In order to avoid having to help with the chores, Smith fakes sick, then lies down and takes a nap. He is woken by a large, hairy beast. He cries out, and Penny, Will and the Robot come running to see what the matter is.
They are all greeted by a man in a top-hat who introduced himself as Marvello and tells them the beast was The Cosmic Monster, a part of his intergalactic circus. Smith immediately starts schmoozing Marvello in the hopes of joining up with them and being taken back to Earth. Marvello is sad to learn the Robinsons are the only people on the planet, but offers to put on a show for them in exchange for supper. Smith takes the Robot away with him to prepare for his audition; a song and dance act, which is terrible.
The Robinsons go to the circus show and have a lot of fun. One act calls for audience participation, and Will volunteers. Afterwards, Marvello suspects Will might have telekenetic powers and determines to make him part of their entourage; whether he likes it or not!
Although Will enjoys materializing things with Fenestra, he is unwilling to leave his family. Smith is eager to go, but Marvello is unimpressed with his audition and says no. He does, however, offer to take Smith along if he can convince Will to join up. Smith agrees and comes up with a way to trick Will into doing as Marvello wants.
Smith sabatoges the food purification machine and then tells Will there isn’t going to be enough food to go around. He convinces the poor boy that the Robinsons would stand a better chance of survival without them. Will falls for the ruse and agrees to join the circus, sneaking off in secret with Smith.
The Robinsons find out and race to stop Marvello from taking Will. Marvello tries to sic the Cosmic Monster on John, but Will uses his telekenetic powers to aid his father and disaster is avoided. Marvello realizes Will would never truly want to be a part of the show and gives up.
Will rejoins his family, the circus leaves, and Smith is punished by having to endure more of the Robot’s singing.
Background Information
- James Westerfield was not only an accomplished stage actor but also a set designer, producer, and director. He won two New York Drama Critics Awards for acting.
- Although he was a ‘reluctant stowaway,’ Smith has somehow brought along his vaudville costume, not to mention a whole suitcase of belongings.
- Although the Robot is aware of Smith’s plans and disapproves, he doesn’t bother to inform the rest of the family until it’s almost too late.
- When Will visits Marvello to attempt the materialization trick for the second time, I can’t help but notice that he has a rather painful looking sore on his lower lip. Poor little guy!
- Although he was a ‘reluctant stowaway,’ Smith has somehow brought along his vaudville costume, not to mention a whole suitcase of belongings.
- Although the Robot is aware of Smith’s plans and disapproves, he doesn’t bother to inform the rest of the family until it’s almost too late.
- When Will visits Marvello to attempt the materialization trick for the second time, I can’t help but notice that he has a rather painful looking sore on his lower lip. Poor little guy!
- Smith continues to throw insults at the Robot. Some in this episode are: Chattering Magpie, Bumbling Booby, Cackling Cacophony, Cackling Clod, Traitorous Tin Plate, Tarnished Trumpet, Sanctimonious Scatterbrain.
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