There are some terrific visuals and SFX in this show, bolstered by a sense of nostalgia (that theme song never gets old!) that keeps bringing me back to this series. I gave up on season one after a disappointing first few episodes, but was drawn back in with season two - which, while not "great TV" by a long-shot, had some good action and a storyline that had me feel that the show was gaining some legs. I thought of going back to give season 1 another chance...Sadly, season three has not yet kept up the momentum, and I think I will give a hard pass on a return to season 1 as a result.

The opening third season storyline at it's core is good enough - all the children were separated from their parents and stranded on another planet - but the decision to turn them into mini-adults was a poor one. The writers dropped the ball on this one. Maybe they should have read Lord of the Flies to learn that kids, even when thrown into "adult" situations are still kids, and that can make for some great drama in and of itself. But no: a year after being stranded and they have all apparently thrived, built a nifty little settlement, take French classes from Smith (what else would the only adult in the colony do?), and they all treat their leaders (all three Robinson kids, naturally) with the utmost of deference and respect. Not to mention, the directors apparently told them all to walk, talk and act like they were 40 year olds...which they all do, badly. (The exception is Penny who very much remains/acts like a teenager...and I would think teenagers would roll there eyes at the stereotypical side story of the two jealous boyfriends-to-be sparring over her affections...oooh - which one will she choose!?). So many absurdities (in a quest for fuel, the teens - including the colony's only medical doctor, because why not - quickly scale a two-mile high vertical rock face with the skill and agility of professional athletes), and so many missed opportunities (Parker Posey/Smith had the potential to maintain an evil, scheming persona to propel the drama and suspense, but instead is used mostly for comic (eye roll) relief.

Meanwhile, back on the parents' ship, the adults - who do not know if their children are dead or alive - exhibit the attitude of couples out on a date night wondering how the kids are making out on their own for a few hours.

And then there's Don West. In case Smith teaching French wasn't funny enough for ya, let's tell this guy to ham it up with some of the most cringe-worthy and cliched one-liners we can muster up. But wait...there's a chicken too! Let the hilarity ensue.

Unfortunately, any chance this season had to carry on with a good story is mired by the poor writing and directing decisions. Attempts to maintain the campy humour of the original series result in poorly-executed and thoroughly un-funny gags and one-liners. This show unfortunately fails at finding the fine line between using science-based fiction to stretch your imagination versus lazy implausibility. Good visuals and effects can't mask unskilled writing and directing.