The Jetsons was a highly successful cartoon released in the 1960s, but set in a futuristic world. Piggybacking on the success of The Flintstonesthe attraction went the opposite way at the time, but not so much in relation to family conflicts.
But the animation had several problems, and some controversies that viewers only realized recently when they rewatched the attraction, one of them has to do with episodes that advertised the American way of lifeand about the sovereignty of the United States.
An episode that manipulates intellectual property
The Jetson family in The Jetsons (Playback)
Episode seven of season one explores the relationship between innovation and capitalism, but offers a bleak view of each man’s connection to the wider economy.
George is caught between an argument between Mr. Spacely and Mr. Cogswell, thanks to a tragic accident.Once Cogswell invents a flight suit, George is faced with a dry cleaning error.
An experiment by Elroy convinces George that he invented the suit with the ability to fly.After George tries to hand over Cogswell’s work first as his children, and then as his own, the whole situation comes crashing down and he doesn’t get his long-awaited vice presidency.
Perhaps this episode is trying to make the case that there are no shortcuts to success, but that message is impossible to see through George’s whining and low morals.
No story that doesn’t congratulate white American pop futurism
The Jetson family in The Jetsons (Playback)
The most striking elements of the cartoon are caricature: the colors, shapes, art and architecture of the future. A good deal of energy is also devoted to exploring the industrialization and automation of the processes of the future.
The ease and expected comfort of that future are promoted in each episode. In that sense, the series is quite optimistic, especially about the American industrial complex and the growth of the middle class.
The depressing part is the lack of optimism for humanity in every other respect. The family dynamics and philosophical/ethical tensions are always written in the same way as in other shows, almost deliberately as if to say that in the future all our internal problems will remain the same, but everything external will be smoother and brighter.
An episode that accidentally glorifies Las Vegas
Jane and George in The Jetsons (Playback)
In Las VenusGeorge and Jane leave the kids with their grandparents and take a second honeymoon to relax and unwind.
An opportunity to present a mature version of adult life is squandered here, portrayed more as a pursuit of glamor and a futile escape from the humdrum of everyday life.
George’s work once again interferes with his life, taking up all his time so he can’t even enjoy the holidays.
Recurring distorted views of the economy and work in the future
Scene from The Jetsons (Playback)
While other productions about the future try to show a more equitable wealth and prosperous humanity, The Jetsons show a more robust middle class and a much more unattainable upper class.
Much like Homer Simpson’s character, George Jetson, reflecting the economy in general, goes every day to a job he hates, seemingly does mindless work, not connected to any real production or reality, and hates his boss.
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Graduated in Administration and Psychology, and also took a drawing course. Fan of games, cartoons, series and movies.
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