The Anti-Matter Man

Anti Matter Man is a wonderful, almost perfect episode. It stands out in an erratic season of episodes. Some of this season had good shows , but it also featured some truly low points ( A day at the zoo, Great vegetable rebellion, to name just 2!) But this episode is superior to any other 3rd season show, Sutton Roley directs assuredly and imaginatively from a script by K.C.Alison ( Robert Hamner and Barney Slater )It is a great pity Roley only did a handful of episodes- everyone he did was good if not great. The story may sound old hat- John Robinson is transported to the anti matter world inhabited by his evil alter-ego, leaving John there in the custody of Don West's alter-ego- the double takes John's place with his family.This episode really is tense, grim and features the comedy scenes in the right proportions and not too often. Several scenes stand out- the evil John virtually clubbing The Robot to pieces, again the evil John stalking Will Robinson through space on an eerie stairway of mist and light, the 2 John's fighting in space amongst a myriad of lights.Dr. Smith, Will and The Robot travel to the anti matter world to find the real John Robinson, their adventures along the way are fascinating.A prime example of the perfect Lost In Space. Check it out.

The Anti-Matter Man has long been considered a favorite Lost in Space episode, by most aficionados and perhaps the best color episode. It is easy to make that case. At minimum, I rank this as one of the very best. It is exceptionally well written and moves at a perfect pace.

The Anti-Matter man highlights Prof Robinson, with The Robot in a strong supporting role.

Prof Robinson is transported to an Anti-Matter World and a battle between the real Prof Robinson and the Anti-Matter Prof Robinson ensues.

The Robot, Will and Dr. Smith also enter the Anti-Matter world, which in addition to the Anti-Matter Prof Robinson contain the Anti-Matter Major West and Anti-Matter Robot.

Although not overly brave, Dr. Smith is not his usual over-the-top coward nor a buffoon- very appropriate for this episode.

If one were to nitpick, The Robot has a couple of "campish" moments that keep this from being perfect, but it still easily Rates as a "10".

This was screenwriter K C. Alison's only contribution to LIS, and that's a shame. This powerful story is one of the most memorable from season three.

A major strength of this story is allowing Guy Williams to take center stage, playing good and evil versions of John Robinson. Not only does he get some good action scenes, he also shows his ability to convey emotions through the smallest of gestures and facial expressions. Mark Goddard likewise plays two roles, and his sinister anti-West is truly creepy, with his five-o'clock shadow and droopy eyellid.

The Will/Smith/Robot troika plays a smaller part than usual. Will has some strong lines when confronting his "dad," and later an emotional scene which triggers the famous "happy family" music cue. The Robot continues his evolution into a metal joke machine, including a scene where he too confronts his "evil twin." Voice man Dick Tufeld must have had fun with this one.

As with the recent "Day at the Zoo" episode, the visual side of "Anti-Matter Man" depends heavily on "limbo sets" - dark, expressionistic vistas lit as needed for maximum effect. The pathway between worlds was about as effective as the LIS special effects could make it: a truly eerie dreamscape with smoking dry ice and glittery gauze.

It's good to see how good LIS could be when the creative team thought outside the box.

As stated in another review, if the camp element had been weeded out from this episode, it could have stood up with the first eight episodes (and episode 15) of "Lost in Space." As it is, it's on a par with "Follow the Leader", the first season finale which had many great moments and a few campy ones which detracted from its complete effectiveness.

"The Anti-Matter Man" is probably the very best use of recycling (a common occurrence) in this series: the stark, Stravinsky-like stock music was scored by Herman Stein, and was originally from episode two ("The Derelict"); the rubber-suited red alien was an entirely different character in a prior episode, but put to very good (if utilitarian) use here. There are some superb camera bits, too (kudos to the director, Sutton Roley). And stars Guy Williams and Mark Goddard show more range than expected as Prof. Robinson's and Major West's villainous counterparts.

The effects are OK, but quite atmospheric nonetheless.

After a string of weak episodes we find a really good one. John Robinson is accidentally transported to an antimatter world and his dopelhanger comes to our world. The plot is much like the season 1 episode Follow the Leader, Guy Williams and Mark Goddard get a chance to shine as their sinister counterparts. The atmosphere is well done, both the corridor that leads to the antimatter world and the cave with the cage where John Robinson is kept prisoner is gloomy and creepy. The Anti Matter Man is among the 3 or 4 best episodes of this third season.