I had never seen this episode before catching on TV last night. As others have noted, it is extremely frustrating that the writers, producers, and director were not able to set the rural town in VT in the 1990s (when the show takes place) or even the 1960s (when the show was filmed). When Will first appears in the town on the awning above the other boy I immediately thought the show had offered a twist: Will does indeed go back to earth -- only it's earth of the 1930s or 40s. All of the signage on the storefronts is in old-fashioned style that you would see in a television movie taking place at the turn of the 19th century. The sidewalks appear to be wooden planks raised off of the street, much like the way you would see them in a western. There is even a wagon on the side of the street (yes, a horse-drawn wagon, minus the horse). Didn't anyone involved stop the production for a minute to suggest that maybe there wouldn't be horse-drawn wagons just laying around in the late 1990s? I figured that the show just used the available city street set and it just happened to be one designed to look like the turn of the 19th century. The only thing that suggested the exterior of the town even takes place in the 20th century is the school bus in a later scene. Then we get to the house of the boy who befriends Will. The phone looks like something out of Green Acres or the Andy Griffith Show. Were phones like that still in use even in the 1960s? And an actual operator connecting the calls with the old-fashioned head set and wires and plugs? I know there were phone operators in the 1960s but did their equipment look like something from the 1930s? Then we get to the sheriff's office with the newspaper reporter, who snaps a photo of Will using his Speed Graphic complete with disposable flash bulb. He says he will investigate Will's claim to be the actual Will Robinson. Investigate? Never mind that everyone Will comes in contact with has heard of the Jupiter II and the Robinsons. Nevermind that an event like the Jupiter II blasting off for Alpha Centauri would have been a worldwide sensation and covered in the news endlessly. Heck, it was only a year ago that the Robinsons blasted off. Didn't anyone recognize Will from all of the press photos and newsreels that would have accompanied this fantastic journey? Is everyone in this town stupid?Then we come to the wardrobe department. Everyone in the town is literally dressed like they are from the depression-era. All the "youths" are wearing those woolen checkered coats? Are these supposed to be troubled kids from the 1990s or backwoods Ed Geins in training? I realize the show's creators couldn't accurately predict how 90s kids would look or behave but at least don't make them look like something from the 1930s. I kept waiting for them to play a game of stickball or kick the can.Will later finds himself inside the General Store. The sign outside actually says "General Store". A dated, wooden planked floor interior complete with a barrel, presumably a pickle-barrel for the old-timers to play checkers on. Then there is some frustrating dialogue where Will is becoming frustrated with trying to convince the older lady to let him call Alpha Control so they can send a rescue ship to his family. She is sympathetic but voices her doubt and even goes so far as to say "if only there was some way to know for sure". I know a way! Just let Will call Alpha Control! Geez.This episode really got me worked up. It could have been much, much better. I realize the show isn't all that great anyway and has lots of plot holes and horrible dialogue most of the time. But it's usually fun to watch and I can suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it. However this episode just stood out as the entire production team dropping the ball and insulting the audience.

Just an observation on Smith's character. Granted he is the villian through all the episodes, but at least he is wise enough to be gentle with the kids and modest (except of course when he tried to sell Will out to the fifth dimension aliens episode), Several advantages to being a villian--most obvious they get most attention negative or not, they end up making all the money from the high ratings in show biz. Viewers hate them, but clever enough that what addicts the viewers to just keep paying to watch them and hope they get caught and pay the piper. Even Smith redeems himself on occassion but rarely. Unfortunately, for the other characters that are too likeable and loveable, end up with the short end of the stick monetarily, because they are simply neutral in the eyes of the viewers who pay to go see movies, or sponsered advertisements who don't care just whatever show or movie gets most attention.

Im not as wild about this episode as the other reviewers. If the writers had thought outside the box and imagined what a rural Vermont town would have been like it the 90's, this COULD have been a great episode, Its just ok with the rural town coming across as a town from Kentucky in the 30's. There's no way it feels like the 60's nor the 90's when this was supposed to be taking place. For shame on everybody.
As it is, one of Mumy's best performances and its interestingly presented. But that's it!

I thought the same thing even as a kid, Knowing that the 1960's were much more modern looking than this. Even if they had no idea what the late 90's would look like the writers made no attempt to make earth look futuristic. They could have at least made it look like the decade the show was made in: (The 1960's). Instead for some reason they made it look like the 30's or something. I will always love Lost in Space but will always question some of the thinking of Irwin Allen and his writers.

I've been using the internet since it's invention. Free HULU is the best thing I've encountered thus far, and Lost in space is the BEST thing on HULU ! I remember watching these growing up. Lost in Space, The Original Start Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers & StarBlazers were my favorite space shows. I hope Hulu gets more content like My favorite Lost in Space !!!!!!!

You have to keep in mind that this show was made on mid sixties.....they would have no idea what the late 90's would be like.....loved the show when I was a kid and am having a great time watching it now. I even remember some of the episodes. Thanks Hulu!