Netflix's Lost in Space

I have been watching the initial episodes of Netflix’s Lost in Space series and am impressed with the way the scriptwriters have both started the series and developed it. First to say, the initial episode (as is the initial chapter) of a series is difficult. Whilst the writers don’t get everything right so much goes well. As with any endeavour, they have to deal with limits. Each episode has to ahve two elements in it. One is to have a complete story within the episode and the second is to (in episode one to set up) develop the longer story line. They do a good job in both.

First a slight warning: Spoilers ahead.

The story is based on the 1960s TV series with the same title. In many ways the set up is similar. Both are about a family (and this makes for great interactions) and share the concept of being lost in space. At this point, the similarities diverse. The interesting element here is that the rather straightforward—some might say, domestic—drama of the original with a few add-ons involving ScFi ideas interwoven is now much more sophisticated and, judging from the early episodes, the story arc is much more carefully considered with initial issues followed by surprise developments.

The first episode starts in media res and then has flashbacks to explain how the main characters arrived where they were. This works to build suspense. Whether that would work in a written work is less clear, but it’s a neat idea.

A really, really nice element of interpersonal conflict is introduced within the family. Far from being the wholesome 1960s family, the family here is disfuncational to a high degree. This equally contrasts with the movie version of Lost in Space where, although there are some frictions within the family, this works generally as a unit albeit with the individuals within it having different goals.

There are key issues between John and Maureen. She’d planed the space emigration leaving him behind because of their estrangement prior to the expedition! A clear arc for these two is how they learn to rediscover why they loved each other in the first place. The trials and tribulations of their new (hostile) environment and circumstances is likely to act both as catalyst and impediment. Great stuff for developing a good story here.

Equally, there is strong tensions between the two daughters, Penny and Judy. They are very different characters and clearly do not get along as a result. These tensions flow over to parents as well. There is so much potential here and I look forward to seeing how the scriptwriters develop these in future episodes.

The last character is the outsider , Will. There is some rapport between John as dad and Will but equally some disagreements between mum, Maureen, and son. One gets hints that she doesn’t accept he is, while still young, quite grown up. He is certainly different and is, perhaps, meant to be slightly Asperger’s. It is hinted at that he sees the world differently (and this is, of course, one of his strengths).

The series setting and basis (lost in space) is a good one and I like the fact the writers have avoided going for the cliche alien settings. There are many challenges presented early on, any one of which would be an insurmountable problem on its own, but when combined and interracting make the future prospects for the survival of the family highly doubtful. Hence, plenty of suspense.

Obviously one difference to a novel (in some senses a series such as this is more akin to a linked series of short stories sharing setting and characters, much like the first Witcher book, for instance, is the need to close off the episode story arc. It does force closure when a better plot would leave these open. An example of this is episode two where everyone is reunited, albeit with new threats/issues, whereas a longer piece might have seen this deferred (or might never happen—wow!).

Do I commend this series? Well, if like me, you like such dramas and the science fiction setting (I really warmed to Disney+’s Foundation series for many of the same reasons as I have to Lost in Space) then it is worth a look.

Enjoy!