Lost in Space: Season 1, Episodes 4-6

4: There Were Giants in the Earth
It's a bit disjointed this one, but there's lots going on, whether it be earthquakes or lightning storms or killer robots or mysterious ruins or plunging planetary temperatures.
There is a rather twee "relationship" developing between Major West and Judy, and although the overnight camping scene, where Will sings Greensleeves on his guitar, sent me behind the sofa, it's nice to get some characterising interaction at last.
The warmth between the Robinson parents is obvious, and reinforces the fact this would have to be a well adjusted and cohesive family to have been sent into space collectively like this.
Dr Smith's staying behind to face the plunging temperatures of the Jupiter 2's location is an interesting development, and although he has been left with the robot, I believe Will took the power pack with him, so it will be interesting to see where the plot goes next and how the family is reunited with Smith.
Above all else - more distracting than giant killer peas and a murderous rock-throwing cyclops with a bad aim - it is Maureen Robinson's washing basket which makes me smile most.
Surrounded by space-faring technology, multi-tasking robots and a washing machine which folds and shrink-wraps your clothes, there's nothing quite as reassuring as a good ol' plastic washing basket to remind you you're watching B-movie sci-fi from 1965!

5: The Hungry Sea
Now that I know unused pilot footage was fed back into the televised stories I can see why the ongoing storyline which started out so strongly is starting to meander a little, and this is an example of that.
It's all well and good the Robinsons jumping into the Chariot to escape the plunging temperatures of the Jupiter 2's crash site, crossing a frozen ocean to reach warmer climes, but then the temperature begins to hot up and they have to run all the way back again!
It's an episode in which nobody gets anywhere fast - literally. However, the mad science displayed here about planetary orbits had me smiling, while anything that has Major West take items of clothing off has my vote.
Poor Jonathan Harris has to resort to talking to the robot for much of this episode, but the camp dialogue makes up for it and they are all reunited by the end, which bodes well.

6: Welcome, Stranger
The first episode since the opener to feature a character other than the Jupiter 2 crew.
Hapgood has the potential to annoy and come over as an irritating "space cowboy", but thankfully Warren Oates steers clear of the obvious and instead opts for the "bruiser with a heart of gold" portrayal.
Although the dialogue gets a little sickly-sweet at times - when Hapgood ponders the nature of his life among the stars - it doesn't spoil what is an enjoyable episode.
The alien spores that envelop Hapgood's ship are a little superfluous, obviously there only to satisfy younger viewers' need for monsters and action, but the main thrust of the piece is the effect their abandonment on this strange world has on the family unit. At the first opportunity, John and Maureen wish to send their children back to the safety of Earth, and the scene in which they discuss what to do with Penny and Will is lovely.
Elsewhere we have a scheming Dr Smith, who manages a couple of moments of sheer "bastardness" when trying to inveigle his way aboard Hapgood's flight. And I love his operation on the robot, complete with white coat and prophylactic gloves!
Major West is sidelined quite severely here, but then this is a story about the family Robinson, and at least Don gets to have a fist fight with Hapgood to earn his weekly wage!
Also lost in space: Warren Oates (1928-82) appeared in Rawhide, The Virginian and Gunsmoke - perhaps he was typecast?