Lost In Space. S1, Ep20: War of the Robots.
The Robotoid that Dr Smith and Will found at the end of the last episode, doesn't seem to be operational. However, when they leave the Robotoid fires one of its neutron guns and blasts a bush to smithereens. A demonstration and a foreshadowing of its powerful duplicity and duplicitous power.
Professor John Robinson examines the Robotoid. He allows Will to work on it. The Robot warns the Robinsons that because the Robotoid is capable... of free choice it could be a threat.
The Robotoid that Dr Smith and Will found at the end of the last episode, doesn't seem to be operational. However, when they leave the Robotoid fires one of its neutron guns and blasts a bush to smithereens. A demonstration and a foreshadowing of its powerful duplicity and duplicitous power.
Professor John Robinson examines the Robotoid. He allows Will to work on it. The Robot warns the Robinsons that because the Robotoid is capable... of free choice it could be a threat.
In a doubly invaginated hyper-metatexually once-removed sense, the Robot's warning is somewhat ironic as this is the episode where he begins to progress beyond the parameters of his programming to develop both affect and agency and thusly to become the loveable lug I remember from the days of my youth.
The Robot goes missing. Major Don, Dr Smith and Will make it just in time to stop him from destroying the Robotoid. Bright boy Will gets the Robotoid working.
The Robotoid reports to his alien master on a VCD (Visual Communication Device).that the Earthlings are suitable for (dramatic Lost in Space music) …. experimentation.
The Robotoid takes over all of the Robot's work. It is superior to the Robot. It is an asslicker in the way it sucks up to the Robinsons in order to get their trust and in their favour and good books. And Dr Smith is an asshat in the way he cruelly mocks and torments the robot.
Saddened, dejected, rejected and somewhat jealous Robot goes into exile.
The Robotoid steals all the laser guns and sabotages the equipment in the Chariot and J2. He orders everyone inside the ship. Brave boy Will makes a break for it and The Prof and the Major jump the Robotoid.
The Robot pretends that he has gone over to the Robotoid's side (as in against the humans.) He triggers a smoke screen which allows him to get behind the Robotoid and deactivate him
Hooray for the Robot! He has saved the day! The Robinsons give their mechanical friend a big old hug. Hooray for the robot he has saved the day!
Next: The Magic Mirror
The Robot goes missing. Major Don, Dr Smith and Will make it just in time to stop him from destroying the Robotoid. Bright boy Will gets the Robotoid working.
The Robotoid reports to his alien master on a VCD (Visual Communication Device).that the Earthlings are suitable for (dramatic Lost in Space music) …. experimentation.
The Robotoid takes over all of the Robot's work. It is superior to the Robot. It is an asslicker in the way it sucks up to the Robinsons in order to get their trust and in their favour and good books. And Dr Smith is an asshat in the way he cruelly mocks and torments the robot.
Saddened, dejected, rejected and somewhat jealous Robot goes into exile.
The Robotoid steals all the laser guns and sabotages the equipment in the Chariot and J2. He orders everyone inside the ship. Brave boy Will makes a break for it and The Prof and the Major jump the Robotoid.
The Robot pretends that he has gone over to the Robotoid's side (as in against the humans.) He triggers a smoke screen which allows him to get behind the Robotoid and deactivate him
Hooray for the Robot! He has saved the day! The Robinsons give their mechanical friend a big old hug. Hooray for the robot he has saved the day!
Next: The Magic Mirror
Major Dons saves Professor John from last episode's bog's poisonous mist. He sends Dr Smith to Drill Site Five to do some blasting. Will goes along with the 'good' doctor. He sends Will back and throws a stick of dynamite into the bog where it explodes. Unbeknownst to him, an invisible presence arises from the bog.
Coincidentally, that night, Dr Smith makes an Ouija board to contact the ghost of his Uncle Thaddeus . He co...nducts a séance.The Bog Presence runs amok at J2 camp site, smashing and destroying. Dr Smith thinks the BP is his Uncle Thaddeus.
The next day, Don discovers that Dr Smith threw the dynamite in the bog and he and John surmise that the BP is the result. It attacks Don and John. They run back to the ship. At the campsite, the BP attacks. Don tries to shoot at it. Dr Smith interferes to keep him from harming Uncle Thaddeus.
The BP drains the J2 of its power. Don and John figure out that it feeds off electricity. They device and build an ingenious and cunning trap for it.
Dr Smith dresses as a druid and begin an exorcism ritual to rid the planet of the evil spirits he believes are coming.
Will falls into the bog and turns invisible. The BP goes to attack Will. Will gets away. The BP returns to the Bog. The next day Will is visible again. Dr Smith thinks that he (Will) is a ghost. Will assures Dr Smith that he isn't a ghost.
The next day Dr Smith and the Robot return from fishing in a moat, and come face to face with by a dangerous robotoid.
A laissez-faire enough episode that manages to mix logico-structual paradigmatic and syntagmatic plot inconsistences with corn and cheese whilst mingling in dashes and dabs of b&w creepiness. I give it 5 Uncle Thaddeus (Thaddeui?) of 5.
NEXT: War of the Robots!
The BP drains the J2 of its power. Don and John figure out that it feeds off electricity. They device and build an ingenious and cunning trap for it.
Dr Smith dresses as a druid and begin an exorcism ritual to rid the planet of the evil spirits he believes are coming.
Will falls into the bog and turns invisible. The BP goes to attack Will. Will gets away. The BP returns to the Bog. The next day Will is visible again. Dr Smith thinks that he (Will) is a ghost. Will assures Dr Smith that he isn't a ghost.
The next day Dr Smith and the Robot return from fishing in a moat, and come face to face with by a dangerous robotoid.
A laissez-faire enough episode that manages to mix logico-structual paradigmatic and syntagmatic plot inconsistences with corn and cheese whilst mingling in dashes and dabs of b&w creepiness. I give it 5 Uncle Thaddeus (Thaddeui?) of 5.
NEXT: War of the Robots!
Dr Smith reasons to the Robot that now The Keepers have been set free, he (The Keeper) has room on his craft for passengers. “He has to take us to Earth, what else can he do”?
“Destroy us all” responds the Robot.
Dr Smith orders the Robot to wipe his memory banks that have anything to do with their involvement in releasing the creatures.
Professor John and Major encounter a giant iguanodon and hurry back to the J2 to turn on the force field.
John questions Dr Smith who feigns ignorance of the situation and outraged indignation.
The Keeper appears at the J2 and using his superior alien technology (a utility belt that detects guilty consciousnesses) he discover that it was Dr Smith who let the creatures loose. As recompense The Keeper demands that Penny and will be handed over to himor he will allow the monsters to roam the planet.
The next morning, Dr Smith goes to see The Keeper. The Keeper orders him to convince the Robinson to hand over the children. If he fails in his task, Dr Smith will be thrown into a pit that holds a Lovecraftian beast.
Of course, John and Maureen refuse. And offer themselves as specimens, as do Judy and Don.
The Keeper refuses both offers. John swings his arm in frustration and knocks the Keeper’s Creature Controlling/Specimen Summoning Staff to the ground.
John and the others make their way back to the J2.
Meanwhile, The Keeper’s fallen staff releases the horrible many tentacle pit beast which knocks him unconscious.
Once back at the J2, The Robinsons discover that Dr Smith, Penny, and Will are gone. Don and the Robinsons search for them. Smith hurts his foot and they stop to rest. Don finds them and leads them back to the J 2. Meanwhile, at the Keeper's craft, Maureen John reviveThe Keeper.
CUE DRAMATIC LOST IN SPACE INCIDENTAL MUSIC (actually the whole episode has been full of it), the horrible pit monster has cornered Don and the others in the Chariot and is bashing it about. He radios for help .John rushes to the scene. The Keeper appears and drives the monster away. It is act of gratitude to the Robinsons for saving his life.
The Keeper the Robinsons that although he has recaptured all the creature, he will leave one dangerous beast to remind them of their folly.
The Robinsons and Don all laugh heartily when they see who the dangerous creature in captivity is. That Keeper may have been a superior, arrogant, sociopathic alien, but not only was he able to express gratitude but humour (or perhaps humor depending on how aliens spell it) as well. Seems that the Robinsons and their inferior Earth E-motions got to him.
Me: Not living on an South Pacific Island, Nor sailing the high seas with my lady love nor being attacked alien pit monsters. Even Stevens.
“Destroy us all” responds the Robot.
Dr Smith orders the Robot to wipe his memory banks that have anything to do with their involvement in releasing the creatures.
Professor John and Major encounter a giant iguanodon and hurry back to the J2 to turn on the force field.
John questions Dr Smith who feigns ignorance of the situation and outraged indignation.
The Keeper appears at the J2 and using his superior alien technology (a utility belt that detects guilty consciousnesses) he discover that it was Dr Smith who let the creatures loose. As recompense The Keeper demands that Penny and will be handed over to himor he will allow the monsters to roam the planet.
The next morning, Dr Smith goes to see The Keeper. The Keeper orders him to convince the Robinson to hand over the children. If he fails in his task, Dr Smith will be thrown into a pit that holds a Lovecraftian beast.
Of course, John and Maureen refuse. And offer themselves as specimens, as do Judy and Don.
The Keeper refuses both offers. John swings his arm in frustration and knocks the Keeper’s Creature Controlling/Specimen Summoning Staff to the ground.
John and the others make their way back to the J2.
Meanwhile, The Keeper’s fallen staff releases the horrible many tentacle pit beast which knocks him unconscious.
Once back at the J2, The Robinsons discover that Dr Smith, Penny, and Will are gone. Don and the Robinsons search for them. Smith hurts his foot and they stop to rest. Don finds them and leads them back to the J 2. Meanwhile, at the Keeper's craft, Maureen John reviveThe Keeper.
CUE DRAMATIC LOST IN SPACE INCIDENTAL MUSIC (actually the whole episode has been full of it), the horrible pit monster has cornered Don and the others in the Chariot and is bashing it about. He radios for help .John rushes to the scene. The Keeper appears and drives the monster away. It is act of gratitude to the Robinsons for saving his life.
The Keeper the Robinsons that although he has recaptured all the creature, he will leave one dangerous beast to remind them of their folly.
The Robinsons and Don all laugh heartily when they see who the dangerous creature in captivity is. That Keeper may have been a superior, arrogant, sociopathic alien, but not only was he able to express gratitude but humour (or perhaps humor depending on how aliens spell it) as well. Seems that the Robinsons and their inferior Earth E-motions got to him.
Me: Not living on an South Pacific Island, Nor sailing the high seas with my lady love nor being attacked alien pit monsters. Even Stevens.
The Swiss Family Robinson: Winter over, the family searches for a cave to live in. They find one that is suitable. Mrs Robinson makes clothes from plants.
The Space Family Robinson. While drilling for Deutronium, Professor John Robinson gets caught in a bog. Major Don West tries to help him. They both end up stuck. Dr Smith goes back to the Jupiter 2 and tells Will that his father needs a rope at the drilling site. Will saves his father and Don. Is there nothing that brave..., enterprising, plucky young man can’t do?
The Space Family Robinson. While drilling for Deutronium, Professor John Robinson gets caught in a bog. Major Don West tries to help him. They both end up stuck. Dr Smith goes back to the Jupiter 2 and tells Will that his father needs a rope at the drilling site. Will saves his father and Don. Is there nothing that brave..., enterprising, plucky young man can’t do?
John announces that only three canisters of Deutronium are needed to get them off the planet
The next day Don jokingly says they will have to leave Dr Smith behind because there’s not enough fuel to carry his weight. Taking Don seriously, Dr Smith takes Will to his camp and shows him plants that have duplicated some of his things. He tells Will that he can make all the fuel they need. He tricks Will into giving him the real Deutronium.
The plants drain the fuel and grow into giants. Turns out that Deutronium is their food.
Judy Robinson is with Dr Smith, helping look for his camp site among the ever growing jungle of plants. Dr Smith watches her being engulfed by one of the plants. He then returns to the Jupiter 2 and tells the Robinsons that he will tell them where Judy is once he and Don are heading back to Earth – the snivelling scoundrel that he is!
However, Judy returns – albeit with strange, faraway look on her face. During the night she steals all of the Deutronium and feeds it to the plants. Dr Smith realises that it is not Judy at all but a copy of her. He coaxes her into giving him two canisters.
The next morning. The gigantic plants surround the J2. Plant Judy sabotages the chariot which makes John realise that she is not his daughter. The family freezes their way through the plants with CO2 extinguishers. Dr Smith takes the family to where the real Judy is being held.
Later that day, Dr Smith, Debbie the Bloop, Penny, Will, and the Robot find an alien device which sends Penny into oblivion.
To be continued! Same Channel! Same Time. Cue music.
Me: I’m not in oblivion. I’m in Cabra library. It has been a good day
The next day Don jokingly says they will have to leave Dr Smith behind because there’s not enough fuel to carry his weight. Taking Don seriously, Dr Smith takes Will to his camp and shows him plants that have duplicated some of his things. He tells Will that he can make all the fuel they need. He tricks Will into giving him the real Deutronium.
The plants drain the fuel and grow into giants. Turns out that Deutronium is their food.
Judy Robinson is with Dr Smith, helping look for his camp site among the ever growing jungle of plants. Dr Smith watches her being engulfed by one of the plants. He then returns to the Jupiter 2 and tells the Robinsons that he will tell them where Judy is once he and Don are heading back to Earth – the snivelling scoundrel that he is!
However, Judy returns – albeit with strange, faraway look on her face. During the night she steals all of the Deutronium and feeds it to the plants. Dr Smith realises that it is not Judy at all but a copy of her. He coaxes her into giving him two canisters.
The next morning. The gigantic plants surround the J2. Plant Judy sabotages the chariot which makes John realise that she is not his daughter. The family freezes their way through the plants with CO2 extinguishers. Dr Smith takes the family to where the real Judy is being held.
Later that day, Dr Smith, Debbie the Bloop, Penny, Will, and the Robot find an alien device which sends Penny into oblivion.
To be continued! Same Channel! Same Time. Cue music.
Me: I’m not in oblivion. I’m in Cabra library. It has been a good day
The Swiss Family Robinson face a harsh winter on the island. The rain is constant. There's little food left and they have to kill some of their animals.
Space Family Robinson women (and the un-American Dr Smith) fend for themselves as the men (and the good wholesome Will Robinson) set off in search for a water supply.
Penny and Dr Smith discover a damaged Earth spacecraft. Its only passenger is a little dog. Penny falls in love and wants to play fetch with it Dr Smith belie...ves it to be an alien in disguise.
Space Family Robinson women (and the un-American Dr Smith) fend for themselves as the men (and the good wholesome Will Robinson) set off in search for a water supply.
Penny and Dr Smith discover a damaged Earth spacecraft. Its only passenger is a little dog. Penny falls in love and wants to play fetch with it Dr Smith belie...ves it to be an alien in disguise.
Unbeknownst to the women and Dr Smith, a horrible alien mutant monster begins to stalk from the depths of the dastardly darkness. It howls eerily and pilfers food from the J2's pantry. The Robinson women, not knowing about the monster, think that it is dog that has eaten the food.
In a paradigmatic character shift from malevolence to buffoonery, Dr Smith dismantles all the laser guns (except sweet motherly Maureen's) in order to clean them. And then he can't put them back together again. He attempts to use Maureen's gun as a guide. End result: the woman are left without weapons.
Professor John Robinson senses that something is amiss and contacts his wife, the lovely sweet and motherly Maureen. Although she feels that 'something' is not right, she tells him that all is good, He follows his gut feelings and He and Don and Will return to the J2. Will puts all the ray guns back together as easy as peasy. The Monster appears. The men manage to drive it away and the little manages to chase it back into its subterranean abode.
John Williams’ incidental music is used for good creepy, dramatic effect.
Me: I’m the Chairman of the Eternal Tape Machine Recordings
In a paradigmatic character shift from malevolence to buffoonery, Dr Smith dismantles all the laser guns (except sweet motherly Maureen's) in order to clean them. And then he can't put them back together again. He attempts to use Maureen's gun as a guide. End result: the woman are left without weapons.
Professor John Robinson senses that something is amiss and contacts his wife, the lovely sweet and motherly Maureen. Although she feels that 'something' is not right, she tells him that all is good, He follows his gut feelings and He and Don and Will return to the J2. Will puts all the ray guns back together as easy as peasy. The Monster appears. The men manage to drive it away and the little manages to chase it back into its subterranean abode.
John Williams’ incidental music is used for good creepy, dramatic effect.
Me: I’m the Chairman of the Eternal Tape Machine Recordings
The Swiss Family Robinson: The children help their father to make a rope ladder with bamboo steps. They also make a bow and arrows to save their gunpowder in case they encounter scoundrels and ne'erdowells and other sundry dangerous types.
The Space Family Robinson:The family meets astronaut-explorer, Jimmy Hapgood. They help him repair his ship and ask him to take Will and Penny home. Dr. Smith attempts to board the ship to get back to Earth.
Me: feeling a bit better. Apart from that, nothing to report. Nothing to either commiserate or celebrate. Which in itself is good.
The Space Family Robinson:The family meets astronaut-explorer, Jimmy Hapgood. They help him repair his ship and ask him to take Will and Penny home. Dr. Smith attempts to board the ship to get back to Earth.
Me: feeling a bit better. Apart from that, nothing to report. Nothing to either commiserate or celebrate. Which in itself is good.
The Swiss Family Robinson: Father and Fritz* spend two nights on the ship. They get more supplies and tie barrels to the animals and take them ashore.
*William – The father.
Elizabeth – The mother
Fritz –15.years old ...
Ernest –13 years old
Jack –11 years old.
Franz 8 years old
Nip– An orphan monkey adopted by the family.
Fangs – A jackal that was tamed by the family.
*William – The father.
Elizabeth – The mother
Fritz –15.years old ...
Ernest –13 years old
Jack –11 years old.
Franz 8 years old
Nip– An orphan monkey adopted by the family.
Fangs – A jackal that was tamed by the family.
The Space Family Robinson: the planet they are on is moving away from the sun. In order not to freeze to death, the Robinsons pack up and head south and encounter a Cyclops and an ancient deserted city.
Dr. Smith stays at the Jupiter 2 site.
Me. Coughed and sneezed. Looked for work, applied for jobs. Had a chicken skewer and a coffee for lunch. Went to cabra library. They've set up chess sets on two of the tables. Two burly blokes are playing as I write this. I may have just gotten an inspiration that I can't write about. Must let my subconscious mull it over.
I Watched some short (1 -5 min) films. Worked on my novel. Read some articles and essays. Coughed and sneezed some more. Had a nap. Did some housework. Listened to poety podcasts. Ahhh choo!, sniff.
Dr. Smith stays at the Jupiter 2 site.
Me. Coughed and sneezed. Looked for work, applied for jobs. Had a chicken skewer and a coffee for lunch. Went to cabra library. They've set up chess sets on two of the tables. Two burly blokes are playing as I write this. I may have just gotten an inspiration that I can't write about. Must let my subconscious mull it over.
I Watched some short (1 -5 min) films. Worked on my novel. Read some articles and essays. Coughed and sneezed some more. Had a nap. Did some housework. Listened to poety podcasts. Ahhh choo!, sniff.
The Swiss Family Robinson: Father and Fritz* spend two nights on the ship. They get more supplies and tie barrels to the animals and take them ashore.
*William – The father.
Elizabeth – The mother
Fritz –15.years old ...
Ernest –13 years old
Jack –11 years old.
Franz 8 years old
Nip– An orphan monkey adopted by the family.
Fangs – A jackal that was tamed by the family.
*William – The father.
Elizabeth – The mother
Fritz –15.years old ...
Ernest –13 years old
Jack –11 years old.
Franz 8 years old
Nip– An orphan monkey adopted by the family.
Fangs – A jackal that was tamed by the family.
The Space Family Robinson: the planet they are on is moving away from the sun. In order not to freeze to death, the Robinsons pack up and head south and encounter a Cyclops and an ancient deserted city.
Dr. Smith stays at the Jupiter 2 site.
Me. Coughed and sneezed. Looked for work, applied for jobs. Had a chicken skewer and a coffee for lunch. Went to cabra library. They've set up chess sets on two of the tables. Two burly blokes are playing as I write this. I may have just gotten an inspiration that I can't write about. Must let my subconscious mull it over.
I Watched some short (1 -5 min) films. Worked on my novel. Read some articles and essays. Coughed and sneezed some more. Had a nap. Did some housework. Listened to poety podcasts. Ahhh choo!, sniff.
Dr. Smith stays at the Jupiter 2 site.
Me. Coughed and sneezed. Looked for work, applied for jobs. Had a chicken skewer and a coffee for lunch. Went to cabra library. They've set up chess sets on two of the tables. Two burly blokes are playing as I write this. I may have just gotten an inspiration that I can't write about. Must let my subconscious mull it over.
I Watched some short (1 -5 min) films. Worked on my novel. Read some articles and essays. Coughed and sneezed some more. Had a nap. Did some housework. Listened to poety podcasts. Ahhh choo!, sniff.
Last post of tbe day.
The Jupiter 2 has set off for Alpha Centuri. Onboard: The Family Robinson, the all American rough-around-the edges good guy and spaceship pilot Major Don West - and the duplicitious Russian commie spy, would be saboteur.and reluctant stoway: Dr Zachary Smith.
Nothing so exciting so far in my day. Woke up. Had breakfast. Showered, shaved. Checked FB and emails. Applied for jobs. Did some housework. Listened to some podcasts on the social contract. Wrote a... poem. Watched Lost in Space.
The Jupiter 2 has set off for Alpha Centuri. Onboard: The Family Robinson, the all American rough-around-the edges good guy and spaceship pilot Major Don West - and the duplicitious Russian commie spy, would be saboteur.and reluctant stoway: Dr Zachary Smith.
Nothing so exciting so far in my day. Woke up. Had breakfast. Showered, shaved. Checked FB and emails. Applied for jobs. Did some housework. Listened to some podcasts on the social contract. Wrote a... poem. Watched Lost in Space.
Now im off to Fairfield to do some shopping. I might look for The Swiss Family Robinson in the library to reread alongside my rewatching of Lost in Space
There*s gonna be a Lost in Spaceathon thanks to cousin Daryl. I best be getting some moisture ready. Moiiiiisture!
