Netflix’s reimagining of Lost In Space, the legendary 1960s series that followed the Robinson family’s intergalactic adventures as space colonists, took a little while to finds its feet.
In its solid first season, the Robinson parents and their three children left Earth after it was destroyed by what audiences assumed to be an asteroid, but later turned out to be aliens. After crash-landing on a distant planet, and being separated from the other colonists, they encountered a shape-shifting robot, who developed a bond with the youngest member of the family, Will.
'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
The series really hit its stride with its captivating second season, though, which combined epic and gorgeous special effects with a heartfelt and enthralling storyline. Once again it revolves around the Robinsons trying to reconnect with the other colonists on the mother ship The Resolute. By the end of the series they’ve done just that, but when they aliens that destroyed Earth attack the ship, the Robinsons decide that their only chance of survival is to split up.
After sending their children Judy (Taylor Russell), Penny (Mina Sundwall) and Will (Maxwell Jenkins) through a space rift to an unknown star system, parents Maureen (Molly Parker) and John (Toby Stephens) were left to fight a robot army.
Set a full year after the finale, season three starts with Judy, Penny, Will and their Robot leading the other 94 young space colonists who escaped with them on a mysterious new planet. At the same time, in a completely different galaxy, John and Maureen are still trying to figure out how to find their children, while also fending off the robots that are trying to kill them.
The opening episode of the show’s final season includes everything that has made Lost In Space such an enjoyable watch for the entire family. After smartly and succinctly getting audiences up to date with the characters in a precise yet empathetic way, Three Little Birds then manages to mix action-packed and tense set-pieces with moments of tender and affecting characterisation.
Once again, Lost In Space manages to tow the line between being moody and mysterious enough to keep adults hooked. But not too dark and scary that children of a certain age will be terrified. This was a skill that it perfected in its second season, and is the reason why the show is arguably the most watchable sci-fi family drama available on streaming platforms.
Key to Lost In Space’s success has been the excellent casting of the three Robinson children, whose contagious excitement and fear acts as a conduit to viewers of all ages.
The scope and majesty of its visuals, the swiftness of its plotting, and the power of its performances means that there’s always something to be impressed by
Russell in particular has grown into a commanding screen presence. This time around, she expertly handles the additional responsibility that Judy has to contend with, coming across as intelligent and fearless without disregarding her vulnerability. There’s also an added emotional complexity to Judy’s journey this season that Russell incorporates seamlessly.
Showrunner Zack Estrin and writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless do a superb job of mixing the parallel plots of the Robinson children and their parents. One helps up the ante of the other, while, over the course of its opening four episodes, directors Frederick EO Toye, Kevin Rodney Sullivan, Sarah Boyd, and Julian Holmes make sure that each different world has a unique look and feel.
It’s not all perfect. Like most other Netflix series, each episode feels at least five minutes too long, while Parker Posey’s performance as June Harris never manages to be as deliciously wicked as you hope. Plus, while it’s undoubtedly entertaining, since this marks Lost In Space’s final season, you can’t help but long for a little more substance, too.
The scope and majesty of its visuals, the swiftness of its plotting and the power of its performances means there’s always something to be impressed by. But, ultimately, Lost In Space is one of those shows that you put on and enjoy, only to then quickly forget about it.
It rightfully deserves to be celebrated for being such a well-written and executed show. But, with a little more originality and depth, it might actually have eclipsed the reputation of its predecessor.
All 10 episodes of Lost In Space’s third and final season will be available on Netflix on Wednesday, December 1
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
