REVIEW: Lost In Space, Season 2 Episode Seven 'Evolution'

 REVIEW: Lost In Space, Season 2 Episode Seven 'Evolution'

The end of the previous episode saw Will Robinson (Maxwell Jenkins) finally reunited with his robot friend (Brian Steele). Their friendship has always been one of the most endearing aspects of this reboot, and so it was great to see the pairing finally reunited. It's brings the heart to Lost In Space, offering a certain charm to proceedings that many shows would only dream of possessing.

Only Will is not the only character the robot forms a meaningful attachment to this time round. For this episode is also the story of a robot and its horse. It's quite a sweet little narrative, as the robot learns to care for the horse, and forms this strong connection to the hoofed animal. It's also extremely important to the plot of the second season, as we learn that the alien robot - unlike the others in its race - has the ability to defy its programming, and show emotional range. It's not just all data and processing commands, as Ben Adler (JJ Feild) seems to suggest, this robot has an emotional core. 

The robot's story regarding its new friend unfortunately has a very tragic end. The horse loses its life in a stampede of alien wilderbeast, despite the robot's desperate attempts to protect it, and honestly it has to be the most depressing moment in this series. It's so sad and touching, seeing this robot's distraught reaction and outpouring of grief upon losing its new mate in this way. There's something undeniably cruel about how they had only just met, only to be torn apart by death. It's testament to how the show has given this alien robot so much personality that we care for it upon this loss that it experiences; the programme has really made us feel for the thing.

Back on the Resolute, John (Toby Stephens) has made a quick recovery and is fuming with Captain Kamal (Sakina Jaffrey). In the previous episode, she was happy to let Penny (Mina Sundwall) die among with those trapped inside the classroom, and John understandably is not happy about it. It's a brilliant scene as it further stresses just how tightly knit the Robinsons are. They come as a family unit,  and a threat to just one of them is a threat to them all. The Robinsons are essentially the ultimate family, sharing that closeness and caring nature that epitomises what it means to be one.

It's here on the ship's bridge where John learns about a strange signal being detected by the Resolute. It's revealed to be coming from an armada of alien ships, and if Scarecrow is anything to go by I'm not sure they're going to be as friendly as Will's robot. Especially when we see the desperation in full play, as the Resolute's crew decide they must leave as soon as possible and leave those still on the planet below behind. There's a real urgency behind this reveal, which is a very effective method of setting just how high the stakes are. If the ship's crew are worried, then we as viewers are worried. 

One of the very best parts of this instalment is seeing John and Doctor Smith (Parker Posey) turn up to discover the truth behind the signal. This is such a fun pairing, because despite their differences they are both ultimately very similar. John, like Doctor Smith has a criminal past, and both will do whatever it takes to reach their own goals. They're really not as contrasting in personality as they like to believe, and I'm always a sucker for when shows use their villain to be the mirror image of their protagonist like this. 

This instalment ends with the Robinsons and Doctor Smith deciding to lead a mutiny, in order to save the people on the planet below. This is something that offers a lot of potential, as the Robinsons are not the type to stab people in the back like this.  Suddenly they're placed in a situation where they're going to have to get their hands dirty, in order to overthrow the crew of an entire colony ship, and that's an interesting position to put them in. It's not the behaviour that's typical of them, and again it brings them closer to the tricks and deception of Doctor Smith.

Overall, 'Evolution' is an excellent instalment in Lost In Space's second season. It forwards the arcs of our characters considerably, whilst also offering a touching friendship between robot and horse. 'Evolution' sits among the most engaging episodes of Lost In Space, and offers plenty of potential for the remainder of the show's second season.

What are your thoughts on the seventh episode of Lost In Space's second season? Let me know in the comments section.