One of the biggest changes in Netflix’s reboot of the classic 1960s sci-fi show Lost in Space is in the role of the duplicitous Dr. Smith, who was originally played by a man (Jonathan Harris), but will now be a female character played by the fabulous Parker Posey. Check out the trailer Netflix released to introduce us to the new Dr. Smith above.
What I love already is that, in this trailer, we already see the show passing the Bechdel-Wallace test as two named, female characters talk to each other about something other than a man. After all, there’s plenty to talk about on a space mission gone wrong. Even better, Dr. Smith has the potential to be a really great, nuanced villain, or at least an anti-hero, and it’s always nice to see those parts played by women.
I’ve gotta say, though, I’m a little put off by the dialogue in this trailer. Robinson matriarch, Maureen (Molly Parker) asks Dr. Smith, “I was wondering how you deal with it? Being the keeper of all those secrets.” Smith replies, “You have to find the place inside where you put things you don’t want anyone else to know. Where it can’t hurt you or anyone else. It’s just…part of the job.”
So…you deal with keeping secrets by…finding the place inside you were the secrets go? Yeesh. Had that dialogue not been cut in an exciting way for this trailer, it would’ve been even worse. Still, I have hope for this show. Posey and Parker are amazing actresses, and I dig what I’ve seen in prior trailers.
What do you think? Will you be watching Lost in Space?
(via Netflix on YouTube, image: screencap)
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