Lost in Space

Since it was suggested that it might be of interest to readers here, I have a review at Strange Horizons discussing Netflix’s remake of Lost in Space, released in mid-April.

In that sense, at least, Netflix’s latest reboot of the Lost in Space concept demonstrates some good instincts. The new show isn’t as campy or as contrived as the original. It actually takes some time to ground its premise—a nuclear family bent on the colonization of extra-solar planets, who find themselves thrown off-course, with a conniving drama queen of a scientist along for the ride—in something like story sense and coherent SF worldbuilding. But it does call back to the original show’s earnestness and wholesomeness, updating both for the twenty-first century. The ’60s Lost in Space would not have had John Robinson muse that although his oldest child is not his biological daughter, he feels that she is the most like him of his children. But the sentiment is very much in keeping with the family-first mentality of the original show. I have no idea whether modern children will respond to the new Lost in Space, but the show neither talks down to them nor desperately begs for their approval, which must be a good starting point.

It’s definitely an unnecessary show, but also a great demonstration of how you can take an inherently cynical concept and execute it with intelligence and care to create something worthwhile. I was particularly pleased with how the show handles its female characters, not only gender-swapping Doctor Smith but giving Maureen Robinson a much stronger personality and a lot more to do.

Since writing the review, I’ve had the dubious pleasure of watching Solo: A Star Wars Story, a perfectly inoffensive film that nevertheless has zero justification for existing. It’s instructive to compare the approaches taken by the people who revitalized Lost in Space and the people who tried to turn Han Solo into a franchise. The former have a far greater awareness of the need to create something vital to hang around their IP, whereas the latter are content to wallow in fanservice. If you’re looking for an unnecessary throwback to shlocky SF history (and especially one you can enjoy with kids), Lost in Space is the better bet.