An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Lost in Space (TV 2018)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Vijay Dhar/Penny Robinson
Characters: Vijay Dhar, Penny Robinson
Additional Tags: Judy Robinson (mentioned), Will Robinson (mentioned) - Freeform, Deleted Scene, DO NOT PERCIEVE ME, Feelings, no beta we die like men, Canon Compliant?, Post Season 2, Pre Season 3
Summary:
Penny, for once, had nothing to say. She was familiar and not, all at the same time. They were both so different than they had been a year ago. Vijay wasn't sure what this new Penny would want from him. Or if she even would want him at all.
"I'm from Alberta." He found his lips moving without him giving them permission.
Penny sat up and finally looked at him, really looked at him. Sure, her expression was confused and a little taken aback, but there she was. He found her.
“Comfortable alone and easily overlooked. A kindred spirit? Perhaps–if not kindred to the man he is, or was, then to the sort of man he wouldn’t mind being.”
Putting them under the cut so I don’t spoil anyone!
Also this got away from me and got so long. I regret nothing.
I LOVED this season. So much more than season 2, actually! The best way I can describe it is as a very loving sendoff for the Robinson family. The writers got to end the show on their terms, and gave everyone a satisfying conclusion. In the end, the show is, and always has been, about family.
Now into the nitty gritty.
One thing I complained about last year was how the Robinsons (specifically Maureen) seemed to have an answer for everything. No matter how difficult (or weird) the problem was, she always had a solution. This season, she was very clearly beaten down from their ordeal over the last couple of years, and more willing to say “I don’t know.”. They are no longer fresh-faced and exploring space with curious eyes. They’re tired. They’re stressed. They want to be left alone.
The Robinson kids have also grown up! Both literally and action wise. They took charge in most situations, and were confident about it, too. Will really is all heart, and Maxwell Jenkins plays him so, so well. The scene in episode 9, where the Robot sacrifices himself... bro, when Will grabbed the ashes... It was a beautifully done scene.
Judy admitting that she was trying to live up to impossible standards was such a relief. Poor girl had way too much placed on her this season, she deserves a nap and an Oreo.
Penny. My love. My light. The girl who kept the show when things got dark. She deserves a whole separate post so keep your eyes peeled for that when I do a series rewatch next week.
Also gotta do a separate post about the robot lore because that shit was WILD.
The soundtrack was most excellent. Ajay made me tear up with his rendition of “Three Little Birds”. I’m listening to it now as I type this out.
I love that Victor knows now that when the Robinsons show up, shit is about to hit the fan. He’s absolutely right.
The characters each got satisfying arcs and conclusions. Usually, when series end, I’m unhappy with one or two characters arcs, but here, they all fit. I was impressed that the writers agreed that these characters have worked so hard, and deserve to be happy.
Now, for the ships:
John and Maureen: Beautiful, gorgeous, amazing, inimitable. Girlboss and malewife energy. Biwife energy too.
Penny and her boyfriends: Is a love triangle ever necessary? No. Am I glad that more people than Vijay finally noticed that she is The Best? Yes. Still, PenJay all the way - especially after he brought her Oreos.
Don and Judy: Robinwest. Badass princesses. The reason I even have this sideblog. Honestly? I’m not mad about what the writers gave us. I think they gave us what they could without upsetting the people who were, you know, upset with their relationship in season 1. We finally got a hug! And not a brief back slap, but an honest to goodness embrace, complete with rocking back and forth. They had flirty banter, and got to interact so much more than in season 2. She called him her family. In my opinion, Don and Judy’s relationship was left completely open to interpretation, and I appreciate the writers not shutting the door on the relationship completely. It’s better than I could have expected, honestly.
Final thoughts:
I’m so happy that the Robinsons finally get to be at peace. Each character is living their dream (farmer John lol). They’re all together because they are, at the end of the day, a family. Sometimes, a family is three precocious geniuses, a former Navy SEAL, an astrophysicist, a mechanic/smuggler, a presumed dead astronaut, and a giant robot. And a chicken. and I think that’s beautiful.
Just finished watching, and my first thought when the credits began rolling is that I’m really going to miss this show and these characters. Although I wish Netflix gave it more seasons, I’m glad they had the opportunity to provide a real conclusion.
