West has revealed to Penny who Smith isn’t, and Judy is is trying to cheer up Will, who is missing his friend.

The drama cranks up a gear as multiple storylines each encounter significant jeopardy. The John and Maureen drama involves the estranged couple getting stuck in the mud (molten tar actually) and requires them to MacGyver a solution. As part of their patented ‘We only really talk to one another when we’re going to die’ therapy sessions, the two share some home truths in the face of death, but it’s all worth it for a hilarious final line.

Even more significant is the moral quandary that Penny, West and Victor face when Evan becomes trapped under the fuel trailer. Move him and all the precious liquid in the compressed container will pour out; do nothing and he’ll die. Victor’s pragmatic choice is in keeping with his previous behaviour, but Penny feels that as a doctor she needs to try to save her patient, learning some grim life lessons along the way.

Talking of doctors, Smith makes her way to Robot’s pile of broken limbs and reassembles him. She knows that it’s only a matter of time before her deceit is uncovered (her real name is June Harris – surely a combination of June Lockhart and Jonathan Harris?) and wants Robot to protect her in the way that he was Will’s guard dog. And just when Victor reached an all-time low in our affections, he decides it’s time to leave the planet… without the other colonists.

Verdict: Peril, high drama, ethics and deceit all play a significant role is this exciting episode that tees things up nicely for some inevitable confrontations. 8/10

Nick Joy