Fix: Space Adventure, Modern Reboot, Family Dynamics, Hot Robots
Platform: Netflix
Netflix Summary:
On the way to a space colony, a crisis sends the Robinsons hurtling toward an unfamiliar planet, where they struggle to survive a harrowing night.
FYA Summary:
In a reboot of the classic 1960’s science fiction show (and the movie from 1998), Netflix introduces a whole new Robinson family with a similar problem: they’re lost, in space. Thankfully, this time, they’re not alone, but not everyone has their best interests in mind. And then there’s the robot that young Will Robinson finds—one that might be the most dangerous thing the family finds on the strange planet.
Familiar Faces:
Parker Posey as Dr. Smith
Posey is known for playing quirky characters. Dr. Smith is more unreliable than kooky, but Posey brings to the character her typical weird yet intriguing mannerisms. You end up feeling a lot of different feelings for Smith—some good, some bad—but she wouldn’t have been as emotionally effective if it wasn’t for Posey.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Hiroki Watanabe
Tagawa has been in So. Many. Things. over the years, and although Watanabe’s part is a small one, I’d be remiss not to call him out here.
Toby Stephens as John Robinson
It was only a few days ago that I learned that Stephens is Dame Maggie Smith’s son, and now I know where he gets his talent from. (Although, can you imagine being her kid? Talk about a force.) Robinson’s kind of a shit at first, but he redeems himself throughout the first season and grows as a character in a somewhat surprising way (i.e., you don’t think you’re ever going to like him, but you end up doing so by the end). Bonus points: He’s not at all bad on the ol’ eyes, either.
Ignacio Serricchio as Don West
I don’t remember seeing Serricchio in any particular roles (of which he has many), but I’m pretty sure he frequently plays the roguish scoundrel with a heart of gold. West does not break this mold.
Molly Parker as Maureen Robinson
Similarly to Serricchio, I can’t recall seeing Parker in anything specific. But she’s excellent as Robinson and is the kind of pop culture mother who belongs in a celebratory museum. Also, she’s damn smart and saves everyone’s butts more than once.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Make Room
If you’ve got family/friends/acquaintances who like genre TV and aren’t turned off by the idea of reboots—especially when they’re really good reboots—then you’re going to want to plan a binge party with plenty of seating and snacks. It’s also a great show to just watch with a significant other, as I did. (Even when said significant other didn’t enjoy the show as much as me, and it took some coaxing to get him to keep watching after more than a few episodes in a row. … We’re bad at binging.)
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Netflix and Chill(ed Beverages)
The show has some twists and turns, but Lost in Space isn’t the kind of series that you have to pay attention to every little detail in order to enjoy it and/or understand it. So if you prefer to partake while you binge, please do so! But I would suggest a little moderation; there are 10 nearly hour-long episodes in the first season, and I would hate for you to miss something at the end.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Stellar
The content on streaming services these days is as varied as one could like, but I particularly appreciate how willing the various services are to give life and second chances to genre series. (Especially since shows of the sort don’t often have long lives on the networks.) Lost in Space is a really great example of a show that likely wouldn’t have been given a proper chance on any other “channel,” and we’re all the better for it.
