Netflix’s Lost in Space Season 2

[Christopher]

I would agree that she isn't a sociopath. She demonstrably experiences guilt.

Good point. Everything she does is motivated by the fear of getting caught and punished. Basically she's trapped in a cycle of fear and evasion -- in trying to escape the consequences for her deceptions, she commits bigger deceptions and makes bigger mistakes and just keeps digging herself deeper.

I would agree Smith is a narcissist, however.

I don't think so. She doesn't really fit most of the criteria:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5, 2013) indicates that a person with NPD possesses at least five of the following nine criteria, typically without possessing the commensurate personal qualities or accomplishments for which they demand respect and status:

• Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from other people
• Continually demeaning, bullying and belittling others
• Exploiting others to achieve personal gain
• Lack of empathy for the negative impact they have on the feelings, wishes, and needs of other people
• Fixation on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.
• Self-perception of being unique, superior, and associated with high-status people and institutions
• Need for continual admiration from others
• Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others
• Intense envy of others, and the belief that others are equally envious of them

"Smith"/June certainly exploits others for personal gain, but the rest don't fit. She doesn't expect people to envy her or treat her as superior; rather, she fears how they'll treat her if they learn the truth about her. And I don't think she lacks empathy -- she feels bad when her actions hurt other people. She's just more afraid of being hurt herself.

I think her behavior is closer to antisocial personality disorder:

Individuals with this personality disorder will typically have no compunction in exploiting others in harmful ways for their own gain or pleasure and frequently manipulate and deceive other people, achieving this through wit and a façade of superficial charm or through intimidation and violence. They may display arrogance, think lowly and negatively of others, and lack remorse for their harmful actions and have a callous attitude to those they have harmed. Irresponsibility is a core characteristic of this disorder: they can have significant difficulties in maintaining stable employment as well as fulfilling their social and financial obligations, and people with this disorder often lead exploitative, unlawful, or parasitic lifestyles.

Those with antisocial personality disorder are often impulsive and reckless, failing to consider or disregarding the consequences of their actions. They may repeatedly disregard and jeopardize their own safety and the safety of others and place themselves and others in danger.... These behaviors lead such individuals into frequent conflict with the law, and many people with ASPD have extensive histories of antisocial behavior and criminal infractions stemming back before adulthood.

Serious problems with interpersonal relationships are often seen in those with the disorder. Attachments and emotional bonds are weak, and interpersonal relationships often revolve around the manipulation, exploitation, and abuse of others. While they generally have no problems in establishing relationships, they may have difficulties in sustaining and maintaining them. Relationships with family members and relatives are often strained due to their behavior and the frequent problems that these individuals may get into.

Now, the original Dr. Zachary Smith was a textbook narcissist. Grandiosity, lack of empathy, exploiting others for personal gain, fixation on power and success, need for admiration, belittling others ("You bubbleheaded booby"), the works. But June is something else.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I finished up binging Lost in Space S2 with the family last night. What a ride. Even better than the first season. It drags a little in the middle, the search for the robot goes on way too long, it's blatantly derivative in spots (parts of this season feel like a carbon copy of the latest season of The Expanse's Ilus plotline, and some space raptors chase space wildebeests into a space canyon that made me think Mufasa was about to be killed rescuing Simba) and there are too many stops for inappropriately timed angsty arguments when all hell is breaking loose or is soon to be, but the first and last several episodes were cinematic in scope and keep you on the edge of your seat. Every time you think they're out of the woods these disaster magnets get into something worse. The CGI was nearly flawless, especially on the planetary vistas and stormy seas, alien wildlife, and the ships.

Parker Posey did a fantastic job as Dr. Smith again, shifting loyalties and causing or solving problems depending on how it served her interests or even when she actually starts feeling some loyalty, empathy, and sense of belonging with the Robinsons. All while initially rocking a spectacular hairdo that can only be described as the lovechild of the mullets and bandanas of young Pat Benatar and Andre Agassi. There was a trapped in a well episode that featured some sweet flashbacks and emotional moments between John and his daughter Judy, and Molly Parker was excellent again. The two younger kids are a bit of annoyance at times between their robot obsession and feeling sorry for themselves respectively, but then, they're pretty accurate for their ages.

Even with the flaws, I'd give the overall package of Season 2 an A-. It's very exciting and cinematic.

 

[lurok]

Cast is great but wish stories serviced them better. Felt S2 dragged in the middle.

 

[JD]

I would agree that she isn't a sociopath. She demonstrably experiences guilt. People like tossing psychopath and sociopath around. I recall people stating the entire crew of Discovery were psychopaths, especially Michael, even though that was demonstrably not the case as well. I would agree Smith is a narcissist, however.

I think the problem is most people like to call others psychopaths or sociopaths without realizing that there are actually very specific criteria that people have to fit in order to actually be considered one or the other.

 

[Finn]

In middle of episode 6. I’m enjoying it. I’m finding myself wondering where the natural prey of these creatures on the desert world are. They have to be the type that follows migratory prey, as the land is too barren to support them permanently.

Plus they seemed clumsy. The way they damaged rocks during the chase, the landscape would be more eroded if they were long term residents...

 

[Captain pl1ngpl0ng]

I finished up binging Lost in Space S2 with the family last night. What a ride. Even better than the first season. It drags a little in the middle, the search for the robot goes on way too long, it's blatantly derivative in spots (parts of this season feel like a carbon copy of the latest season of The Expanse's Ilus plotline, and some space raptors chase space wildebeests into a space canyon that made me think Mufasa was about to be killed rescuing Simba) and there are too many stops for inappropriately timed angsty arguments when all hell is breaking loose or is soon to be, but the first and last several episodes were cinematic in scope and keep you on the edge of your seat. Every time you think they're out of the woods these disaster magnets get into something worse. The CGI was nearly flawless, especially on the planetary vistas and stormy seas, alien wildlife, and the ships.

Parker Posey did a fantastic job as Dr. Smith again, shifting loyalties and causing or solving problems depending on how it served her interests or even when she actually starts feeling some loyalty, empathy, and sense of belonging with the Robinsons. All while initially rocking a spectacular hairdo that can only be described as the lovechild of the mullets and bandanas of young Pat Benatar and Andre Agassi. There was a trapped in a well episode that featured some sweet flashbacks and emotional moments between John and his daughter Judy, and Molly Parker was excellent again. The two younger kids are a bit of annoyance at times between their robot obsession and feeling sorry for themselves respectively, but then, they're pretty accurate for their ages.

Even with the flaws, I'd give the overall package of Season 2 an A-. It's very exciting and cinematic.

good and funny read^ thnx =)

Yeah very good entertainment, really enjoyed season 2. (and 1). Fabulous sci-fi...

 

[Admiral2]

just and aside: while chasing rabbits on Youtube I ran across this vid. Lucky girl got to meet ev'r'body in the cast.

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[Ssosmcin]

good and funny read^ thnx =)

Yeah very good entertainment, really enjoyed season 2. (and 1). Fabulous sci-fi...

You guys watched all of season 2 already? You had that much time during the holidays? I paused just long enough to sleep before going back to work today.

 

[Captain pl1ngpl0ng]

^i didn't have the kids this year so lot's of netflixtime. =)

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

just and aside: while chasing rabbits on Youtube I ran across this vid. Lucky girl got to meet ev'r'body in the cast.

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She was so much fun....... Lucky young woman

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

I'm not a psychologist but the following article suggests that psychopathy can be considered to be an extreme form of sociopathy.

https://www.magellantv.com/articles/psychopath-or-sociopath-whats-the-difference

Psychopaths have the more extreme condition but are often more successful in society as they are better at concealing their aberrant behaviour. Supposedly, about 1% of the population are psychopaths and 4% are sociopaths - higher percentages than I expected.

Based of the article linked, which I admit might be an over simplification if not complete nonsense, Dr Smith, aka June Harris, appears to fall between a psychopath, who can be very successful in society despite their narcissism, and a sociopath, whose lack of behavioural self control can lead them into trouble.

Smith seems to aspire to be as ruthless as a socially successful psychopath but appears to feel guilt and empathy, which a psychpath wouldn't, and isn't quite in control of herself. She appears internally conflicted - part of her needs the approval and support of others much more than the other part would like.

Whether such behaviour is ever observed clinically, I have no idea. I have more problem with the physical science depicted but the show is entertaining enough that I can overlook that aspect.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I don't care too much about the science in this show. Who cares about science and accuracy unless you're an anal retentive nerd that stresses over that.

What a ride? The last four episodes ran thick and fast and I didn't at all see that ending coming. Where the hell did Smith go? She's my hero now. Where the bloody hell did she go? Is she on the Jupiter with those kids?

Was the colony a sham? I wonder. It seemed freaking elitist that they would only have the "chosen few" go to the colony. I've had my rant.. I guess they couldn't really build a bigger ship, but then this brings up for me far more questions then answers and again we go back to season 1. So we know Hastings was the one Maureen traded info for to get Will on the list. She traded security codes by the look of it.

Back to those nagging questions. Do we have a timeframe for how long it took to actually build the Resolute? We learn that they built the ship around the navigation core of the alien ship, the thing the robot stands in to guide it. So a lot of things don't make a lot of sense here. How much time passed for the crash and construction of the ship around the alien ship core?

Yet why even build it? Again I wonder how or why the people on Earth found out about the aliens themselves? Was there prior contact? I think there was.

If that really was Alpha Centauri at the end something is either really stinky or something bad happened, and what's with the Fortuna?

 

[Captain pl1ngpl0ng]

Why did the security guards stand around the box with the scarecrow-robot and poked it with stun rods?
That's just weird and childish behavior from "elite-humans".

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I thought the shade over the self-destruct mechanism was a cute moment.

I didn’t find the middle slow as some say but it really picked up at the end. I was going to save the last two episodes for a later viewing and ended up staying up way too late because it was so intense at that point I just couldn’t stop.

However, the show can be hard to watch sometimes with just how nasty the non-Robinsons can be. Few shows make me want to boo characters and throw popcorn at the screen like this one. Parker Posey/Doctor Smith is such a great piece of work but she gets competition this time from Hastings. I’m actually thinking about watching Blade Trinity again just to see her vamp it up. I like that all the Robinsons have moments to shine and there’s a nice amount of material for each.

Why did the security guards stand around the box with the scarecrow-robot and poked it with stun rods?
That's just weird and childish behavior from "elite-humans".

I wish that was somehow over the top and divorced from reality.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Oops, I seem to have wandered into the spoiler thread. Checks. Nope. Good job I've already watched all the episodes.

 

[DarthPipes]

I really want to like this show. I do. It has a fun premise and great production values. But to me they've doubled down on the worst qualities of the first season. Dr. Smith is so over-the-top evil for no reason that it makes the Robinson's look like idiots to still keep her around. Seriously, she holds no power over them...why the hell haven't they shot her out an airlock yet? With what she's done, they should have just left her where she is or better yet, end her existence. I don't think I've seen a group of characters who are so determined to have another character stab them in the back like the Robinson's. This Smith isn't even subtle which makes her character even worse and makes everyone else around her look stupid for continuing to tolerate her. I like Parker Posey but this Dr. Smith is the worst thing about this show.

The Robinson's are either dumb or too caught up in their own nonsense. Maureen and John warn the kids about Smith but seem to conceal the very worst aspects of her character and that's not the only thing they've managed to conceal from their kids.

What's annoying me five episodes into this new season is we've already gotten two episodes where the Robinson's have to be rescued for something. Well, three if you couldn't the first two episodes on the water planet. The writers are in love with the "Robinson falls in a hole storyline" whether is be with a cave, water or ice. There are 10 episodes and they proceed to waste them on a variation of this same storyline. Even when they reach an alien planet, they seem to go with the most boring and generic storylines they can get. The first series was ridiculous but I'd rather have their "alien of the week" storylines than the show's boring planet of the week(s). Or the latest "Robinson falls into a hole and needs to be rescued."

To me, Lost in Space is a bad Syfy Channel show with better production values.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

One or more of the Robinsons being in peril is consistent with the original series I think although it's probably 50 years since I last saw that.

 

[Admiral2]

I really want to like this show. I do. It has a fun premise and great production values. But to me they've doubled down on the worst qualities of the first season. Dr. Smith is so over-the-top evil for no reason that it makes the Robinson's look like idiots to still keep her around. Seriously, she holds no power over them...why the hell haven't they shot her out an airlock yet? With what she's done, they should have just left her where she is or better yet, end her existence. I don't think I've seen a group of characters who are so determined to have another character stab them in the back like the Robinson's. This Smith isn't even subtle which makes her character even worse and makes everyone else around her look stupid for continuing to tolerate her. I like Parker Posey but this Dr. Smith is the worst thing about this show.

The Robinson's are either dumb or too caught up in their own nonsense. Maureen and John warn the kids about Smith but seem to conceal the very worst aspects of her character and that's not the only thing they've managed to conceal from their kids.

Tell you what: When you figure out the answer to those questions concerning the original Dr. Smith, we can talk. Until then, as far as I'm concerned she's no worse than the character that made the original show famous in the first place. She's just less slapstick in her shenanigans.

 

[DarthPipes]

Tell you what: When you figure out the answer to those questions concerning the original Dr. Smith, we can talk. Until then, as far as I'm concerned she's no worse than the character that made the original show famous in the first place. She's just less slapstick in her shenanigans.

The original show featured standard 60s writing, which didn't attempt to apply logic to their story. TV writing and plot has thankfully improved a great deal since then though that doesn't apply to this show, where the Robinson's are practically screaming at Smith every episode to betray and kill them. It's a complete anchor for this show. It's bad writing.

 

[Admiral2]

The original show featured standard 60s writing, which didn't attempt to apply logic to their story. TV writing and plot has thankfully improved a great deal since then though that doesn't apply to this show, where the Robinson's are practically screaming at Smith every episode to betray and kill them. It's a complete anchor for this show. It's bad writing.

Actually, I was thinking it was nice to have a Dr. Smith who was an acual adversary for the Robinsons to overcome instead of just live in comic relief. The kids interacting with her when they know they shouldn't is just as stupid as the thousands of other stupid things that I've seen thousands of other stupid kids do in thousands of other movies and TV shows, so I'm desensitized at this point. As for the adults, it's obvious they have secrets and agendas of their own, and sometimes those agendas intertwine with Dr. Smith's. Spacing or abandoning her when they might someday need her would be counterproductive. Yes, there's a risk of betrayal, but as it turns out, they face that same risk with everybody in the colony group. Smith's just the betrayar they have practical experience with.