The story line is not much - a phalanx of tiny robots induct the Robinson's robot as their majestic leader - but as this episode progresses the action becomes less about the threat of these pint-sized robots and more a stage for some of the funniest moments in the entire series. In the second act, Dr. Smith and the Robot go through some kind of literal personality exchange, meaning the Robot speaks with Dr. Smith's voice and mannerisms, and Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) assumes the Robot's personality. This gives Harris ample opportunity to employ physical comedy to wave his arms frantically, shouting "Warning! Warning!" in the Robot's voice, and perform other crazy shenanigans and word play that is richly comedic. The tongue-in-cheek dialogues between Harris-as-Robot and the other characters allows writer Barney Slater and director Seymour Robbie to play the lunacy as completely straight, employing a consistent spoofing tone as the real Robot, now decked out in a crown and imperial robes and outfitted with Dr. Smith's cunning and overbearing megalomania, plots to steal the Jupiter 2 and launch a reign of terror across the galaxy. Many of the second season episodes were attempts at humor that failed. This one is memorably daft.
5 Reviews
It is a silly episode that works
silikonchips26 November 2022
Agreeing with another reviewer, this is a silly episode that actually works.
It helps that this one almost takes itself seriously but as soon as you see all those toy Robots, you know it won't be too serious. Great marketing there too, I want buy one 55 years later!
Even so, as a prop, the toy robots look good enough that I don't find them distracting. Season two had some awful alien (and, ahem, "dragon") costumes and by those standards these little toy robots look pretty good.
Of course, there's barely a plot, and what little there is makes little sense. It's just an excuse plot to switch Dr Smith and the Robot (and sell toys!) and works well for that.
It helps that this one almost takes itself seriously but as soon as you see all those toy Robots, you know it won't be too serious. Great marketing there too, I want buy one 55 years later!
Even so, as a prop, the toy robots look good enough that I don't find them distracting. Season two had some awful alien (and, ahem, "dragon") costumes and by those standards these little toy robots look pretty good.
Of course, there's barely a plot, and what little there is makes little sense. It's just an excuse plot to switch Dr Smith and the Robot (and sell toys!) and works well for that.
Idiotic Beyond Comprehension
bigfrankie-4346415 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Mechanical Men is idiotic and one of the worst episodes. Only watch this if you wish to see every episode.
What's wrong with The Mechanical Men:
First Dr. Smith is kidnapped by a group of tiny robots that look like "The Robot". He is tied down like some scene from Gulliver's Travels. It is beyond comprehension how the tiny robots could have done that. Dr. Smith cries like a two year old.
The tiny robots clearly look like little toys.
"The Robot" is dressed is some idiotic king's outfit.
Prof Robinson easily agrees to give up the Jupiter Two and Mrs. Robinson and Judy cheerfully agree! There is no resistance to this laughable challenge!
On top of getting The Robot's personality and speech, apparently Dr. Smith (with his delicate back) also received superhuman robot strength, since he can lift giant boulders!
Prior to the battler, when Mrs. Robinson offers to assist, Prof Robinson "orders" her to go into the ship. Offensive and way out of character for Prof Robinson to act that way towards his loving wife.
Finally, when we actually have a battle, the Robinsons easily defeat the robots.
The only positive is the initial personality exchange between Dr. Smith and The Robot is funny, but that gets old very fast.
Side Note:
Judy demonstrates compassion for Dr. Smith, to the others, when he is kidnapped. She does this on a regular basis in many episodes, although in most cases he is responsible for his situation. This is a small nuance, but shows compassion similar to what Mrs. Robinson often demonstrates. Judy will even check Don when she thinks he is too tough on Dr. Smith. Too bad this characteristic was not fully developed along with giving Judy a more prominent role.
What's wrong with The Mechanical Men:
First Dr. Smith is kidnapped by a group of tiny robots that look like "The Robot". He is tied down like some scene from Gulliver's Travels. It is beyond comprehension how the tiny robots could have done that. Dr. Smith cries like a two year old.
The tiny robots clearly look like little toys.
"The Robot" is dressed is some idiotic king's outfit.
Prof Robinson easily agrees to give up the Jupiter Two and Mrs. Robinson and Judy cheerfully agree! There is no resistance to this laughable challenge!
On top of getting The Robot's personality and speech, apparently Dr. Smith (with his delicate back) also received superhuman robot strength, since he can lift giant boulders!
Prior to the battler, when Mrs. Robinson offers to assist, Prof Robinson "orders" her to go into the ship. Offensive and way out of character for Prof Robinson to act that way towards his loving wife.
Finally, when we actually have a battle, the Robinsons easily defeat the robots.
The only positive is the initial personality exchange between Dr. Smith and The Robot is funny, but that gets old very fast.
Side Note:
Judy demonstrates compassion for Dr. Smith, to the others, when he is kidnapped. She does this on a regular basis in many episodes, although in most cases he is responsible for his situation. This is a small nuance, but shows compassion similar to what Mrs. Robinson often demonstrates. Judy will even check Don when she thinks he is too tough on Dr. Smith. Too bad this characteristic was not fully developed along with giving Judy a more prominent role.
Silly lilliputian saga with strong toyetic potential
jamesrupert201410 March 2023
Smith is kidnapped by an army of tiny versions of the Robinson's trusty robot who ultimately want to blend the Doctor's Machiavellian tendencies into their new mechanical leader (guess who). This is a pretty dumb episode, with most of the laughs coming from the juxtaposition of Smith's and the robot's personalities (which considering the swap gives Smith's fragile body the strength and voice of the robot makes no sense whatsoever). The premise must have been a hit with marketing, as the episode is an extended commercial for miniature LiS robots (back before many kids' shows had morphed into extended plugs for toys). Even by the standards of LiS season 2, this is a pretty weak outing. The 'resolution' of the personality transfer plot-line demonstrates how lazy (or rushed) the writing had become.
One Of The Very Worst Hours Of Lost In Space
StuOz12 February 2020
Tiny mechanical men appear on the lost planet.
Total and complete rubbish. Painfully childish story with main characters talking in other people's voices, this did even more damage to the good name of Lost In Space.
Okay, as noted in my previous LIS reviews - I am not too big on season two - but this hour just goes too far in the silly camp department. Some of campy LIS is just fine (The Promised Planet, Space Beauty, The Golden Man, etc) but when the show feels like it is scripted by a nine year old - look out!
Normally the writer is to blame in this situation but could the director - Seymour Robbie - partly be the cause of this stinker? This is the one and only hour of TV that Robbie ever directed for Irwin Allen, so maybe he just misunderstood that LIS was camp - but not this camp!
Noted 60s composer - Alexander Courage - does the music but don't expect the quality music he gave us in Wild Adventure or Cave Of The Wizards, his music here is as bad as the episode itself. Stay clear of this total and complete stinker!
Total and complete rubbish. Painfully childish story with main characters talking in other people's voices, this did even more damage to the good name of Lost In Space.
Okay, as noted in my previous LIS reviews - I am not too big on season two - but this hour just goes too far in the silly camp department. Some of campy LIS is just fine (The Promised Planet, Space Beauty, The Golden Man, etc) but when the show feels like it is scripted by a nine year old - look out!
Normally the writer is to blame in this situation but could the director - Seymour Robbie - partly be the cause of this stinker? This is the one and only hour of TV that Robbie ever directed for Irwin Allen, so maybe he just misunderstood that LIS was camp - but not this camp!
Noted 60s composer - Alexander Courage - does the music but don't expect the quality music he gave us in Wild Adventure or Cave Of The Wizards, his music here is as bad as the episode itself. Stay clear of this total and complete stinker!
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