This was one of the better episodes - far superior to the campy nonsense of the later seasons. It is unique for several reasons.
One, it gave Guy Williams a chance to show off his acting talents, which were considerable. In several scenes here, he has an alarming presence, and he can intimidate us quite convincingly.
Second, this episode was written on a higher level, and appears to have been directed at an adult audience. The story is metaphorical. It shows how a man's vices (e.g., alcohol, drugs, adultery) can destroy not only himself but also his family. Anyone who has lived in a family ruled by alcohol, as I have, will understand my point.
Consider: Out of curiosity, John Robinson naively ventures into a unknown but seemingly benign environment (in this case, a cave with strange artifacts) and is suddenly and without his knowledge engulfed by an evil spirit. The spirit here is an ancient warrior, but it represents the overpowering grip of alcohol, which can take hold of us sooner than we know if we are not careful.
At first, John's family is worried by his disappearance. When he suddenly reappears, albeit in a disheveled state, all seems well. But it soon becomes evident that something is not right with John. His demeanor changes, he displays an explosive temper, and his behavior becomes erratic and unpredictable. The family is alarmed by these changes, but they are powerless to deal with them. As time goes on, John becomes nearly impossible to live with. Even his successes (e.g., finding a way to get off the planet) provide no consolation to his suffering wife, who would gladly trade away the chance to return to Earth just so she could have her husband back from the evils that ensnare him. The children become confused and estranged, and Will in particular sees his father for what he has become - a liar. Eventually, John is completely controlled by his demon, and the well-being of his family is in jeopardy. Wearing the mask of this demon, he is no longer recognizable to his own son. Only the power of his family's love becomes enough to convince John to free himself from the grip of the drink and return to sobriety.
The lesson of the story is clear: One cannot play with fire. What may seem like a harmless experimentation with vices can quickly lead to our own destruction and that of our loved ones. View the episode again with this interpretation in mind and you will see how well it fits with this metaphor.
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