'Lost in Space' Recap: 'Impact'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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​Growing up, there were really three key science fiction franchises that I was introduced to that helped make me into the happy and proud nerd that I am today. Two of them just so happened to be the iconic Star Wars and Star Trek, but the other one that also managed to catch my eye was the fascinating Lost in Space. Granted, I didn’t dive into that series as deeply as I did the first two that I mentioned, but it was a series that my father watched when he was a kid and since he is man I greatly admire, I definitely gave it a watch whenever a re-run popped up here and there, and I definitely enjoyed the lighthearted tone that it had to offer and needless to say, when the 1998 motion picture iteration of this series hit theaters, my family and I made a point to check that out as well just to see how the franchise had evolved. 
 
That little trip down memory lane matters when it comes to this storied saga simply because, Netflix has taken the opportunity to revitalize a franchise that quite frankly…has not withstood the test of time all that well. While the original series is beloved, it shows its age and its super cheery plot lines don’t quite resonate like they used to and well, the movie remake was polarizing because at times it was far too dark for its own good. Which meant that Netflix had quite the task in front of them when it comes to this series, because how does one make a show about being lost in space that pleases the audiences of today? As it turns out the answer to that question is simple, by loading up the pilot episode, ‘Impact’, with something for everyone.
 
For those of us who enjoy a touch of darkness and grit when it comes to our science fiction, there’s plenty of that to be found in this opening episode, and it is handled in brilliant fashion. Because from the get go, we are right in the thick of things with the Robinson family as they crash land on an alien world after escaping epic disaster aboard a ship known as the Resolute and well, their plight leads to some incredibly intense moments that hold your attention over the course the hour and all of the pitfalls help you to care about this family through and through as they try their best to survive what appears to be one hell of a hostile environment and it just so happens, that the family unit in and of itself, is what helps lift this story into brighter territory when things seem incredibly bleak.
 
Because it’s clear in this iteration of the franchise, that the Robinson family is a shattered clan, complete with a father who is often vacant from their lives due to work and this trip to the stars to escape a dying Earth, is designed to unify the family and it would seem that their harrowing adventures going forward may indeed do just that since they are willing to do anything and everything to survive, together, and that is quite the beautiful theme to see to say the least and it makes for some touching moments indeed as the hour rolls on. But, outside of merely giving us two key elements that everyone can enjoy when it comes to this series, it’s clearly building up a bigger plot in slow and methodical fashion behind the scenes as well, because the mystery of what happened aboard the Resolute hangs over this episode like a dark cloud.
 
After all, the robot that befriends Will in this story appears to be the one responsible for the destruction of the Resolute, and despite the wonderful things it does for the Robinson family in this tale, one has to wonder…is this robot friend or foe? Plus, there is the whole the matter of the mysterious ‘Doctor Smith’ and whatever it is she’s up to since she was happy to steal her identity to survive. Either way, I have to admit that I’m impressed, this series has plenty of offer its audience and I’m definitely intrigued by everything I’ve seen, and I love that this latest iteration of the saga does its best to pay tribute to everything that came before it, while forging a new direction for the story and I’m ready to see where else the Robinson family is going to take us storytelling wise, as this inaugural season rolls on. Until next time. 

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