Introduction
In the 2018 netflix sci-fi TV series, we are introduced to this family, the Robinsons. Who are making they way to Alpha Centauri to colonize it. Among them, there is a boy Will Robinson, the youngest member of the family. Who befriends an alien robot that was responsible for them being in danger in the first place.
Sounds innocent and sweet, the boy is portrayed as a highly precocious kid, with extraordinary intellectual ability. At least that's what the show writers (Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless) want us to think. However, this tells me a different story. One of emotional abuse and neglect.
Thought the show, we have kid who internalizes his pain. Struggles to show emotion and in one point even sacrifices himself to save his mother. So, let's talk a little bit about his mother.
Maureen Robinson, the lioness mother
She is depicted as a complete superhero with extreme intelligence and absolute love for her family. We are constantly reminded how great she is. And that she will do anything to keep her family safe. The problem is that she is so busy saving the world and doing great things, that we never get the chance to see her actually being a mom.
She seems very emotionally distant and self centered. The world dances around her and she is proven right again and again. But at no point do we see her actually taking care of her children. Yes, we see her worry about them and "doing things in their best interest", but this is always when she is far away from them. In one of the scenes we see her selling sensitive information in order to obtain a passing mark for her son, Will Robinson. And we are presented with that as she is ready to do something morally wrong in order to help her son. But to me it seems controlling and possessive. She decides to sell confidential material so that "they can all be together". Or, providing a "better future for her children". But not in any point does she asks what her children actually want. Spoiler alert, they want none of it, they just want to be loved.
She is this bad-ass super smart mother who knows the best. Yet when her daughter Penny Robinson, an aspiring writer, writes a novel about their adventures, she doesn't even bother to read it. When confronted, she lies about it and says that she thought it was "good".
This type of emotional neglect continues thought the show and the only person who shows any interest is the previously absent father, John Robinson.
John Robinson, absentee father
This guy used to be navy seals, or special forces, or some other military cliché, it's rather annoying. Who, after years of absence from being a father, comes back to redeem himself by providing emotional support to his children while his estranged wife is out there saving the world.
He is there only because the wisdom of Maureen Robinson, who decided to forgive him and give him "another chance".
As soon as the show starts, we are to hate him. He forgets who is in charge and due to his insensitivity almost kills his daughter. But he learns from his mistakes and goes to become the only person that actually acts as a parent in the whole show.
We are not fully aware of his "crimes" except that he was too busy to be there with his family. He was the one, out there saving the planet, literally. While Maureen was at home (not) taking care of the children.
We later find out that, due their strenuous relationship (although this is never explained, other then him being a coward) he chose to spend less time in the house and neglect his family. He was not brave enough to ask for a divorce, but waited for Maureen to make the first move. In her wisdom Maureen didn't ask for a divorce (even though, the way the show portrayed it, she should've), but instead decided to bring him along: for the children and to give him another chance. Completely failing to realize that he was running away from her and not from his family. But who's fault is that, not Maureen's - he's the coward here.
It is painfully obvious that we are not to root for this guy and that he is an absolute bastard, but after analyzing his actions we see that he is the only good person in the life of his son, Will.
However, we see that his son has issues opening up to his father and expressing his emotional wishes and desires. He has this irrational fear of telling the truth to his father. In multiple occasions Will is getting himself in dangerous situations just to avoid confronting his dad.
Will Robinson, the boy wonder
This is a kid who suffered years of neglect and ended up internalizing his emotions. It's so perfect that he has an alien pet robot that can sense his most inner emotions and reacts to them. Because, obviously, no one else does.
In a way he is a projection of his mothers failed expectations of her husband. He is smart and ready to sacrifice himself for his family. He shows no signs of selfish or possessive behavior. He has no boundaries and does whatever he is told. Easy to manipulate with. Doesn't ask for anything.
Instead of letting him grow up, he is led to feel guilty for not being brave enough or strong enough. He has set impossible expectations of himself. His only friend is an alien robot, who he saved from uncertain death, because he was "special". And this is how his mother calls it. Will is "special" because he has no needs or wants other then those of others. Mainly his mother.
In my view this is what emotional child abuse is. And is very dangerous. Kids who fail to express their needs and desires end up internalizing their pain, refusing to seek help and guidance. Those kids end up too soon falling into the world of adults where they become manipulated and even more abused, because they don't know how to say NO.
The interesting part is that at the end of the second season, the robot that he befriended learns this powerful word, but it seems that Will doesn't.
Conclusion
Lost in space is a confusing mess of contradictory ideas and mixed messaging. If you want to watch it, do so. But be vigilant of some of the shows messages. It is easy to fall pray to normalization of emotional abuse, since so little about is talked about it. Usually, this is something that is mentioned and learned about in therapy. Once the abuse has become too great.
As for the show. Maybe they pull it off and turn the show around. Maybe this first couple of season are there to set up a story line for the sins of Maureen. But who knows, maybe they just cancel the show.