you say about any of these first five episodes of the series..besides the fact that they are the very best of the series. I have even seen people rate this third installment, "Island In The Sky" as the single best episode of LOST IN SPACE. Of course, that could very well be true. Obviously though, that can be said for any of the 'first five' episodes. I do not think there is any other episode of LOST IN SPACE where the Dr. Smith character is at this level of pure evil and wickedness. As some might say, Dr. Smith is "deliciously wicked" in this one. The first twenty minutes of this episode could very well be the very best (approximately) twenty minute section of the series. Indeed. It does not get better than that. Robert, once again, absolutely loves the Johnny Williams music scores in "Island In The Sky"..and who wouldn't? Some of Robert's very favorite music cues (and mine) occur in this episode, his very favorite being the 'crash music.'
It is basically impossible to dislike this episode..or any of the first three episodes so far. Each of the first five episodes of LOST IN SPACE is pure 'elite-ness' high drama, adventure, and enjoyment. The only thing that really varies is in what order fans' like the first five episodes. Rather (perhaps) surprisingly, "Island In The Sky" is actually my #5-ranked. That's right. I like the other four ever so slightly better and I have them ever so slightly higher ranked. It is hard to even come up with much of concrete reasons. The competition is ultra-fierce, and any small things will make the difference.
Besides the ultra-top first twenty minutes, I will mention one other bit I really like..and that would be the part where we first find out where Professor Robinson is, down in that electrified pit, and oh so close by. That bit (along with the accompanying music) leading into the commercial break was great. Of course, the television audience and the Robinson family is introduced to 'Debbie the Bloop' in this episode.
"Don't trust him. He's slippery as a bucket of eels."
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: The Ghost Planet (1966)
This is a very solid script, a rating of 5.6, and ranked at #16 on the young season..
Well, it is the famous "Gate double one five" (GATE 115) episode. The entire script for this episode is out there at some web site somewhere. Back when I was doing the detailed episode script and commentaries, Ray D. (one of his five favorite episodes of all) and David G. took the script (with permission, of course) and uploaded it at their LISMEMORIES web site. David also added screen grabs to follow along. It actually looks and works very nicely. I was just trying to find it, but it would not pull up. The site may be under construction.
Anyway..this is episode #3 on the young Season Two, and things are played highly straight so far. There is no hint of what is to come not far down the road. Peter Packer's script for "The Ghost Planet" is all excellently written dialog. The entire episode is very solid, although this is more of a middle-of-the-road episode for the season. Nothing really stands out as fantastic, but in that same regard, absolutely nothing is cringe-worthy or near terrible. Probably the closest thing to cringe-worthy is how easily the alien cyborgs are stopped..with a simple karate chop..and they sound like hollow tin cans lol. I have always considered this episode to be your 'basic' LOST IN SPACE episode. Some people love it. I do not think anyone could 'hate' it.
This is the very first episode that we see the infamous 'yellow landing circle' that the Jupiter 2 lands in. From here on out, every time the Jupiter 2 makes a 'soft landing,' with its landing legs extended, they are landing in the (stock footage, go figure) yellow circle. However, every other time would be way over in the final Season Three.
We see Professor John Robinson and Major West in their white Ts in this one, a B&W Season One regularity, and always a cool treat.
Peter Packer has now done five of the first nine episode anniversaries on the season, and although this is a solid script, it is also the 'weakest' (if you will) sister of the trio of anniversary episodes this week. We know that B&W Season One is superior, and we also know that yesterday's anniversary episode, Season Three's "Hunter's Moon" is a real goodie..even though it has more silly moments than the more straight forward "The Ghost Planet."
Overall, "The Ghost Planet" is an official 5.6 for me, and ranked at #16 out of the thirty colored Season Two episodes..just a notch and a tad below last week's "Wild Adventure." The two episodes are extremely close rivalries.
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: Hunter's Moon (1967)
This is a solid and quite exciting adventure, my #4-ranked of the final season..a 6.0..
This is always, always a solid entry in my book. I have never heard anyone say they do NOT like this episode. It has quite a few very, very good things going on..mixed in with a couple not so good things. Overall though, it is a very solid and exciting adventure, in following with the pattern of (just about) the first handful of episodes of the final season. "Hunter's Moon" was actually only the second episode of the season filmed and produced, following the season opener, "Condemned Of Space." That would explain why Penny's hairstyle is right back where it was (long and straight) in the previously filmed story.
Since this was, indeed, the second filmed episode of the season, one can argue that this is the first episode to use the 'Space Pod.' Recall that we first saw it last week in "Kidnapped In Space," but that story was actually filmed four episodes AFTER "Hunter's Moon." This episode is, therefore, a truly, truly very early Season Three installment (the second filmed). I have always liked it so well that there was a time back in high school days (around 1978 to 1980) that I considered "Hunter's Moon" as my very favorite episode of all. Of course, that is not nearly the case anymore, but still, this episode is a very, very exciting and worthwhile installment.
I really have always liked guest star Vincent Beck as 'Megazor.' I actually always found him to be somewhat scary. Megazor means deadly serious business in this story, and Professor John Robinson certainly falls into real unfortunate and dire circumstances here. Like Robert says, however, the few Dr. Smith shenanigan scenes were most definitely undesirable and out of place in such a good episode. You really cannot help that this far into the series, of course. That kind of 'damage' had been done long before.
The climactic fight scene near the end is one of my very favorite scenes of the entire series, accompanied by my very favorite Johnny Williams 'fight music' cue. This episode also actually has a decent final wrap, which is very rare this season. And as everyone knows, a good and meaningful ending ranks highly with me. "Hunter's Moon" finishes up with one of the four best endings this year. Speaking of the music, it is great and classic (mainly Johnny Williams) stuff throughout.
Two other points worth mentioning are, one, this is the episode where we see the space travelers gradually turning out in their new (purplish, yellowish, greenish) Season Three outfits at various times throughout the story. I guess since they have now landed somewhere, they can discard their silver flight suits again. Also, this is the one and the only episode of the series to be written by a Jack Turley. That right there is very interesting so late into the series. In fact, this is the second week in a row with a brand new LOST IN SPACE writer, as Robert Hamner was the writer for "Kidnapped In Space" last week. Where is Barney Slater so far?
I believe this to be my personal #4-ranked episode of the final season.
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: The Derelict (1965)
It hardly gets any better than this..9.7..
Really, really out of this world, superb and magnificent stuff. This classic seems to actually get a semi-bad rap quite often, and I find it rather amazing that I find myself having to defend the SECOND episode of the series so much. The usual comment is that it is "too slow in parts." Oh, my..what in the world do you want?!? Like Robert says, this one is totally 'five out of five stars'..just like the other fabulous first five best episodes of the series. It is a complete, moving, and interstellar epic. This would be the only one of the first five to not really have (hardly any) original footage from the original pilot, "No Place To Hide." They apparently decided to add an entire episode in there to stretch the fabulous epic out some more. Perhaps this is the reason why a bit of it may appear as 'filler' or "slow," in the words I have seen rather often. To that I would answer that the pacing is just perfect throughout. This one is set up absolutely beautifully. This episode is very eerie and downright spooky a lot. The tense, exciting, and stellar ending more than makes up for any given "slower" periods..periods very nicely building up the atmosphere. This whole episode is a great atmospheric story..and that does not even count the great, great, great incidental background music scores from Herman Stein (who would return again), and whoever else may have helped with the music here (Hans J. Salter?).
There were several just purely 'simple' scenes here..warm scenes..beautiful scenes..sad scenes..scenes to introduce us more to the characters and invite us to get to know more of their personalities and relationships.
Of course, the Jupiter 2 spaceship encounter with the massive, mysterious spacecraft is completely epic and fantastic stuff. And one of those very simple and quaint scenes that I speak of, is just fabulous to me (they all are actually)..but this one tends to bring a tear to my eye..which can definitely happen a lot in these B&W episodes, by the way. Before the encounter with the huge derelict, at the upper deck control console, we have the first 'real' exchange between the handsome Major West and the lovely Ms. Judy Robinson. I cannot recall the entire conversation right now, but Major West talks about Judy should be getting sleepy, and asking her something about if she would like to go home. Judy's last line of the exchange is, "I never did like school"..as the Herman Stein beautiful "family theme" music begins for the very first time. Right there, that music, is some of my very, very favorite of all, always used in the very sentimental and sadder moments. As the music is playing, and immediately following, the scene segues to hearing a tape recording coming from inside Ms. Penny's cabin below decks. Her father opens her sliding door, listens for a moment, and asks, "Shakespeare?"
I absolutely, absolutely love those little, simple scene..and every other scene contained within this story. There is no way this story should receive less than five stars (in Robert's older grading system it is a 9.5). "The Derelict," in fact, is a 9.7 for me. I think this may be Robert's second favorite episode of the whole shebang. It is just about there for me as well, and we both LOVE the music scores here.
One additional note..this is the first of the next four episodes where we do not see the usual "Written by" in the opening credits. Instead, we see "Teleplay by" and "Story by." This is obviously because the story for the entire first five (pilot) episodes was from Shimon Wincelberg. However, a different writer did write the screenplay or in between "Teleplay" for each. The great Peter Packer, who would go on to write more episodes of LOST IN SPACE than anybody else, is here already for his very first contribution..and the episode is directed by 'one-director-wonder' Alex Singer. A lot of these very early episodes were directed by 'one-shot' directors, interestingly enough.
A continuing B&W epic for the ages..
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: Wild Adventure (1966)
This is mid-range for the season, but a very solid story..5.7..
"Wild Adventure"..no other episode spends so much time with the Jupiter 2 spaceship flying through space, besides Season Three's "Space Creature." That is, of course, not a trait to measure the 'worth' of the episode. It is just an interesting trivia point to make note of. The Jupiter 2 is flying through space during the entire adventure, with the one exception of its brief landing on the F-12 fuel barge to refuel. Of course, however, this is a very solid story, with no real, real 'silliness' for the series set in yet. It will take more episodes than this before Season Two dips to the lower levels of humor, slapstick, and more silliness. I have never, ever disliked this episode..although it has never been a huge favorite of mine either. As a matter of fact, I consider it about average in the Season Two pack. More 'silly' episodes coming later are even much better..another reason why the silliness-meter of an episode is not necessarily an accurate model to grade the overall worth of an episode.
Of course, let us discuss the one factor in this episode that most fans mention as being the downfall here..the green lady from "the people of the green mist." Do I have any problems with her? Of course not. Do I like her? Yes! When you get right down to it, this story/episode revolves around, and is really all about the Green Girl. Although terrible science (all around), the girl makes for an entertaining and enjoyable tale. I met Ms. Vitina Marcus in person at FrightVision 2001 in early April in Cleveland that year. Two things surprised my that I did not expect..she is a pretty short lady, and she has (or had) blond hair. A very nice lady she was..and attractive.
There is a heck of a lot going on in this episode. Obviously, the most tense and exciting moment is when the ship is caught in the gravitational pull of the sun..ending the third or fourth act/segment. That was pretty good stuff..though illogical, of course.
It was cool to see the Robinsons a lot in their 'sleepy time' attire..bathrobes and all. Ms. dear, dear Penny looked so cute! And we got to see "Mrs. Robinson's first meal in space." This was the second of only two (rare) LOST IN SPACE writing credits for the team of William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter. That may explain the very different 'feel' in this episode. Woodfield and Balter had previously done "Attack Of The Monster Plants" (another VERY different 'feel' episode) from classic B&W Season One.
The most prolific LOST IN SPACE director of all, Don Richardson, only directed four episodes during B&W Season One, but now, in living color, his directed episodes start to arrive hot and heavy..and they begin right here, in the second episode on the young season.
This is the first of several background incidental music scores from 'regular STAR TREK man,' Alexander Courage. Although I am not overly thrilled by any of his scores, this one works very well (as they all do), and is probably my personal favorite of the Alexander Courage entries.
One other note.."Wild Adventure"ends very, very, very nicely, with dialog something like this..
WILLIAM: Cheer up, Doctor Smith. Anyway, we're on kind of an adventure now.
WILLIAM: Where are we going now, sir?
JOHN: We'll know when we get there, son. We'll know when we get there.
(With excellent closing music to boot.)
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: Condemned of Space (1967)
The final season kicks off with a 6.0, and my #6-ranked on the year..
The first annual episode anniversary of the season is the Season Three opener..a very popular episode. I have seen a couple people through the years even consider CONDEMNED OF SPACE to be like their very favorite episode of all. Why is it popular? Well, the reasons are obvious. When you think about it, the story really has no real weaknesses or pitfalls (besides accurate science, of course). The production team had interjected some serious high-flying drama, adventure and excitement back into the series. I, as a youngster, always looked forward to this one coming around in the rotation. I really cannot think of anything not to like about it. It hardly even has any real 'silly' moments or scenes. It is played pretty much straight, except for the usual Dr. Smith and Robot one-liners..but those are limited and bearable I cannot even really gripe about my usual Season Three complaints in this one (Dr. Smith's, Penny's, and
William's overacting, and the kids too 'old' for my taste). Ms. Judy and Ms. Penny look very stunning and yummy back in their silver flight suits. It had been quite some time since they wore them. Judy, especially, looks gorgeous here. And we see a rare few episodes look at Penny in her gorgeous long dark straight hair (which is her style in the first handful of episodes this year) before she gets that God-awful wig thingy going.
We had good outer space technology for the fans who love the Jupiter 2 in flight. They take off..they land on a prison ship..and they take off at the end. Speaking of the end, we also had a very solid final wrap to this episode. A little light, perhaps, but nothing to 'cutesy' or silly. It can be much worse. Overall, this was a very solid way to start what would go on to be the final season of LOST IN SPACE.
This episode is my #6 ranked of the season..so you see, I like it!
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: Visit to a Hostile Planet (1967)
Here is my favorite of the final season, a 6.9..
Simply put, Season Three has already reached my very #1 top-ranked episode of the season. "Visit To A Hostile Planet" is pretty much a solid rock-hard exciting classic for me. As the older members may recall, "Visit To A Hostile Planet" was the very favorite episode of Wyoming Rosset ("Wy," or "The Midnight Cowboy"). Wyoming taught a college writing class. He would play this episode to the students, stop it right near the end, around the release of the cannon part, turn it off, and have the students write their own ending. I always thought that was an awesome idea, and how I wish I had been in Wyoming's class! 8-]
Anyway..I have heard of a few 'casual fans' who remember LOST IN SPACE from their childhood who mention this episode as one they recall as a very favorite. It certainly IS an episode that can be easily remembered years later. I have also heard other fans who like to 'dis' this episode for being a bit too 'goofy,' 'silly,' or whatever, as far as the local Green Acres-like townsfolk are concerned. To those fans, I will say what I usually say (or think) when the same people like to 'dis' Season Two in general for being too silly or goofy.."Get over it!" This far into the series is surely a far cry from the good old B&W days, so you take what you can get. This episode is also a good example as to why I would never use 'silliness' as a yardstick in grading episodes. It has probably a bit more 'silliness' than the previous episode, the season kickoff, "Condemned Of Space," yet it is a notch or two better.
In one of the old videos about the show (perhaps LOST IN SPACE FOREVER, 1998), June Lockhart, while narrating, called this a 'defining moment', or a 'big moment' for the Robinsons..landing back on Earth and all. I would agree. Besides an excellently written episode from Peter Packer, and an excellently directed episode from Sobey Martin (whom we had only heard from just one time in Season Two since the B&W glory days), probably the two things that stand out and make this episode a huge winner for me is the excellent and very interesting outdoor location shooting, and especially the almost chilling, great and final wrap/finish to the story, as we first get a glimpse of the Jupiter 2 spaceship flying through the blue sky, and then rising through atmosphere (right after Stacy and Craig's exchange about flying saucers) to get away from..earth! This episode had one of the very few (four of them) really good endings to a Season Three episode. I will note the others when they come up. Yes, the ending to this episode can actually send chills up and down my spine. I certainly cannot say that about many colored episodes for sure.
Speaking of Craig (Robert Pine), if you look at his credits at IMDb, you will notice that this appearance in LOST IN SPACE was just about the very first thing he did..pretty much the beginning of his career.
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE
Lost in Space: Blast Off Into Space (1966)
Here is a very solid season opener, rated 8
Okay..I am back.
Here we go..the blessed and glorious (in all-living color) Season Two kick-off episode. Many will put this one as the 'weakest' of the season openers (if you will) but not me. Yes..I rank this one ahead of "Condemned Of Space. And why wouldn't I? I boast of how much I love colored Season Two, and although it may not be as overall as 'exciting' as "Condemned Of Space," "Blast Off Into Space" gets my vote as a few notches higher. Why, you might ask. Well, the reasons are obvious. Being so utterly close to and recently removed from lovable B&W Season One, it still has a Season One feel to it. They are still on the lost and forsaken and barren planet. The kids (Penny and William in particular) are still quite young. Dr. Smith is not overly 'over the top' with an "effeminate" (to coin Robert's phrase) characterization, like he is in later Season Three episodes..and the story is very solid.
Basically, this is still an episode to love (if you are a big B&W fan), of course. Just like "Condemned Of Space" and "Visit To A Hostile Planet," there is really nothing not to like so far in the anniversary season. All three are pretty much devoid of pitfalls and drawbacks.
I have seen fans share their dislike for Mr. Nerim and his mule, for being too 'earth-like,' or something. Who cares? Maybe it is because I love a good western-style episode, or because I love Strother Martin's appearances in THE BIG VALLEY (or whatever else), but I like him and his characterization of the old miner just fine. His donkey was just an added interest. Actually, Mr. Nerim was an extremely likable old chum. It is odd and very rare, however, that the main guest star was done and gone pretty much at the midpoint of the story.
The new background incidental music guest scores from Leith Stevens were not exactly 'stellar' or a big favorite of mine, but it (the music) works just fine for the story. It was a big plus to bring on a guest composer for such a huge occasion as a season premier..especially the first colored episode premier. This was big!
How big was it? Well, "Blast Off Into Space" is my #7-ranked episode on the season..slightly above "Condemned Of Space," yet slightly below "Visit To A Hostile Planet." Wait! Who is trying to compare episodes from 'across the seasons?' That is never a good idea, and never an easy thing to do. :-]
Here is a very interesting bit of trivia you may not know. This is the one and the only episode where the guest star's character's name is listed in the opening credits, instead of saying "Guest Star." What I mean is, instead of reading "Guest Star Strother Martin," the opening credit reads "Strother Martin as Nerim." This is totally a one-of-a-kind occurrence.
So far, the illustrious Peter Packer has helmed all three anniversary episodes. That streak ends tomorrow..
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE.
Lost in Space: The Reluctant Stowaway (1965)
This is the best of the best..10.0..
Well, I just discovered this site and all the feedback and information I can add. I plan to make plenty of comments, reviews, opinions, quotes and such in the months to come. One quick correction from the credits listed above on this site...Byron Morrow and Hoke Howell do NOT obviously appear anywhere during this episode. Don't know what somebody is thinking. I've seen this error before. Byron Morrow and Hoke Howell were guests far away in a Season Three episode entitled, "Time Merchant", which has absolutely nothing to do with this beauty. "The Reluctant Stowaway" is the best the series had to offer. All of classic B&W Season One is one of the very best years in television history. It's all galactic, out of this world adventure. Nothing in the series, or many other series, can approach this greatness. This is my input #1!
Lost in Space: Kidnapped in Space (1967)
This is one of my personal "Dirty Baker's Dozen" episodes..3.4..
It only took until the fifth episode of the anniversary season to bring the first so-called 'clunker,' and one of my personal "Dirty Baker's Dozen" episodes. I thought much more highly of this episode in the old days, but that was another story and another time. There are a couple of noteworthy interesting things here, but that is all. This was the episode that introduced the viewing audience to the all-new 'Space Pod' (where did that thing come from?). Also interesting is the aliens' time bending devices they wear on their belts. Those were very cool and had possibilities. I think the story should have revolved more around those things, instead of the silly "we need someone to perform delicate brain surgery on our supreme leader" idea..say what?!? This episode introduced us to new Season Three writer Robert Hamner, and as Robert (Herzog) always mentions, he treated to Robot as an overly silly character. He also liked to have space members locked up in 'jails.'
On the surface, this episode appears exciting (in keeping with the early Season Three theme), but all it really accomplishes is groan worthy moments and ideas. It 'tries' to (still) be more serious than the majority of Season Two, but overall, it comes off even less good than its predecessors. Although the footage of the derelict spaceship is always classic (in color this time), we have seen it before. The first segment is easily the best. After everyone is on the space probe is where the episode falls apart many notches.
Penny's hair continues going through its transformation here. Silver flight suits once again are nice.
I want to mostly put the blame on brand new LiS writer Robert Hamner here. He simply did not have a grasp on LOST IN SPACE and characters..especially our metallic friend.
As Scott alludes to, "Kidnapped In Space" sticks out like a sore thumb in the early Season Three going..
Medical school dropout, indeed.
LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~
iN
SpacE