I started watching the new Lost in Space a couple of weeks ago and finally found the time to finish it up. The visual effects are magnificent and you're instantly transported off to some distant planet and feel like you're on the adventure of a lifetime with the Robinson family. I want to give kudos to the writers, producers and directors for having the courage to cast a strong, alpha-female in the role of Maureen Robinson. Molly Parker is brilliant in the role and portrays the character in a positive, refreshing and inspiring light. This is Maureen's mission and she takes orders from no one! The supporting cast gets a refreshing update for 2018 with diversity and inclusiveness at the forefront. Taylor Russell, the only African-American in the core group of characters is a welcome addition to the cast as Judy Robinson and portrays her character as a strong and brilliant scientist. Mina Sundwall plays Penny Robinson and adds a bit of unpredictability and excitement to her character that makes this family more real. Taylor and Mina's characters balance each other out in a sisterly yin-yang sort of way. It's fun to watch, there's a lot of humor. My personal favorite update to the new series is that of the character of Dr. Smith. The casting of Parker Posey as Dr. Smith (and a female) is in my opinion, the key to the success of the series. You find yourself wanting so badly to like Dr. Smith and feel that she's so close to doing the right thing, but then she doesn't. This teasing of the characters moral struggle is great fun and exciting to watch and is played so well by Parker. Maxwell Jenkins gets the part of the updated Will Robinson character with some not so endearing qualities. While not my favorite character, Maxwell does a good enough job of portraying a younger, more insecure and whinier version of the original character. If I have one recommendation for next season, it would be to maybe revamp this character a little. Toby Stephens rounds out the core cast members as John Robinson and is basically relegated as the "muscle" in this version of the story. His character is an ex-marine so he's good at taking orders from Maureen. One of my favorite scenes in season 1 is when Maureen tells John (the Marine) that she doesn't allow guns in the house so he isn't allowed to use the 3D printer to make one! Believable? I don't know but it was fun to watch. His character seems a little thin and I hope they find some development opportunities for him in the series. There are many other great castings in the series such as the characters of Don West and the Watanabe family. Do yourself a favor and give the series a try. They did a great job of updating the show for 2018!