The Thief from Outer Space

This is one of my favorite episodes for three reasons: 1 and 2 are Malachi Throne and Ted Cassidy, two marvelous actors with incredible voices. To have both in the same episode is music to my ears. Unfortunately when I last talked with Ted in 1974 we were too busy with his newly-released feature to talk about this episode, and he tragically died a few years later; but I would have loved to hear his behind-the-scenes stories. Reason 3 is the genuine connection between Malachi and Bill Mumy. I believe him when the thief says "I will miss you, boy. Remember me".

If you like stories which are pure fantasy then you'll like this one. If you are the sort of person that prefers hard sci-fi, then you won't like this one.

This episode sees Will become friends with an alien version of an Arabian Shiek. The Shiek is played by the great Malachi Thorne who brings a lot of energy and fun to this episode. As another reviewer mentioned, he has a fantastic voice that I could listen to over and over.

There are many comedic moments in this episode. One which I found particularly funny was when Will called Penny a "female camel" and plays all tough with her. Also to see Dr Smith underneath a swinging blade that is about to cut him in two is very funny.

With The Thief from Outer Space, we are approaching the rock bottom for Season Two episodes.

The only reason I gave this a "2" instead of a "1" is: the great visual of the asteroid- which is top notch special effects, because Ted Cassidy (Lurch) is in it and for some of the colorful outfits and gadgets.

Other than that, this is pure non-sense. It is one of the episodes that is best described as dream that makes no sense, but seems to be colorful and fun.

There is plenty of Dr. Smith buffoonery and some over the top acting by The Thief.

The ending is absolutely idiotic and likely insulting to some.

I've must to admit that expected much more from The Thief from Outer Space, a bit complex episode, it' wasn't a sci-fi episode properly speaking, just a odd fantasy based in those Arabian tales, Malachi Throne as the thief and Teddy Lurch Cassidy as the slave, the thief appears on the planet stealing tools, Smith and Bill be frightened over so menacing voice, asking for hidden treasures on the unknown planet or they'll be destroyed, Bill wisely explains that there isn't anything valiable, just a Robinson's broken spacecraft, later Bill, Smith and the Robot thru a chair transportation were materialized on the Thief's Asteroid, first Bill is receiving by the slave, who put him work in the furnace heating for a while, noticed by the Thief which looks like the boy, otherwise when he see the useless liar Smith he puts him over the pendulum's table as punishment, this turn Smith haven't success with your odd gimmicks, actually the Thief looking for a bottle which has a trapped beauty Princess, located at Robinson's camp, the Thief releases the Princess, however she is no longer is pretty or young, in fact she becomes fat and older, funny episode driven for kid's audience, as often the main cast were put aside as mere supporting actors!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

A scimitar wielding thief straight out of '1001 Nights' (Malachi Throne) and his towering slave (Ted Cassidy) arrive in search of a princess who was kidnapped by an evil vizier two centuries earlier. By this point in the series there is little 'science' in the fiction as Will, Penny, and Smith travel to the thief's asteroid base in an apparently magical sedan-chair with open windows. As a strange bottle fell on the planet in the opening scenes, the 'treasure' the thief is seeking is apparent to everyone other than Will and Penny, otherwise the 'plot' winds along somewhat less predictably than earlier season 2 episodes. Throne hams it up (not surprisingly, given his lines and costume) and Cassidy is his usual large, basso self. The 'twist' ending is pretty funny but may earn 'tsk tsks' from those with easily offended modern sensibilities. Far from brilliant but fun enough to pass the time.