I watched Lost in Space as a child in the 1960s, watched the re-runs, of most episodes, many times in the 70s and watched all episodes again over the last two months.
To properly appreciate Lost in Space, it may be best to recognize the time it was made and the outlet it was made for: 1965 -1968 TV. Space Travel was a significant event. We would watch the first man land on the moon in 1969. Lost in Space overlapped b&w TV and color TV and the culture was changing. Please remember that context when watching.
My recommendation is to start with the first episode and watch in the order they aired. A big part of the reason for that is you can see how Dr. Smith develops from an evil cold spy, there to sabotage the journey, to eventual sneaky, lazy, cowardly, crooked (but sometimes likeable) buffoon. One of the most iconic TV show characters of all-time.
The entire cast is top-notch (as are many of the guests). Many with familiar faces. If you watch closely, there are many nuances between the family members that make it special.
It seems to best to review each Season individually. I also created Ratings and Reviews for each episode.
My Ratings: 34 (of 83) episodes as "10" or "9" (Gem or excellent) 17 (of 83) episodes as "8" or "7" (Very Good+) 13 (of 83) episodes as "4" - "6" (watchable) 19 (of 83) episodes as "3" or below (watch only if you want to view every episode!)
Season One:
The first season is in b&w. It is, by far, the best season and IMHO, the best season of any TV show ever made.
The back-ground music in just about every episode in top-notch. Possibly the absolute best of any TV show, ever! The plots are great, the acting is great, the guest stars are great, yes Dr. Smith starts to soften up mid-season (or so), but buffoonery is in check. The personalities are developed.
Of the 29 Season One episodes, I Rate 25 as either a "10" or "9", with only "The Space Croppers" and "The Lost Civilization" below a "7".
The first five episodes rely heavily of the pilot and are gems. Just about every episode from the first season is excellent.
Season Two:
Season Two definitely has many low quality episodes, primarily in the middle of the season. Some attribute the drop in quality to Dr. Smith's buffoonery and the shift to "Dr. Smith, Will and the Robot" themes. However, that is just part of it. The significant change was from Si-Fi or fantasy to episodes that resembled a nonsensical childish dream, as well as some that are just terrible by any measure.
Of the 30 Season Two episodes, I Rate 4 as either a "10" or "9", with 12 episodes in the "3" or lower bucket.
The best are: "The Prisoners of Space", "Wreck of the Robot" and "The Astral Traveler". "The Questing Beast" ("9") is a must-watch. The first half is a super campy, then it gets serious and the back half provides some of the greatest Lost in Space moments ever!
Season Three:
Season Three is an improvement over Season Two. The opening and theme music are great!!! However, some of the same issues of Season Two remain (or creep back in). Inconsistent may be the best way to describe Season Three.
Of the 24 Season Three episodes, I Rate 5 either a "10" or "9", with 7 episodes in the "3" or lower bucket. There are four straight less-than-optimal episodes in the middle of the Season. However, it recovers somewhat after the mid-season duds.
The best episodes are: "Visit to a Hostile Planet", "Hunter's Moon", "Flight Into the Future", "Space Creature" and of course "The Anti-Matter Man" (which is one of the very best).
If you are interested in a deep-dive into every episode (all three seasons), please read the Lost in Space books (V1-V3) by Marc Cushman.
PS: Never fear, Smith is here!!!
To properly appreciate Lost in Space, it may be best to recognize the time it was made and the outlet it was made for: 1965 -1968 TV. Space Travel was a significant event. We would watch the first man land on the moon in 1969. Lost in Space overlapped b&w TV and color TV and the culture was changing. Please remember that context when watching.
My recommendation is to start with the first episode and watch in the order they aired. A big part of the reason for that is you can see how Dr. Smith develops from an evil cold spy, there to sabotage the journey, to eventual sneaky, lazy, cowardly, crooked (but sometimes likeable) buffoon. One of the most iconic TV show characters of all-time.
The entire cast is top-notch (as are many of the guests). Many with familiar faces. If you watch closely, there are many nuances between the family members that make it special.
It seems to best to review each Season individually. I also created Ratings and Reviews for each episode.
My Ratings: 34 (of 83) episodes as "10" or "9" (Gem or excellent) 17 (of 83) episodes as "8" or "7" (Very Good+) 13 (of 83) episodes as "4" - "6" (watchable) 19 (of 83) episodes as "3" or below (watch only if you want to view every episode!)
Season One:
The first season is in b&w. It is, by far, the best season and IMHO, the best season of any TV show ever made.
The back-ground music in just about every episode in top-notch. Possibly the absolute best of any TV show, ever! The plots are great, the acting is great, the guest stars are great, yes Dr. Smith starts to soften up mid-season (or so), but buffoonery is in check. The personalities are developed.
Of the 29 Season One episodes, I Rate 25 as either a "10" or "9", with only "The Space Croppers" and "The Lost Civilization" below a "7".
The first five episodes rely heavily of the pilot and are gems. Just about every episode from the first season is excellent.
Season Two:
Season Two definitely has many low quality episodes, primarily in the middle of the season. Some attribute the drop in quality to Dr. Smith's buffoonery and the shift to "Dr. Smith, Will and the Robot" themes. However, that is just part of it. The significant change was from Si-Fi or fantasy to episodes that resembled a nonsensical childish dream, as well as some that are just terrible by any measure.
Of the 30 Season Two episodes, I Rate 4 as either a "10" or "9", with 12 episodes in the "3" or lower bucket.
The best are: "The Prisoners of Space", "Wreck of the Robot" and "The Astral Traveler". "The Questing Beast" ("9") is a must-watch. The first half is a super campy, then it gets serious and the back half provides some of the greatest Lost in Space moments ever!
Season Three:
Season Three is an improvement over Season Two. The opening and theme music are great!!! However, some of the same issues of Season Two remain (or creep back in). Inconsistent may be the best way to describe Season Three.
Of the 24 Season Three episodes, I Rate 5 either a "10" or "9", with 7 episodes in the "3" or lower bucket. There are four straight less-than-optimal episodes in the middle of the Season. However, it recovers somewhat after the mid-season duds.
The best episodes are: "Visit to a Hostile Planet", "Hunter's Moon", "Flight Into the Future", "Space Creature" and of course "The Anti-Matter Man" (which is one of the very best).
If you are interested in a deep-dive into every episode (all three seasons), please read the Lost in Space books (V1-V3) by Marc Cushman.
PS: Never fear, Smith is here!!!