When Dr. Smith accidentally blows out a power relay, the Jupiter 2 is left with insufficient energy to meet its needs. One consequence is that the Robot cannot be recharged; Will is particularly upset because, when the Robot’s power reserves are completely used up, it will cease to function—effectively, the Robot will die.
In an attempt to save Will and the other Robinsons from further pain, the Robot records a message to them before leaving camp to go off and die. He travels as far as he can before his energy is so low that he collapses in the Valley of Shadows.
When Will discovers that the Robot has left, he sets out with Dr. Smith to find him. They track him down, only to find he has grown to enormous proportions because of radioactive gas found in the area. Undaunted, Will and Dr. Smith set about repairing the Robot by actually climbing inside and making repairs that way.
With the Robot’s voice to guide them, they avoid his self-defense mechanisms and arrive at the source of the Robot’s malfunction. By that point, the Robot’s power is almost exhausted, but Will does everything in his power to save him, despite Dr. Smith’s repeated demands to return outside. At one point Will even manages to revive the Robot when his diode timer, his heart, ceases to function.
The next morning, John and Don are searching for the missing members of their party. When they find the gigantic Robot with an access panel on his base open, they deduce Will’s plan and decide to go inside to find the boy and Dr. Smith. Meanwhile, Will discovers how to return the Robot to his original size and he begins to shrink quickly.
Smith, Will, John and Don are almost trapped as the Robot grows smaller and smaller. All escape in time, though, except for Will. John is frantic with worry and he and Don attempt to keep the Robot’s access hatch open with a log to allow Will to make it out. At the last moment, with barely enough room to spare, Will appears near the hatch and they drag him out. After their close call, and happy to have the Robot back, the Robinsons recharge him fully.
Background Information[]
- Many props from other episodes are used to represent the Robot's internal workings. Most noticeable is the Purification Arch prop from The Colonists. In this respect the episode could be what is called in the TV industry a "bottle show" - a script that can be filmed cheaply as it uses existing props, sets, special effects, and a minimum cast. Bottle shows are typically kept in reserve in case a committed script becomes un-doable and something is needed at the last minute or in order to bring production costs back under control.
- Knowing how completely inept Smith is, why did John trust him (yet again) with an important job?
- We see Smith eating an apple and a banana. However, in the episode “Wish Upon a Star,” it is clearly stated that apples are rare items that the Robinsons do not have. And if they can’t get apples, it’s very doubtful they could get bananas either.... Also, where do they get the eggs for all their breakfasts?
- Prior to Penny playing the tape of the Robot's farewell message to the Robinsons we saw him roll off away from the ship. How and when did the Robot manage to record the tape after that in such a way that Penny would find it on the Jupiter 2?
- When the Robot first mentioned his power problem to Will and Dr. Smith he acted as if he was about to run out of power that very moment. Where did he get all the power to move so far away from the Jupiter for hours?
- "The Valley of Shadows" - is that a biblical reference to the valley of the shadow of death in Psalm 23?
- When Will finds the Robot, he tells Robot that John “changed his mind” and is willing to give Robot the power he needs to survive. But the next morning at the Jupiter 2, John himself states that he has remained steadfast and has NOT changed his mind. Perhaps Will lied in order to persuade the Robot to allow him to work on him.
- Why will the Robot "die" if he isn't recharged? The Robot has been powered down many times before, and in several cases, completely disassembled. Why did he not die then?
- The Robot has been turned completely off, and later, turned back on again many times. Why didn't the Robinson's just turn the Robot off, then turn him back on again after they were back up to full power?
- The Robot is lying horizontally on his back so all the instrumentation inside him should be horizontal as well, and yet it is vertical.
- Will says if the Robot's diode timer isn't kept running it will freeze in one position, making it impossible to ever start it again; and yet when Will says this the diode timer has already stopped running.
- Memorable line - Dr. Smith (sardonically): "It appears that you cannot keep a good robot down."
- When the Robot begins to "shrink," he shrinks horizontally with the walls closing in, but does not shrink vertically with all the instrumentation getting smaller.
- Will calls out "Dad!" but how does he know his father is inside the Robot?
- The external hatch shrank but not the Robot's tread section.
- If they could use the chariot's power to recharge the Robot why didn't they just do that from the beginning?
Gallery[]
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Quotes[]
[ Man ] Last week, as you recall, we left our space pioneers checking their electrical system unaware that Dr.
Smith's carelessness could result in the fatal destruction of their faithful Robot.
Well, we've replaced all the transistoroids.
All that remains now is to lay in the relays.
And make sure we get back to full power gradually.
Well, that'll be Smith's job.
Do you understand what you're to do? - Of course I do, Professor.
It's a very simple procedure.
- Good.
All right, Smith.
Let's hear you repeat it.
I am fully aware of my responsibilities, Major.
As I have said many times in the past: Never fear, Smith is here.
Oh, I know this is a mistake.
All right.
Let's go over it once more.
When you see the yellow light go on, hit the blue button.
Then wait two seconds and hit the black button.
Then wait three seconds and hit the green.
- Child's play.
- Well, that's why we picked you to do it.
Bah! [ Scoffs ] Nothing to it at all.
The yellow light, the black button the blue button and the green button.
- Would you like some coffee? - Why, thank you very much, dear lady.
Black, if you don't mind.
Now, let me see.
What was it? Ah, green, blue, black.
Yes.
No.
Blue, yellow, uh, green, uh, black-- Is something wrong? Uh, nothing at all, madam.
Just solving a simple problem.
- [ Beeping ] - What's that for? A signal from your husband.
Now, let me see.
Whatever it is John wants you to do, I think you'd better do it.
By all means.
Now, which button was it? Ah! The green button! Of course! There! Oh, John! Something appears to be wrong.
I'd better press the blue button.
Dr.
Smith! Dr.
Smith! I'm innocent! The professor probably got his wires crossed.
- I did everything perfectly.
- Look, Don and John are in there! We've got to get to them! Perhaps you should go without me.
In the event of a further disaster, I will care for the children.
- No, you're coming with me! - I don't see any reason why we should both risk our lives! - Come on, now.
They may be badly injured! - Oh! - [ John ] Maureen, stay back! - Ah! I knew this was a mistake! We've gotta ground that cable! Can't you turn the power off? All systems are damaged! It would take too long to locate the source! We're all gonna be killed! Except for the end, the cable's insulated.
- If I could just get my hands on it.
- Oh, no.
It's too dangerous! - Ohh! - It's got to be done! Smith, give me a hand! [ Cries Out ] I have a phobia about electricity! As a child I received a severe shock! - Smith, hurry it up! - No, no! It's too much! I won't do it! [ Yelling ]
[ Whirring, Pulsating ] Good heavens! What's that noise? It's the Robot's tunnel diode timer. It's kind of like a mechanical heart.[ Gasping ] We'll never be able to do anything with that dreadful noise booming in our ears! The diode timer's not beating as fast as it should.[ Robot ] Forgive me, Dr.Smith.I was unnerved by your entrance.My sensors are under control now.And high time too! We're gonna try and make our way to your main sensory areas.Affirmative.I shall do all I can to assist you.We appreciate it! Now, what's to be done? Several of my parts have become detached because of a lack of attention by Dr.Smith.Also, I have some wiring which needs repairing.How ungrateful you are, you gigantic gargoyle! After all I've done for you! Dr.Smith, you and the Robot can argue later.Right now, we've gotta make our repairs and get the Robot back to normal.
- Halt! Dr.
Smith! Warning! Danger! Aah! What is it? It is my infrared heat-seeking laser unit.
- Is it dangerous? - Exceedingly.
Its purpose is to destroy alien bodies in my interior.
[ Cries Out ] Do something, you blithering ***! Stop it! We are not alien bodies! Unfortunately, in here, you are! - [ Screaming ] - Dr.
Smith, get down! Save me! Help! [ Shouting ] Help! Somebody save me! It's trying to kill me! Help! - Dr.
Smith! - He is very frightened.
To tell you the truth, so am I.
I better go find him.
There is no time, Will Robinson.
My power is rapidly dwindling.
If you do not accomplish your task quickly, it will be too late.
- But what about Dr.
Smith? - I shall locate and direct him to my computer zone.
- He can meet you there.
- I guess you're right.
Now I shall give you instructions how to proceed.
Listen carefully.
You must avoid the center section of my body, as it is radioactive - by going through my audio canal.
- Check.
[ Screams ] Get away! Get away, whatever you are! [ Robot ] Dr.
Smith, are you all right? I think so.
I am very sorry you were frightened.
And so you should be.
If you had been looking after my well-being this dreadful incident would never have occurred! There was no danger.
You are in the automated reflex portion of my body.
The hose considered you a new part in my system and wished only to lubricate you with graphite.
Inform that ridiculous contraption that I am not rusty! A little graphite might have been very beneficial.
Your jokes are quite old and creaky.
[ Wheezing Laughter ] Stop that sickening sound this instant! You are right.
I should not laugh.
It wastes precious power.
Your problems are of no interest to me! Get me out of here! Affirmative.
If you will follow my instructions.
- Go to your right.
- Yes.
Yes.
No, no, Dr.
Smith! The other way! I know the way, you gargantuan goose!
Boy, this sure is complicated.
[ Robot ] My trunk section is the same as before.
I am only bigger.
Yeah, by about a hundred times.
I'd better get to work.
[ Robot ] The sooner this unpleasant business is over and I am normal again, the happier I shall be.
When's Dr.
Smith gonna get here? In a few moments.
He is passing through my temperature control unit now.
Good.
I'll need him to disconnect some of your wiring.
- [ Beeping ] - Dr.
Smith! Stay away from there! I told you to walk to the right! Go back! Hurry! - What happened? - Dr.
Smith is in terrible danger! - You must go to him at once.
- Where is he? Between my computer tubes and straight ahead.
Quickly, or you will be too late!
[ Groaning ] What's this? Stop it! Stop it! I'd better turn this on in case they try to reach us.
Oh, come on now, girls.
Don't look so glum.
Let's go to work.
Well, I think we should hunt for them.
Don't you agree, Judy? Well, we could search the caves near the swamp.
- Dad and Don would never think of looking there.
- No, you're going to stay here.
- Oh, but, Mom-- - Now that's enough! That whole area is full of quicksand.
- Now, I suggest we just drop the subject.