SNAPSHOT
“From the beginning, we’ve always viewed this particular story of The Robinsons as a trilogy. A three-part epic family adventure with a clear beginning, middle and end.” (Showrunner Zack Estrin)“I mean you know Robinson’s family will go on forever. But the story that we started with a pilot with the robots and everything else we want to have, we know what the ending is … There’s a very satisfying hopefully conclusion to that story. More stories then can happen after that.” (Co-writer Matt Sazama) (quotes courtesy Netflix Junkie)
One of the happiest moments of my viewing life was when I sat down to binge my sci-loving brains out on the newest take on the saga of the Robinson family, Lost in Space, in April 2018 and discovered it was quite possibly the best version of the story yet.
While I will always have a soft spot for the original Irwin Allen 1960s series in all its kitsch glory, there was something about this new iteration that captured my imagination anew because as well as the central storyline of a family lost in space, there was rich characterisation, dazzling CGI and an enthralling sense of expansive storytelling that took things way beyond the show’s onetime parameters.
I was entranced and thrilled in equal measure as this quote from my season 1 review makes abundantly and excitedly clear:
“Buckle up folks! This is not your childhood’s Lost in Space.
Not that that’s a bad thing – after all for all its kooky loveliness, idiosyncratic appeal and sufficient beloved catchphrases to power a thousand comic-cons for millennia, Irwin Allen’s 1960s journey into the stars was not without its flaws, and the 1998 cinema iteration aside, it’s fascinated this long time fan for many years to see what could be done with bright-and-shiny CGI and some modern storytelling sensibilities.”
Season 2 kept the magical newness coming – “Lost in Space one of those rare shows that effortlessly combines action, substance and heartfelt humanity” – and I have no doubt season 3 will deliver the escapist goods, with the promised ending hopefully just the entree to even more stories set in this most beguiling of universes.
Lost in Space season 3 premieres 1 December on Netflix.