The Jetsons Season 1, Episode 5
"The Coming of Astro"
Original Airdate: Oct. 21, 1962
Writer: Tony Benedict
Directors: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera
Cast: George O'Hanlon, Penny Singleton, Daws Butler, Janet Waldo, Don Messick, Jean Vander Pyl, Mel Blanc
There is no greater gift to mankind than the dog – a fiercely loyal, four-legged friend who stands by come hell or high water and asks for nothing in return but the occasional treat or pat on the head. In fact, so strong is the bond between humans and their canine companions that it has long since transcended real life to become a permanent fixture within the realm of popular culture.
From Scooby-Doo to Dino, Eddie to Einstein, the cultural zeitgeist is absolutely littered with memorable pups, each proving that the partnership between man and mutt is second to none even in the make-believe worlds of mass media. They say nothing in life is certain but death and taxes; however, I’d argue that the relationship between a person and their dog be added to that list — even if, in the case of George Jetson, it happens to be a reluctant one...
Originally airing on October 21st, 1962, “The Coming of Astro” introduced audiences to one of the most adored anthropomorphic animals in animation history. When Elroy (Daws Butler) brings a stray dog home from school, Jane (Penny Singleton) and the kids begin formulating a plan to convince George (George O’Hanlon) that Astro (Don Messick) would make a fine addition to the family.
Not long after, George receives a call at work from Jane, Judy (Janet Waldo), and Elroy, all of whom are eager to sway him into saying yes to a family dog. George, however, is having none of it. Feeling that an apartment is no place for a dog – even one that can talk and perform tricks – he shuts the discussion down almost instantly, much to the disappointment of his family. Still, George knows how these things go. If he doesn’t come home with a dog of some kind, he’s bound to end up in the doghouse himself. So, in true Jetsons fashion, he settles on what he believes to be the perfect compromise.
Enter ’Lectronimo: the apartment-approved electronic dog. No feeding, no fuss, and powered by good old-fashioned nuclear energy. Not only can ’Lectronimo perform tricks with mechanical precision, but he also doubles as a high-end security system, which is an especially attractive feature given reports of a cat burglar prowling around Orbit City. To George, this is a win-win scenario.
Meanwhile, back at home, Jane and the kids initiate Operation “Keep Astro,” fully convinced that if George would just give the real dog a chance, he’d come around. They stash Astro out of sight and welcome George home with open arms, only to be surprised when he proudly introduces his shiny new robotic companion. Unfortunately for Astro, ’Lectronimo’s sensors quickly pick up the scent of a real dog, leading him straight to the kitchen and exposing the family’s secret. George is less than thrilled.
Disappointed that George refuses to even consider Astro as a viable option, Jane and the kids convince him to settle the matter with a contest. The winner gets to stay. Confident that ’Lectronimo is a lock, George agrees. The two “dogs” are tested on everything from standard tricks to scent tracking, and – unsurprisingly – Astro is no match for his robotic counterpart. ’Lectronimo sweeps the competition with ease. George is vindicated, but the rest of the family is crushed as he plans to send Astro away the following morning.
That night, however, things take a turn. The notorious cat burglar breaks into the Jetsons’ apartment, assuming it to be a dog-free zone ripe for the picking. ’Lectronimo springs into action immediately, but when the burglar throws his mask at George in a desperate attempt to escape, the robotic dog becomes confused and turns his sights on his master. What follows is pure comedic chaos, capped off with George being mistaken for the burglar by the police.
Amid the confusion, Astro wakes up and, in a moment of panic, accidentally ends up knocking out the real cat burglar while trying to hide. The threat is neutralized, order is restored, and George is left with no choice but to acknowledge what his family knew all along.
In addition to delivering some truly funny one-liners and introducing one of animation’s most beloved animal companions, “The Coming of Astro” stands as proof that there truly is no finer companion than the family dog. It’s a goofy, heartfelt episode that once again does an excellent job of feeding a classic sitcom formula through a futuristic lens while reinforcing the idea that even in a world filled with supercomputers, flying cars, and apartment-approved nuclear pets, there will never be a replacement for our furry, four-legged friends.
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