In
“The Prisoners of Space,” an alien representative of the Galactic Tribunal of
Justice reports that the Robinson Family is under indictment for crimes “committed in space,” and is under house
arrest.
Almost instantly, a deadly
barrier appears around the camp. It is lethal to touch the barrier, let alone
escape from the settlement.
Dr.
Smith (Jonathan Harris) is relieved to learn that he has not been indicted for
any crimes, while the Robinsons wonder about the nature of alien “justice.”
Soon,
Professor Robinson (Guy Williams) is transported to an alien court-room via “molecular
transfer beam,” and his mind is probed using a “memory machine.”
Other
witnesses are also called before the tribunal, including Don West (Mark
Goddard) and Will (Bill Mumy).
Each
witness recounts different aspects of the Robinsons’ journey, from Earth to
Priplanus, and the aliens begin to develop a picture involving Dr. Smith’s
culpability. Soon, he too is required to
testify, though Smith attempts to avoid it.
After
testifying at the court, Smith is found guilty, but the Robinsons deliver a
petition to the court noting that he is mentally incompetent, and not guilty by
reason of insanity…
Although
at times it threatens to become that dreaded animal, “the clips show,” “Prisoners
in Space” is nonetheless an entertaining second season episode of Lost in Space
(1965 – 1968).
At the very least, the
episode remembers series history, featuring footage from “The Reluctant
Stowaway” and “The Derelict,” and makes Smith accountable for his actions. Albeit briefly.
In
particular, I like the look of the alien courtroom in this episode. It resembles a foggy
Stonehenge, with a “memory chair” as the witness stand.
Several fearsome aliens stand around the
perimeter of the set, looking creepy and menacing.
Among those featured here are the spider from “Forbidden World” and the
plant-man from “The Raft.” The alien that delivers the tribunal’s communicator
to camp is from “The Magic Mirror.”
And
the judge is the bubble creature from “The Derelict.” In one of the episode’s
best moments, the judge acknowledges that it is of the same race as the being shot by
Smith in that superior episode.
Some
aspects of the episode leave something to be desired, of course, The barrier around the
Robinsons’ camp, for instance, looks constructed of cellophane.
And again, one must wonder why an official
organization, like the Galactic Tribunal, doesn’t step in to save the
Robinsons.
As this episode points out,
virtually every disaster on the series has occurred because of Smith's behavior, or
because the Robinsons are lost.
So why
don’t the judges send the family home?
Or offer to give the family members the knowledge they need to be functioning, productive members
of the larger galactic society?
Instead, the court just leaves them stranded on the planet.
Despite
these flaws, “Prisoner in Space” is oddly entertaining and amusing. The episode’s punch-line, that Smith is
mentally incompetent to stand trial, is a perfect joke. As is its follow-up: The Robot is assigned to be Smith’s caretaker
by the court, watching his every move.
I
sure as Hell wouldn’t want that job, but the Robot, a perfect foil for Smith,
is the ideal candidate.
This
episode makes no sense, really, and the old clips mostly serve to remind one how much better the
serious, black-and-white episodes of the series were by comparison to the
second season re-boot.
But “Prisoners of Space” moves fast, is colorful and
funny and at least doesn’t repeat a story we’ve seen a dozen times before. In a very diminished season in terms of storytelling, this story is more tolerable than many.
Next
week: “The Android Machine”
Definitely one of the best episodes of season two.
ReplyDeleteSGB
John,
ReplyDeleteThis episode is pretty close in quality and imagination to a First Season episode. It has the right blend of mystery, suspense, and humor.
Y'know, I really never thought about the fact that every. single. one of the alien species the Robinsons meet just leave them stranded. Then again, the family doesn't seem too concerned with being rescued, stating again and again that they'd rather go to Alpha Centauri and complete their mission than return to Earth.
Maybe that's why Smith was always throwing them under the Space Bus. He was the only one that wanted to go back, and already knew the Robinsons would just choose to go in the opposite direction.
Steve