Although the final episode of the 2nd colour season this episode is actually quite good. It starts off looking as though it's going to be very silly, but actually it's another morality tale about family. (as an aside I can't help thinking all the luridly coloured 2nd and 3rd season episodes would have worked better in black and white). There's some strangely attired aliens (which somehow work and look very sinister and otherworldly indeed) and economical reuse of props from earlier episodes (including yet another reuse of the Jupiter 2's freezing tubes and the circular rocket base which has also been used on numerous occasions). As usual Dr Smith tries to bargain with a bunch of aliens to get back to earth and gets into trouble. Guy Williams and Mark Goddard are only briefly in this episode. The alien guest star is the splendid John Carradine.
8 Reviews
The second season closes with John Carradine
kevinolzak29 July 2020
"The Galaxy Gift" was the final episode of this often embarrassing second season, for once shifting the focus from Will and Dr. Smith to Angela Cartwright's Penny, soon to ditch her distinctive long locks for a short bob for the third season, emphasizing her maturation into adulthood. Also a definite plus is the presence of veteran bogeyman John Carradine in a decidedly benign alien role as Arcon, in possession of a special amulet capable of changing the molecular structure of any form of matter, entrusted to Penny to safeguard with her life, the evil Saticons returning from "Wreck of the Robot" in the hope of tricking the gullible Dr. Smith to give the object to them in exchange for a return to his beloved Earth. Naturally, they have no intention of transporting anyone to the real planet, only a phony mockup of a street meant to imitate San Francisco's Chinatown, using props left over from Fox productions such as "The Fly" (courtesy makeup artist Ben Nye). Guy Williams and Mark Goddard only make a single token appearance, and even Bill Mumy's Will has less to do, essentially a show in which June Lockhart and Marta Kristen hold the fort while the men are away at the relay station. Despite disappearing for the bulk of the entry Carradine proves an animated delight, unfamiliar with the imperfections of humans yet marveling at their tenacity, while the Saticons prevent the tone from descending into juvenility like far too many second season duds. There appeared to be little love lost between Carradine and Jonathan Harris, but both actors gave of themselves in 'the grand manner' so perhaps some professional jealousy may have been involved. The final year would see more strong and serious scripts like "The Anti-Matter Man" alternating with weaker ones like "The Great Vegetable Rebellion" (plus the never before seen space pod), an improvement on season two but still short of the black and white era.
Excellent with an Idiotic Opening
bigfrankie-4346416 December 2022
The Galaxy Gift is a strong finish to Season Two.
The opening is utter nonsense, but quickly turns into an excellent story when Mr. Arcon (legendary John Carradine) is established.
The "Saticons", from "Wreck of The Robot" are back and desire a powerful amulet that Mr. Arcon has but gives to Penny as a test of her character.
Dr. Smith is determined to return to earth and eventually does return to a fake San Francisco Chinatown, along with Penny and The Robot.
It is nice to see Debbie The Bloop return for a fair amount of time. The story revolves more around Dr. Smith and Penny, with fair balance between the others (except for Prof Robinson and Major West).
One negative is Dr. Smith's insistence that the Saticon's fake San Francisco Chinatown is the real place. No matter how much he wanted to believe it, it is hard to swallow that the man who always seems to question aliens, believes in this easy to doubt fake location, despite clear evidence it is fake.
Other that that stupidity, Dr. Smith is a more like the late Season One Dr. Smith than the buffoonish Season Two Dr. Smith.
The opening is utter nonsense, but quickly turns into an excellent story when Mr. Arcon (legendary John Carradine) is established.
The "Saticons", from "Wreck of The Robot" are back and desire a powerful amulet that Mr. Arcon has but gives to Penny as a test of her character.
Dr. Smith is determined to return to earth and eventually does return to a fake San Francisco Chinatown, along with Penny and The Robot.
It is nice to see Debbie The Bloop return for a fair amount of time. The story revolves more around Dr. Smith and Penny, with fair balance between the others (except for Prof Robinson and Major West).
One negative is Dr. Smith's insistence that the Saticon's fake San Francisco Chinatown is the real place. No matter how much he wanted to believe it, it is hard to swallow that the man who always seems to question aliens, believes in this easy to doubt fake location, despite clear evidence it is fake.
Other that that stupidity, Dr. Smith is a more like the late Season One Dr. Smith than the buffoonish Season Two Dr. Smith.
The Great Saticons From Wreck Of The Robot Return!
StuOz27 May 2007
It is a battle of the aliens all over a magic belt. The alien Saticons will return Smith to earth if he hands over the item in question.
It is alien John Carradine (yes, that John Carradine) Vs the graveyard-voiced Saticons who all wish to own the galaxy gift magic belt...and will do ANYTHING to get it!
Despite the simple costume, those Saticons are very chilling and 60% of the credit must go to the under-rated and under-used (in Hollywood) voice artist Mr Jim Mills. In this century, Hollywood can spend millions of dollars on expensive alien make up in sci-fic block busters, but we all know it is pretend, but you can't do a good pretend out-of-this-world voice. The computers can't do that yet. A good voice comes from this thing called human talent with experience. So take note of The Galaxy Gift, Mr Hollywood.
It is alien John Carradine (yes, that John Carradine) Vs the graveyard-voiced Saticons who all wish to own the galaxy gift magic belt...and will do ANYTHING to get it!
Despite the simple costume, those Saticons are very chilling and 60% of the credit must go to the under-rated and under-used (in Hollywood) voice artist Mr Jim Mills. In this century, Hollywood can spend millions of dollars on expensive alien make up in sci-fic block busters, but we all know it is pretend, but you can't do a good pretend out-of-this-world voice. The computers can't do that yet. A good voice comes from this thing called human talent with experience. So take note of The Galaxy Gift, Mr Hollywood.
Not great but better than its season 2 predecessors
jamesrupert201421 March 2023
After Mr. Arcon, a shape-shifting alien, gives Penny an amulet of power, Smith conspires to trade it to other aliens in exchange for passage to Earth. The episode features gaunt B-movie fixture John Carradine as the supercilious Mr. Arcon and sees the return of the Saticons, the surreal derby-wearing aliens seen earlier in 'The Wreck of the Robot' (s.2, e.13). Carradine, in well-done blue-face makeup, is entertaining and the Saticons, whose constant swaying makes for a frugal other-worldyness, are one of the series' more memorable evil extraterrestrials. The explanation behind the giant fly is amusing (although the final appearance of the big bug makes no sense) and it's good to see Debbie the Bloop back in action. These pluses aside, the story is simplistic and downhill slippage of the series' production values continues (for example, both of Arcon's initial 'heads' are recycled masks from 'The Golden Man (s.2, e.15) and little care seems to be taken to ensure the characters remain immobile during the show's frequent substitution splices). Although 'The Galaxy Gift' was an improvement on most LiS season 2 episodes, the ridiculous and completely unnecessary opening scene (the 'play') sums up how silly and juvenile the show was becoming (and features more odd 'stuff' apparently stowed away in the Jupiter 2's seemingly bottomless cargo-hold). On to season 3.
Dated Campiness from American Mythology
markjcorsi28 March 2021
Lost in Space started out as a serious "science fiction" show. Dr Smith was evil, and the Robot was powerful. However, after the first season, the show was a goofy comedy, sometimes morality plays, but mostly extremely dated. "Professor" Guy Williams is macho and handsome, "Doctor" Maureen Robinson is helpful, and "Major" Don West is a military pilot. They all proved to be nothing but a 1960s suburban family/associates with no business, never mind skills, to be sent as colonists across the galaxy. The Jupiter 2 has more excess junk that makes no sense to have aboard than the SS Minnow had in Gilligan's Island. I loved the show as a child, but now it is just campy.
Guest Star: John Carradine
gregorycanfield23 March 2021
Carradine was probably the most prolific of all the guest stars. Most of the others weren't big stars. Carradine is good as Arcon. His enemies, the Saticons, are reminiscent of the trio of aliens from Wreck of the Robot. The story deviates from the norm, in that most of the action is between Dr Smith and Penny (rather than Will). There is a scene between Arcon, Maureen and Judy. Arcon tells Judy not to shout. She replies: "I'm not shouting!" She was so cute! She made my heart skip a beat! Oh, I'm digressing. The episode is well done, and has a noticeably different dynamic from most other episodes.
A GOOD CLOSURE FOR A QUITE LOOSE SEASON
asalerno1026 May 2022
For this season closing we recycled some elements like The Golden Man mask, the giant fly from Prisoners of Space and the three saticons from The Wreck of the Robot. On the planet above Arcon, a being from space that is persecuted by the Saticones, they want to seize the magical belt that he possesses. Arcon leaves the belt in Penny's custody, aware of this the Saticones promise Dr. Smith to make him return to Earth if he collaborates with them. The episode ends with a grand finale in a fictional Chinatown surrounded by explosions. The chapter is a more than good ending for this second season and has the plus of having the veteran lead actor John Carradine as a guest.
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