episode #36 - The Android Machine

episode #36 / Air Date: 10/26/66 (episode #7 of 2nd season)
written by Bob and Wanda Duncan; Directed by Don Richardson

An alien galactic version of a vending machine conjures up a female-shaped android (Dee Hartford) after Dr. Smith pushes a few buttons. She's all silvery and, as something he ordered, is programmed to follow his instructions. Soon, however, she begins to display more depth to her behavior, mostly having to do with her interrelating with the kids, Will & Penny. She displaces the Robot (who gets huffy and pouting here) as the kids' tutor; the key moment occurs when they encounter another goofy monster who lives in a cave; the android, Verda, displays protective instincts and self-sacrifice (I was, however, disturbed by the presentation here: the monster was just minding its own business in his cave and gets disintegrated by John Robinson's laser rifle; no respect for other lifeforms here).
Everyone in the group is enamored of Verda except Smith who, annoyed with all these developments, contacts the makers of these androids, an intergalactic department store, represented by Mr. Zumdish (Fritz Feld - he of the popping his mouth method). He expects payment, but since Verda seems defective, he'll merely take her back to be scrapped. The Robinsons, especially the kids, are not very happy with this prospect.
This was a more interesting episode than average and Verda, proving to be popular, would return in a future episode - Revolt of the Androids. But, it's got some really dumb moments, courtesy of Penny. Near the end, she spirits Verda away from the ship (which wasn't necessary) and they are pursued by Zumdish's servant. Verda warns not to attack this servant (which would kick in his attack mode) so what does Penny do? She turns violent, throwing a rock at the servant's back. This episode also provided a typical environment for the series, that there were all these mysterious & strange gadgets / machinery lying around the planet waiting to be discovered; it proposed an 'anything-goes' atmosphere for the series, even if it was a little goofy.
BoG's Score: 6.5 out of 10
Epilogue Tag: the group has set up some small relay station which Smith botches; then a huge man who looks like a wrestler walks in to the area; John tries to introduce himself but is attacked; John manages to defeat him but a 2nd fighter shows up and lifts John over his head.. freeze frame!