Gilligan's Island (TV Series) My Fair Gilligan (1965) User Reviews

Ah, to be a Howell...

[kmcelhaney005 · 8/10 · 31 July 2013]

While testing out his new butterfly net, Gilligan loosens a rock from its perch. Meanwhile, Mrs. Howell is trying to take a picture of her husband when the rock starts to careen down towards her. Gilligan manages to pull her out of the way and in gratitude, the Howells decide to adopt Gilligan.

Formally adopted by the Howells, Gilligan moves in with them and starts learning how to be rich. Of course, how the rest of the castaways treat him changes radically and Gilligan suddenly feels left out. Missing his friends and not wanting to be "king", Gilligan goes to the Skipper to get out of being a Howell. Together with the other castaways, the concoct a plan to free Gilligan.

This is a fun episode that gives us some insight into the daily lives of the castaways, yet remains very funny with plenty of great scenes. Of course, any episode that has greed as part of the plot is always welcome, but we also see a little heart as well.

Highlights include Mr. Howell's speech to formally declare Gilligan his son in front of the others, the Skipper realizing the benefits of Gilligan being the son of a billionaire, Gilligan in "billionaire training", a glimpse of the non-Howell castaways telling jokes and singing, Mr. Howell explaining how to use what others want from Gilligan, the dream sequence with Gilligan as a reluctant king, seeing the Skipper and Professor "pass the buck" in coming up with a scheme to the girls and finally seeing the scheme in action, especially when Gilligan hits Mr. Howell with the pie.

All in all, this is a delightful episode with plenty to recommend. Jim Backus is at the top of his game per usual, especially his complete command of the scene after getting hit with the pie. This is a very fun and funny episode for sure.

• It seems Bob Denver himself climbed down that "cliff" at the beginning of the episode.

• As far as themes go, we've seen Gilligan trying to catch butterflies before in "Music Hath Charm". But as for the Howells, this is the third different camera we've seen them use this season.

• Sherwood Schwartz famously said that if there ever was a need to use Gilligan's first name, then "Willy" would be it. Well Sherwood, this was one of those times. Instead, we only hear "Gilligan Thurston Howell IV".

• The Professor is left handed it seems, something at least I didn't realize before.

• There is some evidence to suggest that this episode was shot earlier in the production schedule than when it was finally seen on TV. Gilligan has his duffel bag, yet Ginger supposedly used it to make her famous "SS Minnow" dress. The Skipper reminds Gilligan not to eat pineapples because they give him a rash, yet we saw Gilligan eat LOTS of pineapple in the episode "Physical Fatness". Finally, Gilligan "wins" the SS Minnow in a card game, yet we saw the Minnow totally destroyed in "Goodbye Island".

• Well, it's fortunate that Mr. Howell had a duplicate set of clothes for Gilligan to wear...and in Gilligan's size as well. :) Of course, I could ask where Mrs. Howell got all those lollipops as well.

• The professor seems to have his own hammock instead of the bed that we usually see him in.

• Okay...where did all the liquor come from for the party? Of course, if I was Captain of the Minnow, I'd probably keep some bottles aboard, but not as many as we see in this episode.

• Ginger get some of that coconut cream pie in her hair when Mr. Howell takes it to the face.

Talk about a Jerry Lewis plotline.

[mark.waltz · 8/10 · 14 April 2021]

Season one is coming down to a fortunate end after a lengthy run with a show that puts Bob Denver into a plotline that seems straight out of France's favorite movie comic. With two episodes left, the season has one of its best episodes with this one. Noting that they do not have a son (which would change 15 years later in one of the TV movies), the Howells decide to adopt Gilligan after he saves Lovey's life. But it's obvious that he's very unhappy being a millionaire, and must act obnoxious and spoiled to be disowned.

Having been the Howell's houseboy earlier in the season, he's now in a different predicament, and of course there are going to be some personality changes that happen naturally. The Howells emulate Pygmalion at first as they try to teach him class and manners, but he's the type when presented with Polaner all fruit still asks for the jelly. There's also a very memorable dream sequence where Gilligan dreams that he is a king and only wants to spend time with his friends hunting butterflies.

This is a great episode for Bob Denver who gets to do a Jim Backus impression and is very funny. He quickly realizes though that he's not cut out to be a do nothing, bon vivant and that's where this scheme falls in to make the Howells furious with him. He doesn't like how the other castaways treat him now that he's all of a sudden exchanged his boring red plasma for blue blood, and that's a good lesson to be satisfied with your place in life and that sometimes, untutored mediocrity is far more desirable than being an uppity snob or rich kid that the poor kids don't want to play with.

Gilligan moves on up.

[Ralphkram · 7/10 · 10 October 2017]

Gilligan may be fair, but this episode is above average and hilarious, especially at a pivotal moment near the end. The idea of Gilligan becoming a Howell works better than expected; the pace moves at breakneck speed, and there are fine performances by the cast. Only a weak dream sequence, one of the weakest in the series, and the usual skewed logic keep it from classic status.

In the cold open, Gilligan is back adding to his butterfly collection when he accidentally loosens a boulder with his heel. Mrs. Howell, taking a picture of her husband, is directly in the boulder's path. Gilligan prevents a certain disaster by bravely pushing her out of the way. The Howells are so grateful for his heroics that they decide to make him an official member of the family on the spot. With very little fuss or paperwork, he is adopted, named G. Thurston Howell the IVth, and moved into the Howell's hut.

In a flash, our lead gets his own quarters, an extensive Howell wardrobe, and his copy of the social register. Mr. Howell takes it upon himself to teach Gilligan what it is to be a Howell, and in scenes that are funny but feel rushed for the sake of the plot, he gives his protégé the Eliza Doolittle treatment and turns him into a Howell overnight.

Our lead finds it difficult to adjust to his new social status. He can no longer do anything considered beneath a Howell, like go butterfly hunting with Mary Ann, tar the roof with the men (don't want to get those new duds dirty), or hang the wash with Ginger. His new duties consist of lounging and being waited on hand and foot. Gilligan grows tired of the royal treatment and becomes lonely for his old lifestyle.

His unhappiness leads to that forgettable dream sequence. He dreams he is a petulant boy king who disposes of his subjects because they bore him and won't play with him. The dream slows down the pace, offers few laughs, and ends with Gilligan waking in a clichéd cold sweat.

The episode returns to solid ground in an understated scene where Gilligan shares his unhappiness with his old bunk mate. He wants out of the Howell adoption without hurting anyone's feelings. The castaways solve his dilemma when Ginger comes up with a brilliant plan that is the highlight of the episode.

Our lead follows Ginger's plan at his Howell coming out bash. His disruptive antics and hilariously obnoxious attitude infuriate Mr. Howell and ultimately cause him to nullify the adoption. The billionaire isn't really all that displeased, however, as, in a nice denouement, he once again shows he secretly has a heart of gold.

COCONOTES:

Very good episode for Bob Denver, who displays good range at playing his usual self, his stuffy impression of a Howell son, and the impetuous boy king in the dream sequence. Especially like how he misses his 'little friends' and yearns for his old life back.

An equally strong performance from the other main player, Jim Backus, who is his normally reliable self. He is adept at being blustery and demanding of his son early on, being proud as a peacock over his transformation, and then showing his warm, paternal side at the end.

The castaways accept the adoption way too easily, plus Gilligan's own parents are never mentioned.

Just where are they getting those financial reports? Writer Joanna Lee should have cut the dream sequence so there could have been more time spent on Gilligan's Howell lessons.

The dry martini bit with the Professor and Gilligan is chuckle-worthy.

Gilligan Thurston Howell IV

[kevinolzak · 9/10 · 9 June 2016]

"My Fair Gilligan" is one of the best black and white episodes, in which Gilligan saves Mrs. Howell from being crushed under a falling rock, the childless couple showing their gratitude by adopting 'Gilligan Thurston Howell IV' as their rightful son and heir. A week's worth of training has Gilligan well on his way to wealth and privilege, his favorite institution: "Harvard, you silly goose!" Unfortunately, his new status means that he can no longer work with the other castaways, tarring the hut, hanging up clothes, butterfly hunting, or just singing their cares away. A short dream sequence has Gilligan king, ordering all of his friends to have their heads chopped off, awakening in a cold sweat. Realizing that he was never cut out to be a Howell but wishing to spare their feelings, Gilligan works a special kind of magic on the evening of his coming out party, one outrage after another proving too much for Dad to take, the final insult a pie in the face. Mr. Howell comforts his wife and praises Gilligan as 'not a bad actor,' both disappointed that he didn't want to be a Howell but proud of the fact that the boy is all heart. Heart is what this episode has in spades, and one of the reasons why the show endures, not to mention another fabulous showcase for the incomparable Jim Backus (Mr. Howell's philosophy: money is something you never spend, you just make more of it!).