General Information
Director: Sobey Martin
Writer: Peter Packer
Cast: Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Billy Mumy, Angela Cartwright, Jonathan Harris, Alberto Monte, and Corinna Tsopei
Composer: Gerald Fried
Air Date: 12/20/1967
Production #: 1513
Overview
When Dr. Smith discovers an alien woman known as Princess Reyka (Corinna Tsopei), Chavo (Alberto Monte)—a bounty hunter with silver-colored skin and a Mexican accent—demands that the girl be handed over to him. Refusing to comply, Major West provokes Chavo into threatening the Robinsons with an invisible army.
“Castles in Space” combines juvenile camp with offensive stereotypes. All but the most dedicated fans would therefore be wise to avoid this effort, which earns its reputation as one of the worst Lost in Space episodes ever made.
Pros
For portraying Major West—an often underutilized character—as a strong and heroic leader when John and Maureen are absent, Peter Packer’s narrative should be commended.
Cons
Despite opening on a serious note, “Castles in Space” contains a number of comedic devices (e.g., the Robot’s “bullfight” with Chavo and Dr. Smith’s horrifying imitation of Princess Reyka) that many would describe as appalling.
Analysis
Though ostensibly derogatory, the ethnic traits, dialect, and appearance of Chavo can be forgiven due to the lighthearted, if not altogether innocuous, nature of his character. That being said, “Castles in Space” deserves criticism for offering no in-universe explanation, logical or otherwise, for the alien Chavo’s resemblance to a human being of Hispanic descent—much in contrast to “Welcome Stranger” from season one, which provides a detailed and believable backstory for a Southern cowboy (also a concept unique to Earth) whom the Robinsons encounter on a faraway planet.
Concluding Comments
For its dreadful humor and weak science fiction, “Castles in Space” will likely induce cringing from the majority of viewers. This episode does, however, benefit from a mature tone in the first act.
Overall Quality: 2/10
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This is my number sixteen ranked episode for the psychedelic and far out, all over the place, highly inconsistent and relatively overrated, shortest final colored season..
Surprisingly, I probably like this one more than the average (or usual) fan. I consider this kind of a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ episode. No episode changes so dramatically from the first half to what we have by the end. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the first half. It is played pretty serious, and I love the old Season One feel of the camping out in the wilderness. But, as we know, by the episodes end, we all know what transpires. Still, I have this one higher ranked than most perhaps. Please see my personal season ranking shown above. Oh, also, the music is very acceptable here, and it has a cute wrap. I do like several things here..
Any particular reason why Don willingly gives up his laser gun when Chavo tells him to put down his gun, other than to provide the prologue to the bullfight?