Lloyd in Space aired on ABC-TV's "Disney's One Saturday Morning" block from 2001-2004. The series was created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere, the same duo behind Recess and Rugrats. The series focused on the titular character Lloyd Nebulon (Courtland Mead from The Shining miniseries) and his life at the Intrepidville Space Station. The series was popular during its initial run and would continue to air reruns on Toon Disney until 2006.
While the series had tropes and cliches akin to a Saturday morning cartoon it managed to stand out from other programs. The characters were fun and three dimensional and the series addressed controversial subject matter such as religion, puberty, divorce, single parenting, and gender identity.
10 Love Beam Number 9
Lloyd has always had a crush on mean girl Brittany (Anndi McAfee from Hey Arnold) but she has never given him the time of day. However, when Douglas' (Pamela Hayden from The Simpsons) latest invention zaps Brittany and she falls in love with him, everything seems to be lining up... until it does not.
While the storyline has been done to death, the episode's conclusion is where it brings everything together. The flashbacks and Brittany revealing her true feelings for Lloyd was sentimental and convinced the viewer she really did/could fall for him.
9 Lloyd Changes His Mind
The episode can be best described as Lloyd in Space ala Freaky Friday. Lloyd and Francine (Nicolette Little from A Charlie Brown Valentine) swap minds following a run-in with a mind scrambler. As expected, they experience some benefits but more or less struggle in their siblings' respective places.
Mead and Little's performances as the other siblings were in-character and decently executed. In addition, some genuinely hilarious moments emanated from Lloyd and Francine's interactions with others whilst switched.
8 Nerd from Beyond the Stars
Lloyd and his friends welcome the new kid Larvel (Billy West from Futurama) but soon discover some "interesting" things about their new friend. Things that raise their social standing in school and get them some perks.
West makes for a great guest star as his conscious vocal performance captured the different nuances of Larvel's metamorphosis. Meanwhile, the episode ended on a sweet note as Lloyd and Larvel made up whilst Larvel reflected on their time together and his mistakes.
7 Halloween Scary Fun Action Plan
The first Halloween special of the series. Lloyd and his pals are forced to take Francine and her friends trick or treating. They take them to a haunted house but find themselves trapped in the future. Nightmare after nightmare proceeds and the gang is struggling to survive.
Viewers have commented that this episode genuinely scared them as kids. Even today it is still unsettling and creepy. The pinnacle highlight though was the big reveal at the end. It was unexpected and incredibly dark.
6 Science Project
Procrastinator Lloyd finds himself in trouble when he does not have a science project for the science fair. However, Douglas suggests he grow mold. After discovering the mold thrives on junk food Lloyd begins overfeeding it to the point it gains consciousness and he treats it as a pet. He even renames it Moldy (Frank Welker from Scooby-Doo).
The emotional center of this episode was the bond Lloyd and Moldy shared. He was protective of the specimen and vice versa. The ending was teary-eyed as Lloyd reluctantly said goodbye to Moldy as it joined his kind.
5 Cheerly Therrlap
Everyone besides Lloyd is enjoying the festivities of Droimatz (a futuristic version of Christmas) in school. When questioned he explains that he and his family do not observe the holiday and instead celebrate Theerlap (a holiday he knows nothing about). He is then assigned to hold an assembly about it much to his chagrin.
While religion can be a touchy subject, the writers of Lloyd in Space tastefully and introspectively explored the ins and outs of traditions and the alienation that can come with those who worship obscure holidays and beliefs.
4 Daydream Transceiver
Having just turned 13, Lloyd realizes puberty can not only be inconvenient but also embarrassing. While in class, his daydreams project themselves out of his antenna causing his peers to mock him. As explained by his mother Nora (April Winchell from Goof Troop), it is a normal occurrence that happens to males in their species. Lloyd, however, couldn't care less but just wants it to stop.
The episode effectively captured a painstaking, but real occurrence in many teens' lives. Followed by confusion and humiliation that afflicts many.
3 The Big 1-3
In the first episode of the series, Lloyd turns 13. This life passage convinces Lloyd he needs to act more mature. However, his bubble is soon burst when his teacher Mrs. Bolt (Tress MacNeillie from Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers) makes him write an essay about "being a man". This sends Lloyd on a journey throughout Intrepidville to find the answer.
"The Big 1-3" is a decent first episode as it lays out the characters and setting of the series. However, it comes off as organic and does not try to overload the viewers with exposition. Lloyd's conclusion to the essay prompt was also poignant and reflective of the lessons he learned that day.
2 Double Date
Lloyd is introduced to the new girl Cindy (Tara Strong from DC Super Hero Girls) and asks her out to an important school dance. Unfortunately, it turns out she has an extra head (Mayim Bialik from The Big Bang Theory) who is crude and obnoxious. He is then indecisive about whether to follow through or not go.
While the resolution seemed a bit rushed its message of everyone being "two-faced" was resonating. As no one is perfect and has their vices.
1 Neither Boy Nor Girl
Zoit (Pamela Adlon from Better Things) is the new kid who turns out to not identify as one gender. A shock to their peers (including Lloyd and his friends), Zoit explains on their 13th birthday that they decide whether to be a boy or girl. With their birthday coming soon, Lloyd and Brittany face-off with their respective friends on who can convince Zoit.
The episode has since been praised for its messages on transgender and gender issues. Some viewers related to Zoit being infuriated by everyone's obsession with their gender. Arguing that boy or girl, they will still be the same person following their birthday. Both groups also realize that not one specific thing makes someone more masculine or feminine.
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