I watched a lot of Irwin Allen productions back then, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "Time Tunnel," and "Swiss Family Robinson" were just a few of the fantastical TV shows I fed on as a child. Probably explains my obsession with Star Wars when it came out and then in the years to follow, the Marvel universe.
The Robinson family, John, his wife Maureen, son Will, and daughters Penny and Judy were joined on there adventures by Don West and Dr. Smith and a robot, known simply as Robot. June Lockhart was the typical 60's mom, instead of with Lassie as the backdrop, it was space. Guy Williams was the strong leader, the dad who always knew the right thing to do. The sisters were pretty and typical teens. Will was mischievous but good-hearted. Don was always the hero and Dr. Smith was always getting the team into some kind of trouble.
When heard Netflix was rebooting the series, I was immediately intrigued, but my schedule hadn't afforded me the time to watch it until this weekend.
So, all the favorites were there, but with a modern twist. Now it's Mom who is the rocket scientist and in charge of the mission. She is smart, capable, and doesn't take crap from anyone. Her husband John is a military man, an absentee dad who has been on deployment more than present for his family and wants to make up for lost time. Penny (16) is the artist, the computer expert, and the typical teen. Her older sister Judy is a doctor (at 18) and like her non-biological dad, a lot stubborn and very strong willed. Will (11) is full of self-doubt and fear, not exactly sure he should be on this mission, but smarter than all of them put together, more than likely. Don West is there, but this version is a bit of a scoundrel with a soft heart. Dr. Smith is not a doctor, but a female sociopathic criminal who takes her sister's place on the voyage. And Robot is there too, and its story is what really makes the excitement of the show.
The cast is strong. Molly Parker (Deadwood, House of Cards) as Maureen has a mind so sharp and is so focused on her children's survival that sometimes she forgets just to be a mom. Toby Stephens (13 Hours, Black Sails) as John is strong, yet completely aware of his short-comings in this situation. Maxwell Jenkins as Will is a kid who wants to see the best in everyone through his fear and self-doubt. The sisters Penny (Mina Sundwall) and Judy (Taylor Russell) bring both the bond and the conflict of sisterhood to the screen. Don West is played by Ignacio Serricchio who was one of my favorite "squints" in the final seasons of "Bones". He does a great job bringing the likable side through and you can see the beginnings of chemistry between him and Judy. My least favorite character was definitely Dr. Smith, played by Parker Posey, but that was just as it was supposed to be. She does an excellent job as a sociopath, always on the hunt for what she wants but able to hide in plain sight.
The series opens with the Robinsons and many others making the trip to Alpha Centauri. Earth has become inhabitable both physically, politically, and socially. They are chosen with other families to make the trip and begin an new society. But, the space station transporting them is attacked by aliens and they are forced to evacuate. The Robinsons along with others crash land on a planet, and the adventure really begins.
The special effects are awesome. They designed Robot to be able to be both scary as all get out and confidence-building in turn. The landscapes are breathtaking in one moment and frightening in the next. There's a hazard around every turn, and if there's a problem to be overcome, the Robinson's are going to do it, but not without throwing a wrench in it first.
It was a great ride. If you like sci-fi, adventure, and family stories, you will love this. I did.
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