The Lost in Space season 2 finale ends with the revelation that Judy Robinson may have located her biological father, a man who has been presumed dead for several years. En route to Alpha Centauri, the 19-year-old Judy captains a vessel full of children, but then discovers that she’s been led directly to the long-lost Fortuna. Here’s what happened to Grant Kelly, Judy’s birth father, and what his story means for Lost in Space season 3.
Lost in Space season 2 shows Judy’s evolution into a true leader. Portrayed by Taylor Russell (Escape Room), she acts quickly during a robot invasion and strategizes to have 97 children transported to Alpha Centauri via Jupiter 2. Judy’s adopted parents, Maureen and John, initially question her calculations, while brother Will and sister Penny similarly express concerns. Logic suggests that a detected radio signature must be associated with Alpha Centauri, and the Resolute children evacuation initially goes as planned. Judy makes an emotional speech to her young peers in the Lost in Space season 2 finale, utilizing all the life skills that she learned from John. But a literal blast from the past changes everything when the missing Fortuna is spotted and identified by Judy as her biological father’s missing ship.
Grant Kelly was briefly referenced in the Lost in Space season 2 episode “Run”. A flashback sequence shows young Judy speaking to her classmates about her favorite heroes. Maureen and John are in attendance, yet their daughter initially discusses her biological father, a Detroit native who earned a scholarship to MIT and became one of the first people to work on the Alpha Centauri program. He’s briefly referenced mid-way through the Lost in the Space season 2 finale when Judy notices a memorial plaque bearing his name, and wonders if the Robinsons have plaques at their Alpha Centauri colony (they’ve been officially missing for one full year). Grant Kelly, along with the rest of the Fortuna crew, were presumed dead after the ship went missing when Judy was a kid.
When Judy spots Grant Kelly’s memorial plaque, she’s with her adopted father John. In “Run”, Judy saves John’s life after a drill site accident. The episode begins with Judy paying homage to her biological father in a flashback sequence, but the scene ends with her identifying John - a Navy Seal - as her other hero. “Run” then jumps back and forth in time, as Judy reflects about lessons learned from John while analyzing the most efficient way to reach his present location. Judy finds inner strength by remembering John’s three rules about living in the wild: never leave food unattended, always remember fire protocols (humans are often the cause), and expect the unexpected. Judy assesses her options and moves forward. The Lost in Space season 2 finale culminates with Judy fully embracing John’s advice, but she’s then confronted with the shocking news that her real father may be alive.
So, what does this mean for Lost in Space season 3? John has now accepted that Judy is fully capable of taking care of herself, and that he did everything he could to prepare her for the future. Assuming that Judy does locate and meet her biological father, she’ll probably be mindful of John’s three rules, especially that she should expect the unexpected. In terms of narrative conflict, it seems likely that John will fade to the foreground while Judy builds a relationship - good or bad - with Grant. She’s now responsible for a ship full of children, and will naturally have to question Grant Kelly’s motivations in Lost in Space season 3 on Netflix.
More: Lost in Space Season 2 Ending Explained: Where Are The Robinsons Now?
