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.