Lost in Space: Mark Goddard and Jonathan Harris were friends away from the set

Lost in Space remains a cult classic

The television series Lost in Space aired for 3 seasons on CBS from 1965 until 1968. Today, this television program continues to be a favorite on Retro channels like MeTV. In the first season of the cult classic, the plots were serious as the Robinson family navigated being lost in the atmosphere.

The Black & White episodes added an air of mystery each week and ran until the final episode (#29) of season 1, which was partially colorized. Seasons 2 and 3 were completely in color.

Midway through season two, the storyline shifted. Episodes were campy, with most of the comedy coming from the dynamic between Major Don West (Mark Goddard) and Dr. Zachary Smith (Jonathan Harris).

Dr. Smith and Major West were like oil and water

Dr. Smith and the Robot had their moments, but his human interactions with the Major were interesting and funny. Smith would run from trouble and hide when it was time to work.

Major West often called him out on his shenanigans and forced him to deal with unpleasant situations. Don was responsible for Dr. Smith going out into the unknown when he wanted to remain inside the spacecraft and hide.

The Major also often referred to his crew member as simply "Smith" withotu acknowledging the title of doctor. West was a hot head and easily provoked. You could see the fury in his eyes each time the good doctor botched orders or caused calamity.

Smith's cowardly antics often pushed the major's buttons. Don would shake his head in disgust each time the doctor talked about his delicate, aching back and said, "The pain, oh the pain of it all." This duo were like oil and water and did not mix well.

A friendship that lasted 35 years

Smith often tried to steer the spaceship Jupiter 2 in other directions or would sabotage missions in his quest to return to Earth. Major West was usually the one to clean up behind Zachary, and he did not like it.

The two men sparred back and forth as if they hated one another, but off-camera, the opposite was true. Goddard has been quoted as saying he wished the series had remained serious, but he went with the flow. Fans say they wanted to see the relationship with Don and Judy Robinson (Marta Christian) develop but it was over after season 1.

Off camera, the entire living cast of the series has remained close. Goddard, June Lockhart (Maurine Robinson), Christian, Billy Mumy (Will Robinson), and Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson) were all set to appear on the film Lost in Space: The Return Home which would have thrilled fans and given closure. but it never happened.

Lost in Space missed opportunity

The film was halted because Harris passed away on November 3, 2002, from a blood clot in the heart. He was 88. Guy Williams (John Robinson) died in 1989 from a brain aneurysm.

Goddard has spoken publicly about how close he and the man who played Dr. Smith were. Their friendship lasted 35 years, and he considered Harris a mentor as well as a friend.

You would not know this based on the sarcasm and distrust Don had for Dr. Smith on-screen. He would roll his eyes as if he wanted to strangle the doctor.

Watching Doctor Smith and Major West in Lost in Space, there is no hint of the duo having any affection for each other. Their off-screen friendship and affection for one another could not be noted while cameras were rolling. That's what you call good acting. Goddard died on October 10, 2023, of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 87.