Ep 15. Return from Outer Space

The Robinson family has had a rough time since their spacecraft, the Jupiter 2, crash-landed on a remote planet in a distant galaxy. They have encountered dangerous creatures, treacherous terrain, and hostile environments. But in the midst of all this, they have also discovered new friends, explored strange technologies, and strengthened their bonds as a family.

In "Return from Outer Space," the Robinsons are faced with a new challenge: the sudden return of a long-lost family member. This unexpected arrival shakes up the entire crew, who struggle to process the news and adjust to the new dynamic. Meanwhile, they continue their efforts to repair the Jupiter 2 and find a way off the planet before the next disaster strikes.

The episode opens with the Robinsons going about their daily routines: John and Don are working on the power grid, Judy is patching up the greenhouse, Penny is trying to teach the robot how to draw, and Will is feeding the space chickens. Suddenly, the alarms go off, signaling an incoming spacecraft. Everyone rushes to the control room to see who it is.

When the ship lands, the Robinsons are shocked to see who steps out of the airlock: Maureen's sister, Jess. Jess is a brilliant scientist who has been on a secret mission to investigate the source of a rare mineral that could revolutionize space travel. She was supposed to return months ago, but her ship malfunctioned and she was stranded on a hostile planet. Somehow, she managed to repair her vessel and make her way back to the Jupiter 2.

Maureen and Jess have a strained relationship, stemming from childhood issues that are not fully explained in the episode. But the tension between them is palpable, and the rest of the family can sense it. Jess is eager to catch up with her sister and meet her nieces and nephews, but Maureen is guarded and distant. John tries to mediate the situation, but his efforts are unsuccessful.

As the episode progresses, we see the different ways that Jess's arrival affects each of the Robinsons. Judy is thrilled to meet her aunt and geek out over science, but also feels a bit overshadowed. Penny is wary of Jess's motives and feels protective of her parents. Don seems suspicious of Jess and tries to probe her for information about her mission. Will is excited to have another adult around, but also senses the tension between his mom and aunt. And the robot, of course, is confused by all the conflicting emotions.

Meanwhile, the repairs on the Jupiter 2 continue. John and Don make a breakthrough in the power system, but realize that they need the rare mineral to complete it. Jess offers to help, but Maureen insists that she stay out of it. This leads to a heated argument between the sisters, with Maureen accusing Jess of being selfish and reckless, and Jess accusing Maureen of being too controlling.

Eventually, the family decides to work together to obtain the mineral. They devise a plan to travel to the other side of the planet, where the mineral is rumored to be abundant. Jess and Don will take the land vehicle, while John, Maureen, and the kids will stay at the Jupiter 2 to monitor the situation. As they prepare for the mission, tensions rise even higher, with Jess and Maureen barely speaking to each other and Don caught in the middle.

The mission does not go smoothly, of course. The land vehicle is attacked by a group of alien scavengers, who steal some of the equipment and damage the vehicle. Jess and Don manage to escape, but not before sustaining injuries. When they return to the Jupiter 2, the Robinsons must work together to repair the vehicle and treat Jess and Don's injuries.

Through all the drama, the Robinsons learn some important lessons about family, forgiveness, and trust. Jess realizes that she needs to take responsibility for her actions and respect Maureen's authority. Maureen realizes that she needs to let go of past grievances and be more open to others. The rest of the family realizes that they are stronger together than they are apart.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the Robinsons still stranded on the planet and the Jupiter 2 far from spaceworthy. But they are determined to keep going, to keep fighting, and to find a way home. And with Jess on board, they might just have a better chance than before.