‘Lost in Space’ Recap: ‘Final Transmission’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 306 of ‘Lost in Space’.
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Stories that follow a formula where the plot ebbs and flows, are quality tales for certain. Simply because these are stories that understand the importance of giving the audience a break from non-stop action, so they can process any critical moments that came about during the chaos. Which in turn creates a rich experience that invests the viewer or reader because they know that they are in good hands and are going to enjoy a thoughtful and complete experience. And all of those reasons are precisely why fans of Lost in Space on Netflix have stood by this series since day one and believe it or not… this particular series found a way to use that edict, to take this story in a stunning direction.
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Because when we catch up with the Robinson family in ‘Final Transmission’, they’re mostly reunited aboard the Jupiter 2 and get down to work in repairing the vessel, whilst taking the time to catch up properly with one another after spending a year apart. Which genuinely slowed things down and allowed for the characters and the audience to process the tough year this family has experienced and that was further enhanced by the long-awaited arrival of Major Don West. Since he was finally back on his feet after getting backhanded by SAR, and despite having one heck of a shiner, he was in good spirits and eager to discuss his experiences and that’s when this episode decided to take quite the turn.

For the safety and security that was surrounding us in this tale, evaporated by way of some connected dots. Because shortly before Don returned home, Maureen and John were able to figure out that SAR made first contact with humanity by boarding the Fortuna, and that his scans of a sleeping Grant… allowed for him to extrapolate Earth’s location, courtesy of the space dust that we are made of, and it didn’t take long for that epiphany; to bring forth terror aboard the ship. Since Don made it clear that SAR took the time to scan him as well, and in doing so… was able to figure out the exact location of the colony at Alpha Centuari. Which put the family into a scramble to launch as soon as possible to warn their fellow colonists of a brutal and impending attack.

But for some odd reason, SAR didn’t launch, leaving the family to wonder why and well… one person aboard knew why. For Will knew SAR undoubtedly wanted to see him face to face and young Will obliged with that silent request. All in the hopes of finally making peace with this bloodthirsty and angry robot and sadly, his attempts to find common ground, ended in stunning disaster. For not only did SAR reveal that he killed his masters, so that robot-kind could be free, but he also made it clear that Will was another obstacle in that matter and had no qualms with attempting to kill Will. All to end another threat before heading to Alpha Centauri to end humanity, and well, that’s where this episode leaves us. With Will in cryosleep, barely hanging on, and with the Jupiter 2 and SAR’s ship racing toward Alpha Centauri and fates unknown.

If anything, this was just a brilliant episode when all is said and done. Simply because it used a standard formula for the show to lull us into a false sense of security, all so that it could shock and stun us in ways the show never has before, and the writers’ room deserves a round of applause for going this route. Because there are no guarantees that Will or anyone else will survive what is to come. Making this the bravest episode of this series to date, one that leaned hard into the potential of the final season and that definitely leaves the audience starving for more. Because just like that the stakes are at their highest and we simply have to know what comes next as we barrel toward what is shaping up to be the epic end to this grand and sweeping adventure through the cosmos. Until next time.

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