Lost in Space (TV Series) The Astral Traveler (1967) User Reviews

Better than most of the second season episodes that preceded it

[garrard · 6/10 · 5 August 2010]

While "The Astral Traveler" may not rank in the top ten - or even 20 - fan favorites of all, it still has its memorable moments and performances:

1) the revolving door "portal" - Of course, it's special effects on a budget, but the scene of it hollowed into the side of a cave is way cool.

2) the "banshee" cry - This is possibly one of the most effective - and especially creepy - sound effects used on the show.

3) Sean McClory - The veteran and under-appreciated actor - deserving of an Oscar nomination for "Cheyenne Autumn" - gives a "spirited" performance as Hammish, the ghost that Will befriends during his trip to Scotland.

The Astral Traveller

[Scarecrow-88 · 5/10 · 20 July 2012]

A dimensional portal caused by a time warp (it is a revolving door!) opens in a cavern allowing Will to visit what he believes to be a Scottish castle on Earth, but it turns out to be a limbo-type prison for a beheaded Scot *ghostie* named Hamish and his Uncle Angus (who was turned into a constantly shrieking sea monster who lives in the lake near Hamish's derelict ancient castle). Once returning to his family, Will has a hard time getting anyone to believe what he just experienced. That is until Hamish finds himself on their planet, human with a bad case of gout in his foot. Smith gets the idea of using this portal as a means to return to Earth, not knowing what the place really is, Hamish particularly amused of what awaits him. Angus loves to eat people, and perhaps Smith is on the menu! More camp in the second season. A fun Sean McGlory, often sounding the bag pipes, like other supporting guest stars during this season, makes the most of his stereotypical role (he has a long red beard and wears a kilt), more of a contemporary Earth character than a science fiction alien (but this has always been the case with Lost in Space). The castle, with its torture chamber devices and chamber, stone-walled rooms (not to mention, a hooded executioner), is rather neat, but it should belong on a different show, but finds a home on Lost in Space because it isn't conventional, serious science fiction. As was often the case, Will befriends another character, this time Hamish, talking some sense into him when he attempts to have Smith beheaded (!) because his ancestor was responsible for the ghost's condemned fate. West is successful in creating a warp that can produce the portal in the cave but the gateway won't always open and close so Will can't keep going back and forth from one dimension to the next. Of course, Jonathan Harris lays on the ham when Smith is frightened out of his wits when seeing Angus for the first time and at the beginning when trapped in the cavern initially with Will, believing he was doomed to die there. I think the opening of the episode, prior to Hamish's appearance, with Will exploring the castle, the Angus monster looking for him, is really the best part, but McGlory, I must admit, is a joy to watch.

Hoots mon, not exactly a single malt (but an OK blend of genres)

[jamesrupert2014 · 6/10 · 16 March 2023]

Will and Smith discover yet another mysterious cave, this one containing some kind of trans-dimensional 'revolving door' that transports them to a creepy Earthly castle inhabited by Hamish (Sean McClory), a beheaded Scottish ghostie and his uncle Angus, apparently cursed to be a ravenous aquatic beastie (played by Allen's resident monster-thesp Dawson Palmer). The episode makes little sense but has a certain charm that elevates it above the season's many other non-sensical episodes. As far as eccentric LiS guest characters go, Hamish and Angus are amusing and the haunted-torture-chamber motif, punctuated by Angus' ongoing moans and cries, is well done (at least by LiS Season 2 standards). As usual, Will's and Smith's claims to have experienced the inexplicable are met with doubt despite the pair having been proven correct numerous times in the past. Pretty typical for what had started off as an edgy 'hard-science-fiction' show but was now a kid-oriented, a light-weight camp-fantasy, silly but watchable with a pleasant ending.

Not a Dream, but a Nightmare!!!

[bigfrankie-43464 · 9/10 · 15 December 2022]

The Astral Traveler ranks near the top, if not at the top of the most terrifying horror episodes of Lost in Space.

It is also one of the best Season Two episodes.

As opposed to the non-sensical dream like tone of many Season Two episodes, at several points, this is more like a horrible nightmare (a point Dr. Smith actually brings up).

As a result of a storm, Dr. Smith and Will take shelter in a cave, which then collapses on them. The Robot cannot fit and returns to the Jupiter Two for help.

Will discovers a revolving door that takes him into a different dimension and back to earth in a Ancient Scottish castle/ dungeon. The next several minutes are probably the most terrifying of any Lost in Space episode, including any in Season One. A terrifying monster (Angus) that wails like a banshee pursues Will. The terrifying background music makes it worse.

Will and Hamish, the Scottish ghost are able to return to the Robinson's planet. It is then determined that Dr. Smith will return to earth, with Hamish, to send a rescue. Hamish is wise to Dr. Smith's plan that he will return without sending a rescue. This Dr. Smith is more like the Dr. Smith of mid- Season One and he even references him having to stand trial for what he did if the Robinsons are rescued. This ties The Astral Traveler to early Season One, which does not happen often in Season Two.

Will follows them through the door after Dr. Smith drops one of his belongings. Once back on earth, Dr. Smith is also terrified by the monster. Hamish already does not like Dr. Smith due to his lack of character, but when he finds out Dr. Smith is an ancestor of the family that beheaded him, they attempt them same on Dr. Smith. It is one of the most violent scenes in all of Lost in Space.

Directly prior to that, Dr. Smith again (briefly) becomes the mid-Season One Dr. Smith as he argues with Hamish. The actual execution of Dr. Smith almost takes place, until he is saved by Will.

Side Note: Except for a very brief communication via radio, Prof Robinson is not in this episode.

PS: The teaser for the following week's episode (The Galaxy Gift) gets my vote for the worst teaser of any Lost in Space episode. How they could go from horror to this absolute buffoonery is beyond me!