Gilligan's Island (TV Series) Seer Gilligan (1966) User Reviews

If only they could read my mind...

[kmcelhaney005 · 7/10 · 18 April 2014]

Certainly one of the more memorable episodes of Gilligan's Island, we begin with Gilligan building a larger birdhouse when we discover he can read the Skipper's mind. The secret it seems comes from Gilligan eating seeds from an unusual bush. Pretty soon, all the castaways are wanting their own seeds and trouble breaks out.

Highlights include the Skipper trying to read Gilligan's mind, Gilligan reading Mr. Howell's mind and Jim Backus going into full comic mode, especially when he and Mrs. Howell pace the floor in their hut, Gilligan telling Ginger the "psychiatrist" how his parents used to beat him...in a manner of speaking, the castaways plotting to find the bush that produces the seeds and practically running over Gilligan when he produces them, the castaways starting to tear each other apart after gaining the ability to read minds, the Skipper informing Ginger that indeed he does know what she thinks and Gilligan being complimented by the other male castaways for burning the bush with the seeds.

Overall, this is actually a pretty good episode that gives all the castaways something to do or "think" for once. While the idea of mind-reading seeds is way out there, it's actually handled in a pretty good way.

Tidbits & Trivia

• We actually get to see two huts at once early on in this episode, something that is rather rare.

• Gee, even after we see the Professor convinced that Gilligan can read minds, we see him later arguing with the Skipper that he can't...so what happened?

• Funny, the Skipper is now in the top hammock, something we rarely see. But for some reason they switch back at the end of the episode.

• The Professor's assertion that the fights occurring between the castaways are the first real ones they have had since being on the island is simply not true, although the intensity of the arguing may be greater.

• With the bush already uprooted, wouldn't it be better to just toss it into the ocean? Besides, how could such a little bush produce so many seeds in the first place?

Gilligan minds his business.

[Ralphkram · 7/10 · 22 March 2018]

Sure, the premise may be wild and fantastic, but this episode is solid, more character-driven than usual, and done surprisingly low-key. Even though Gilligan is in the central role, this is still a good ensemble piece where the other castaways get their own laughs in. The humor is largely free of the usual slapstick silliness and is very effective and even understated. Outside of a few hiccups, this entry is one of the better episodes of the second season.

While working on his birdhouse, Gilligan's opening conversation with the Skipper takes a strange turn when he answers the Skipper's questions before he has asked them. They leap to the logical conclusion that Gilligan can read minds. The pair have an amusing scene where the Skip assumes different positions to think, but his little buddy is still able to read his thoughts wherever he is. Convinced Gilligan has the power, the Skip tries him out on the skeptical Professor. Our lead is able to extract his complex formulas with ease.

Starved for entertainment, the castaways pass Gilligan around like a magic eight ball. He successfully reads everyone's thoughts. Even the formidable Howell mind is susceptible.

Predictably, the others-the Howells in particular-want to cash in on Gilligan's unusual ability. Mr. Howell sees him as a potential gold mine and sets out how to find our lead's secret. Humorously, he learns it's not due to his huge appetite or strange sleeping habits or even the size of his pointy little head. Less interesting is Gilligan's couch trip with the glamorous Ginger, who is not at all convincing playing a psychiatrist. Their session contains weak gags and awkward banter, but she does accidently discover that the source of her patient's power are sunflower seeds.

Once the castaways learn there is a whole bush of seeds in the jungle, they want to lay their hands on it the same feverish way they did the gold in The Big Gold Strike. The usual suspects visit him during the night to find out its location. Mr. Howell fails in his usual chicanery and Gilligan dozes through Ginger's seduction attempt.

Gilligan is too good-hearted, however, to not share his find. In no time the others are at each other's throats in a way that hasn't been seen since the arguments of the earliest episodes. The group argument has its fun moments, but it also has a layer of seriousness underneath the jokey put downs. The Professor and the Skip still haven't settled their squabble over who is the island's leader, and Mr. Howell dredges up the Skip's responsibility for the shipwreck. Everyone is given an out, unfortunately, as the effect of the seeds is only temporary, and they need to recharge their minds with another batch.

Our lead thwarts their plans when he goes all Moses over the bush. His action leads to an unexpectedly warm, as close-to-an-adult moment with the other men as the series would have. It's a resolution no one minds.

COCONOTES:

Like Bob Denver's puzzled look when he recites the Professor's formulas.

Jim Backus' expression when he thinks is worth the price of admission.

Wondering where Ginger got those thick glasses? Did she only bring them along for psychiatric sessions?

Gilligan's checkers bit doesn't hold up well and isn't even as good as Richard Nixon's bit.

The bush that produces mind-reading sunflower seeds is a shade more credible than the fact the Professor has a book on the subject.

I know what you're thinking

[kevinolzak · 10/10 · 18 June 2016]

"Seer Gilligan" opens with the Skipper realizing that Gilligan can read his mind, answering his questions before he can ask them. The Professor naturally scoffs at the idea until Gilligan succeeds in reading his mind, while Ginger uncovers his secret during a psychiatric examination, simply by eating what appear to be ordinary sunflower seeds. The Professor reads up on the subject and learns that the effect is only temporary, and certain individuals try to impress Gilligan to share his secret with them. The magnanimous Gilligan gathers seeds for everybody, but soon the castaways are at each other's throats, now unable to hide their innermost thoughts. The resolution is both heartwarming and logical, capping a fascinating idea well handled.

WHAT THINK YOU, YA THINK?

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 23 July 2023]

Leslie Goodwins, born in London, directed this very funny and clever episode, and he was the man. Goodwins at the time was one of the oldest directors in Hollywood.

He handled many B dramas, mysteries and lots of comedies, going back to the 1930s.

This is another "family" story, with the cast only, no guest stars, and the password is sunflower seeds.

It seems anyone who eats the seeds can read minds! Of course, Gilligan is the "everything happens to me" man, who is able to read the skipper's mind, answering a bunch of questions... before they are asked???

Caution: the mind reading schtick is temporary, but does that stop everyone from fighting? They all know what each other is thinking! This is hilarious stuff, and its been done before in other comedies, but the gang makes the most of the mess they're in, tossing off a barrage of insulting one liners and lots of frowns.

The inside joke --if you caught it -- Mr. Howell offers money to someone, usually Gilligan to do this or that. The big question is how do they get paid? Howell, despite being fabulously wealthy, only has so much money on him. And the nearest bank to cash a check is in Hawaii???? Expensive food for thought.

Another classic tale from SEASON 2 EPISODE 19 restored dvd box set.