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Netflix’s Lost in Space Season 2

It's not that her actions aren't evil, it's that she's not consciously trying to be evil. The problem with the movie's Smith was that he literally called himself evil, which was ridiculous. Most of the time, people who do evil acts don't consider themselves to be evil people. They have rationalizations for their actions, convincing themselves that they were necessary or unavoidable or someone else's fault. Or they believe they're genuinely good for themselves or for their in-group, without regard for the negative consequences to others. Most evil in the world isn't done by out-and-out psychopaths and monsters actively trying to hurt people; it's done by more ordinary people who make excuses or rationalizations or who are so fixated on their own benefit and convenience that they turn a blind eye to the harm inflicted on others.

And that's the point about Smith here. She's not intentionally seeking to harm anyone else. She's just trying to avoid harm to herself even when it brings harm to others. If she could benefit herself without anyone else getting hurt, she would, because the harm to others is not her goal, just a side effect she's able to live with.

Thank you for not trying to correct me, and please don't think I am trying to correct you, your opinion is just as valid as anyone's. And I don't mean that dismissively or condescendingly I just don't want to argue, just share opinions.

I just think the reasoning you state makes no difference. I don't think the "cartoon villainy" that too many characters engage in is simply unrealistic. Dr. Smith is a much more "realistic" evil character and by comparison seems therefore "not evil". Even a guy like Stalin had a daughter who thought he was a good father, anyone can be sympathetic to someone. The very fact she doesn't care if other's come to harm for her own safety is still evil, very self absorbed. Looking out for #1 with disregard for who gets hurt, how many times have we heard the hackneyed line "you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs". Rationalization doesn't change the act from being evil, IMO, of course.

This is one of the reason Smith is such an interesting character. Her motivations are much more relateable than the megalomaniac du jour that is the antagonist of so many things now, even things I like, too.

That might even be a good discussion of itself, what characters are more reasonably "evil" and which aren't and which aren't evil at all but at opposite purposes to the protagonists. But not here, sorry for thread derailment.

One think I'm looking forward to is the Robot. Will there be another one, or several? Did that one from the first season survive in some way? Plus, that world might be theirs, maybe it's a whole 'bot world.
 
I think June Harris is a con artist and liar but not truly evil and way in over her head most of the time. She could have killed her sister but just left her bound and gagged. She's trying to survive the only way that she knows how and is most of the time just in over her head. Parker Posey is brilliant in this role.

I also think that by next season they will start calling her by her actual name not the Dr Smith name that she chose.

Love how they are going to tie Billy Mumy's character to original Will Robinson.... Should be good if they don't do that in an ass fashion.
 
I just think the reasoning you state makes no difference.

That depends on what's being talked about. We weren't arguing morals, but discussing the personality and motivation of the character June Harris/"Doctor Smith," about who she is as a character (and in my case, I was discussing how her characterization was a remix of the original Smith's character traits in a more naturalistic way). It's not about whether her actions were right or wrong, but about whether her reasons for doing wrong are interesting and effective characterization. From that perspective, yes, it does make a difference, because it makes her a more intriguing and well-written character than someone who's just portrayed as "evil" for the sake of evil.

This is one of the reason Smith is such an interesting character. Her motivations are much more relateable than the megalomaniac du jour that is the antagonist of so many things now, even things I like, too.

See? You do understand that. So it's puzzling that you think Marynator and I were saying something different from that.
 
You do realize that you just described the original Dr. Smith as well?
I loathed the original Smith as a kid, and I loathe the new Smith. The fact that neither can see beyond really short term needs and wants is way too frustrating. I would also like to acknowledge Posey is very good in the role, but honestly, I would say anyone posting here, if Mission Commander, would have spaced her by now. Any time Smith wasn't on screen was a good time. Tried to rewatch - she makes LiS s1 as watchable as the new Klingons on DSC

I'm not sure if I'm going to watch the new series or not. See how the first couple eps go.
 
What worries me more is how the hell they are going to tie this series to old LIS because it's been mentioned. And Bill Mumy has a part to play in that. More worried they won't do that well at all.
 
What worries me more is how the hell they are going to tie this series to old LIS because it's been mentioned. And Bill Mumy has a part to play in that. More worried they won't do that well at all.
Looks like we might be getting another multi-verse. Those things have been poping up everwhere these days. Got to say Sliders came out before it's time. Jason
 
Looks like we might be getting another multi-verse. Those things have been poping up everwhere these days. Got to say Sliders came out before it's time. Jason

Hmmmmmmm..

So maybe old LIS happened in a parallel universe where everything's the same just a little different like Sliders. Cool if they can make it work well.
 
Looks like we might be getting another multi-verse.

I doubt that. The articles are merely saying that there may be cameos by original series cast members; it never says they'll be playing their original characters. More likely they'll be playing new characters, like Bill Mumy's cameo as the real Dr. Smith in season 1 (or like the new-character cameos by most of the original cast in the feature film).
 
I loathed the original Smith as a kid, and I loathe the new Smith. The fact that neither can see beyond really short term needs and wants is way too frustrating. I would also like to acknowledge Posey is very good in the role, but honestly, I would say anyone posting here, if Mission Commander, would have spaced her by now. Any time Smith wasn't on screen was a good time. Tried to rewatch - she makes LiS s1 as watchable as the new Klingons on DSC

Oooh! Harsh! Let's not make comparisons we'll regret later.
 
Looks good. I really looked enjoyed the first season and I'm pretty excited for Season 2. I'm curious how much more we're going to learn about The Robot's origins.
 
I wonder what the deal is with the Chinese-looking sailing ship. It reminds me a little of the mystery that was being set up for season 2 of Terra Nova (that we sadly never got) where they find the old figurehead.
 
I wonder what the deal is with the Chinese-looking sailing ship. It reminds me a little of the mystery that was being set up for season 2 of Terra Nova (that we sadly never got) where they find the old figurehead.

Terra Nova really didn't grab me till the end and they then canned it.
 
Looks like I get to rewatch The Expanse and Lost in Space before December. Man it's been a long time since I've seen Season 1 of LIS. I know how it ends, but it's more remind myself who the characters are.
 
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