Island in the Sky

What can you say about any of these first five episodes of the series..besides the fact that they are the very best of the series. I have even seen people rate this third installment, "Island In The Sky" as the single best episode of LOST IN SPACE. Of course, that could very well be true. Obviously though, that can be said for any of the 'first five' episodes. I do not think there is any other episode of LOST IN SPACE where the Dr. Smith character is at this level of pure evil and wickedness. As some might say, Dr. Smith is "deliciously wicked" in this one. The first twenty minutes of this episode could very well be the very best (approximately) twenty minute section of the series. Indeed. It does not get better than that. Robert, once again, absolutely loves the Johnny Williams music scores in "Island In The Sky"..and who wouldn't? Some of Robert's very favorite music cues (and mine) occur in this episode, his very favorite being the 'crash music.'

It is basically impossible to dislike this episode..or any of the first three episodes so far. Each of the first five episodes of LOST IN SPACE is pure 'elite-ness' high drama, adventure, and enjoyment. The only thing that really varies is in what order fans' like the first five episodes. Rather (perhaps) surprisingly, "Island In The Sky" is actually my #5-ranked. That's right. I like the other four ever so slightly better and I have them ever so slightly higher ranked. It is hard to even come up with much of concrete reasons. The competition is ultra-fierce, and any small things will make the difference.

Besides the ultra-top first twenty minutes, I will mention one other bit I really like..and that would be the part where we first find out where Professor Robinson is, down in that electrified pit, and oh so close by. That bit (along with the accompanying music) leading into the commercial break was great. Of course, the television audience and the Robinson family is introduced to 'Debbie the Bloop' in this episode.

"Don't trust him. He's slippery as a bucket of eels."

LosT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jim~~~~~~~~~

iN

SpacE

Dr. Smith breaks down the rocket boosters that John Robinson will use to leave the ship into space, when the rope that connects him to the ship is cut, he is left adrift, Smith's intention is that one of the members of the family dies and thus return to the original weight and undertake the return to Earth. Far from it, Major West manages to get Smith into the freezer tube and the Jupiter II lands on the unknown planet. They finally find Professor Robinson alive. Dr. Smith launches a new plan, he orders the Robot to eliminate the members of the group one by one. This was a true series of adventures, Smith was really diabolical and his interaction with the robot was scary. A great episode.

While undertaking a one-man reconnaissance of a potential habitable planet, John losses control of his personal rockets and is forced to land. In the meantime, Smith attempts to take over the Jupiter 2 using the robot as an enforcer. Drastic maneuvers by Major West thwarts the planned hijacking but Smith's earlier sabotage of the ship's rockets forces the Jupitar 2 to crash-land on the mysterious planet. The rest of season's episodes take place on this strange world, which is inhabited by an incredibly diverse host of malignant lifeforms as well as Bloops, chimp-like beasts with ears like donkeys. This episode maintains the serious tone that marked the first few episodes of the series (and which are generally considered the best) before 'Lost in Space' descended to the colourful, ridiculous, camp silliness that many people remember. 'Island in the Sky' has some nice special effects and is a solid season-one entry as well as an introduction to the scenario that would influence the plots of the ensuing 25 season 1 outings.

The Jupiter 2 crash lands on an alien planet.

Another totally outstanding episode of Lost In Space. Just a tiny drop in quality compared to the last two episodes (The Reluctant Stowaway and The Derelict) as the really big events have happened now...the ship has blasted off, it got lost in space, they all found out that Smith is a creep and they had their first encounter with space aliens.

But don't worry, there are still more things to happen...a Jupiter 2 crash landing on an alien planet and the Robot starts talking a lot more. Jonathan Harris as Smith continues to be outstanding.

More wonderful John Williams music as well.

Fans of Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea will get a thrill out of the Jupiter 2 crash as it was filmed exactly the same way as the endless flying sub footage in Voyage...in real daylight. Effects man Howard Lydecker is the man responsible for the flying sub/Jupiter 2 effects.

This being the third episode, we already see the Robot falling out of Dr Smith's good graces. It's interesting, how the concept apparently changed within the first few episodes of the show. At first, Dr Smith and the Robot were not part of the show. When these two characters were introduced, it was Smith and the Robot against everyone else. Very shortly, the Robot started to move away from Smith, and towards the Robinsons. This episode also marked the introduction of the Bloop (although the Bloop did appear in the unaired pilot episode). Also curious is how Penny first referred to the Bloop as "him." Two minutes later, she says: "I'm going to call you Debbie." Penny always was a little genius, wasn't she? The humorous exchanges between Smith and the Robot were great (as well as when Smith tries to convince Prof Robinson and Major West of his sudden "reformation."