The Role and Authority of Dr. Smith in 'Lost in Space'

The character of Dr. Smith in the original series 'Lost in Space' is a complex one. In the initial episodes of the show, Dr. Smith's military rank as a Colonel creates a significant dynamic, especially considering his relationship with John Robinson, who holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. This raises the question: how can a Colonel, who should theoretically outrank even John Robinson, be given commands by the crew?

To understand this, we must delve into the character's background and his role within the crew. Initially, Smith came across as a menacing presence, threatening and possibly even a saboteur. However, this characterization was quickly replaced with a more comical and bumbling persona. Despite his military rank, Dr. Smith was, in fact, a stowaway and a saboteur, not officially part of the crew's mission.

The crew, particularly John Robinson, knew Smith was a stowaway. The extent to which they knew about his sabotage varied, but regardless, his unauthorized presence on board the Jupiter 2 placed him in a subordinate position to the official crew members. The ship's pilot, Major West, also held a rank that gave him command authority over Smith, as did Dr. Robinson, who was the Expedition Commander and de facto Captain of the Jupiter 2.

Smith's Background and Position

Dr. Smith's status as a Colonel is noteworthy. His appointment was likely due to his medical training, which may have created a certain level of respect and trust from the other crew members. However, even with this rank, he was not a part of the official expedition team. This meant that his authority was nonexistent from the perspective of the Jupiter 2's official crew. Once trapped on the ship during its launch, Smith became an unauthorized party, essentially a stowaway. His supposed rank and his opinion therefore meant nothing to the situation.

Jonathan Harris, the actor who played Dr. Smith, dropped the evil traitor persona in favor of the bumbling, incompetent character early in the series. His military rank was rarely mentioned after the first few episodes of the first season, except in flashbacks or in special plots, such as "The Time Merchant" in season 3, where it was necessary to establish a timeline involving historical events.

Conclusion

The role of Dr. Smith in 'Lost in Space' is a fascinating study in how military authority and unofficial presence interact on a spacecraft. Despite his military rank, he was not a part of the official mission, and his authority over the crew was non-existent once he became a stowaway. His position as an unauthorized party on board the Jupiter 2 further underscored his lack of command authority, reinforcing the understanding that according to the show's narrative, he was subordinate to the official crew members.

The character's transition from a threatening figure to a bumbling, comic relief character highlights the creative flexibility of the show and how it managed to balance different narrative elements. This complexity adds to the enduring appeal of 'Lost in Space' as a reimagining of a classic science fiction series.