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.
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.