‘Lost in Space’ Recap: ‘Precipice’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

​You know I have to fully admit that when I settled in to watch the next episode of Lost in Space, I expected a particular formula to play out on the screen. Which isn’t an insult by any means, because formula and science fiction go together like mashed potatoes and gravy, and this is a series that benefitted from formula in season one. After all, every adventure featured new and alien challenges for the Robinson clan to face, and that made for some pretty entertaining television to say the least, so why not stick with what works since the series is still in its early life cycle. But as it turns out, this series already wants to be more and do more with its storytelling and it just so happens that the next chapter in this saga was full of surprises.
 
For ‘Precipice’ more or less bid farewell to the formula present within its framework in the sneakiest way imaginable, since this particular tale made it seem as though formula was still going to be a large part of the nature of this series. For when we catch up with space family Robinson in this one, they’re where we usually find them, out of time and in need of a big win. Because the clock was ticking to prepare the Jupiter 2 to become a massive lightning rod, so that the crew could recharge the power cells and get the hell off this rock and that of course meant that nothing would go to plan in the slightest. For a strange kelp that was grabbing hold of the ship hurt Don with its strange and poisonous bite and things only got worse from there.
 
Because while rescuing Don from said kelp, Penny and Maureen found themselves caught up in the currents surrounding the ship and plunged to the strange structure below, wherein Will and his dad had to think fast and find a way to save them before the lightning strikes took their lives and well, this is about as formula for the show as it gets. Because you had crew members in trouble or down, you had Smith scheming like she always does, since she revealed to Don that she planned to pit the family against one another, all in the hopes of keeping her hide out of jail if and when the ship makes it to Alpha Centauri. And of course, you had complications in the plan coming up left and right since the kelp made it difficult to get the Chariot down to Penny and Maureen, since it would serve as their salvation/rescue pod when the sky lit up.  
 
But that is when the series surprised all of us in its closing moments. For the haphazard plan put together in a matter of minutes actually came together and saved the ship, and this intrepid family and their bonus crew escaped this hostile world and would survive to see another day, and wouldn’t you know it… there’s actual hope on the horizon for them, because the Resolute is within range and well, this just a fascinating and wonderful way to shatter this show’s formula. Because in a weird way, by having formula play out for a fair chunk of this episode, we get to properly say goodbye to it before this story takes us to some fascinating new places and now the possibilities are endless for this brave crew, now that they are free of the drawn out explorations and problems of the week that were present last year.
 
Which means the hunt for the Robot can take place quickly, we can see if Alpha Centauri is within reach, and who knows… maybe Smith will finally get her comeuppance. But while those were just some of the possibilities swimming through my head after this episode came to a close, time has made me think that some of these things may not happen in the slightest. For if the series is looking to shake things up and surprise us, why stick with the obvious plot points? Why not surprise us with some more twists and turns, and the potential for a bold new direction for this series has me excited to continue the journey. So, if you’ll excuse me, it’s back to the void, to see what the Robinson clan finds when they arrive at the Resolute. Until next time.  

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