Gilligan's vanity about his appearance gratefully resurfaces in this above average outing. It's much better and funnier than its punny title would suggest. The premise is straightforward and believable; the pacing brisk; and, even though our lead is front and center, most of the castaways get their moments to sparkle.
Laundry duty has worn out Gilligan. The Skipper sends him to bed, chiding him for not being able to pace himself. He wakes the next morning and is shocked to discover that his hair has turned white. He and the Skip go to the Professor for an explanation, but he's of little help and doesn't think Gilligan's change in hair color is that big of a deal.
On the other hand, the girls faint.
Our lead's confidence is further shaken when he accidentally overhears the Professor telling the Skip he could have a rare disease that causes him to age rapidly. Unlike Meet the Meteor, this time that plot point works successfully. Gilligan goes to the extreme; in a really good series of scenes, he putters around like a senior citizen, talking in an old man's voice, wearing specs, and rocking out in his chair. He gathers his 'children' around him for the reading of his will. The best offering has to be a starched sock for the Skip that stands straight up.
Nothing can snap Gilligan the geezer out of his funk, not even a springtime declaration of love from Mary Ann. Her sizzling smooch only serves to harden his...arteries.
Mrs. Howell and the Professor combine to create a brown hair dye and secretly apply it to his scalp while he sleeps. This plan predictably backfires as the dye causes our lead's hair to fall out. Neither the Professor nor the Skip can talk him down; Mrs. Howell can't look him in the eye without snickering; and the girls faint again.
Yet again we have the trope of Gilligan moving to the other side of the island to live out his remaining days in seclusion in that same old cave. It's followed by the trope of the girls attempting to lure him back, this time with wigs. Meantime, the Skipper takes over laundry duty, experiences the same sudden male pattern baldness Gilligan did, and, embarrassed, joins his little buddy in the cave.
A speech where the Professor actually admits the two baldies do most of the work convinces them to come home, and they are outfitted in two ridiculous-looking Revolutionary War wigs. The scene that follows at the dinner table could be straight out of a Laurel and Hardy film. We're treated to good, old-fashioned corny slapstick as the wigs dance and spin and drown in soup.
A hole in Mr. Howell's trousers causes the Professor to connect the dots between our duo's baldness and the new crude bleach Gilligan has been using for the laundry. Guess they switch to a different brand.
COCONOTES:
It's really difficult to believe Gilligan has the strength to hold up both girls.
Really good reaction shots from Bob Denver as he sees himself in the mirror. Like the little whimper when he notices he's lost his hair.
"I'll have a hard bald egg."
The love scene between Gilligan and Mary Ann would work better without her overly dramatic tone.
Wondering why any of the castaways would even have Revolutionary War wigs.
Nice of Ginger's dress to remain in one piece until Gilligan wraps it in a towel. (Or disappointing depending on your point of view).
Laundry duty has worn out Gilligan. The Skipper sends him to bed, chiding him for not being able to pace himself. He wakes the next morning and is shocked to discover that his hair has turned white. He and the Skip go to the Professor for an explanation, but he's of little help and doesn't think Gilligan's change in hair color is that big of a deal.
On the other hand, the girls faint.
Our lead's confidence is further shaken when he accidentally overhears the Professor telling the Skip he could have a rare disease that causes him to age rapidly. Unlike Meet the Meteor, this time that plot point works successfully. Gilligan goes to the extreme; in a really good series of scenes, he putters around like a senior citizen, talking in an old man's voice, wearing specs, and rocking out in his chair. He gathers his 'children' around him for the reading of his will. The best offering has to be a starched sock for the Skip that stands straight up.
Nothing can snap Gilligan the geezer out of his funk, not even a springtime declaration of love from Mary Ann. Her sizzling smooch only serves to harden his...arteries.
Mrs. Howell and the Professor combine to create a brown hair dye and secretly apply it to his scalp while he sleeps. This plan predictably backfires as the dye causes our lead's hair to fall out. Neither the Professor nor the Skip can talk him down; Mrs. Howell can't look him in the eye without snickering; and the girls faint again.
Yet again we have the trope of Gilligan moving to the other side of the island to live out his remaining days in seclusion in that same old cave. It's followed by the trope of the girls attempting to lure him back, this time with wigs. Meantime, the Skipper takes over laundry duty, experiences the same sudden male pattern baldness Gilligan did, and, embarrassed, joins his little buddy in the cave.
A speech where the Professor actually admits the two baldies do most of the work convinces them to come home, and they are outfitted in two ridiculous-looking Revolutionary War wigs. The scene that follows at the dinner table could be straight out of a Laurel and Hardy film. We're treated to good, old-fashioned corny slapstick as the wigs dance and spin and drown in soup.
A hole in Mr. Howell's trousers causes the Professor to connect the dots between our duo's baldness and the new crude bleach Gilligan has been using for the laundry. Guess they switch to a different brand.
COCONOTES:
It's really difficult to believe Gilligan has the strength to hold up both girls.
Really good reaction shots from Bob Denver as he sees himself in the mirror. Like the little whimper when he notices he's lost his hair.
"I'll have a hard bald egg."
The love scene between Gilligan and Mary Ann would work better without her overly dramatic tone.
Wondering why any of the castaways would even have Revolutionary War wigs.
Nice of Ginger's dress to remain in one piece until Gilligan wraps it in a towel. (Or disappointing depending on your point of view).
