Lost in Space - Wild Adventure (1965)

Dr. Smith is bewitched by Athena the space siren

This eleventh volume in the original "Lost in Space" videotape collection represents the second episode of the second season, which is when they started filming episodes in color. In the previous episode, "Blast Off into Space," that is exactly what the Jupiter II does as Priplanus breaks up and the space family Robinson have to leave pretty darn quick. Now that there is no longer a planet falling apart to make things exciting, we are back to Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) causing problems. Still, having the crew actually in space again was a treat after the show became a series of guest stars popping by for a visit during most of the first season.

Episode 31, "Wild Adventure" (Written by William Read Woodfield and Alan Balter, First aired September 21, 1966) has the Robinsons deciding that now that they are finally in space again they should not return to Earth but set course again for Alpha Centauri. Of course, Dr. Smith does not like this idea, especially since he has calculated a course to get back home (really, he is this smart apparently) so he dumps the ship's fuel into space (okay, so he is really stupid). This means that they need more fuel, so they stop at a refueling barge conveniently placed in the middle of nowhere by Alpha Control for just this eventuality (Earth people are smart, except for Smith).

However, his creates a new problem because Athena (Vitina Marcus), this green woman floating around in space, consumes deutronium as food and would like some more. So she tags along with the Jupiter II. The next thing we know she is bewitching Smith who tries to fly the ship into a sun and then goes for a little space walk with a silly grin on his face. If ever there was a time for Don West to step up and insist they take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of Dr. Smith once and for all this would be it. The major does speak up, but you know how the Robinsons feel about human life and all that nonsense, so another golden opportunity to get back on track goes down the tubes.

Essentially what we have here is a reset for the show, this time in color, as the Dr. Smith is once again responsible for the Jupiter II ending up (altogether now) lost in space rather than on their way to Alpha Centuri. The encounter with the green girl is certainly interesting and one of the most memorable alien encounters of the entire three year run of the show, but even I, as monumentally ignorant of science in general not to mention physics and astronomy in particular, have to shake my head at how quickly the Jupiter II gets from nowhere to close to Earth to back to being lost again. You can have the pathos of contacting Alpha Control via the barge without having to do the whole "missed it by that much" routine. So the scientific mumbo-jumbo detracts just enough to make me round down on this one. April 27, 2005

Finally out in space....but to where?

This episode intrigued me the most because of the creative way the Astrogator was used to plot their time-space solution to avoid a collision with the star SOL! Excellent humor as Doctor Zachary Smith dumps the RFC system! I was sure Don West or John Robinson would throw him overboard when I first saw this 33 years ago! Also I found it exciting when Alpha Control finally made contact with the Robinson crew! A must for all Lost In Space Fans! It was this episode plus "The Raft" which caused me to write the book "Jupiter 2 Propulsion Specifications". Excellent story! June 16, 2003

Way better than Blast Off Into Space!

This is an excelent episode! full of chills and thrills. Plus Dr. Smith puts his clumsyness to entertainmental use! Great for any fan of Lost In Space! May 22, 2000

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