Third Season Episodes - Visit To A Hostile Planet (episode 61)

The Robinsons are mistaken for aliens when they land on Earth 50 years in the past.

Accidentally crashing the light barrier, the Jupiter 2 regains control and the Robot reads out their location a solar system which contains the planet Earth. But, as they make a routine approach and radio Alpha Control, there is no response. The ship lands in Manatou, Michigan. When Don and John find cars bearing 1947 license plates, they realize that their high speed travel took them through a time warp. A radio urges all local citizens to report to the home of Joseph Cragmire to set up a defense against "the thing" from outer space.

Watchman Grover and farmer-friend Charley grow bold enough to confront what Grover insists are "Voltones," and hold Smith and Will at gunpoint. John rescues them with his laser, but not before two locals have shot off the guidance system an tenna. John knows they cannot stay. Ordering the repair of the antenna, John names lift-off time. Smith is horrified! He slips out, and Will and the Robot go after him. In town, Smith manages to disguise himself as a visiting fireman.

When Will and the Robot find him, he allows a band of vigilantes to capture them. Meanwhile, a young farmer, Craig, comes face to face with Penny and Judy. He captures Judy, while Penny runs to tell the others. John and Don, armed with lasers, rescue Judy from the confused young man, and then say they will be leaving, but not before they get Will back. At the saine time, Smith tries to convince the locals that a glorious future will be theirs if the strange Visitors can be made to stay.

When Craig relates John's ultimatum, Smith leads a march on the Jupiter 2, pulling a wobbly old cannon along, threatening to destroy the ship. By now, Will has recovered the Robot's power-pack and arrives on the scene as the cannon is loaded. John and Don seize the moment, pick up lasers, get everyone inside and prepare for take-off. At the last moment, Smith joins them, and the Jupiter 2 blasts off, leaving Craig and Stacy to wonder whether they might have been humans after all.

Mark Goddard Comment

The crew built a full-size mock-up of the J2, which cost $30, 000 to build. The ship itself was huge and hollow on the inside. The viewport contained the 3 consoles that were used on the set.

This ship was built on the inside of the sound stage, and the crew could not get it out through the sound stage door. For the episode, they took the ship apart, and rebuilt it outside the sound stage. I like this episode a lot, and I consider it to be one of my favorites.

Bill Mumy Comment

What I liked about that episode is for only the second time in the run of the show we really DID get back to earth, (the first of course, when Will returned to Hatfield Four Corners in one of my very favorite episodes, first season's "Return To Earth"). 

1947, historically speaking, is the year of the Roswell U.F.O. crash, and certainly the height of post War space paranoia... It was also the ONLY episode to use the full size Jupiter 2! We all walked under the ship as we exited and that looks great."

The whole "Voltones" thing and the robot as a scarecrow, etc, gets a bit too campy for my taste, but Guy's speech at the end is wonderful. And powerful. He was so cool... 

Ray Dutczak Comment

This was probably one of the best episodes of the whole series. In this episode, the J2 and its crew finally get back to earth via the time warp. The only problem is that the year is 1947. We get to see the full J2 mock-up, in all its glory, outside on the FOX lot. 

Most of this episode is filmed outside, which gives it a very nice touch. One reason this episode was most enjoyable to watch was due to the fine acting by the entire LIS crew. Another reason was the special effects. Not only did the special effects make this show enjoyable to watch, but also it was one of the best displays from LIS's 83 episodes. 

Filming