It's a given that a series about seven castaways stranded on a desert island requires suspension of disbelief. Some episodes of GI require more than others. A viewer has to do a lot of suspending in Little Island, Big Gun, one of the more disappointing episodes of the season, given to too much slapstick silliness, a meandering plot, and the total waste of a good guest star.
Gangster Jackson Farrell lands on the island with a bagful of cash he knocked over from the Monarch bank. His plan is to hide out until he gets word from his partner their boat has been searched by the Coast Guard, then return with the loot. This plan hits an immediate snag when he bumps into Gilligan while the sailor is shooting down dates with a bow and arrow and nails the bag of cash. In easily his best and funniest scene, Farrell convinces our lead he is a doctor and the cash represents donations to build his hospital. Unfortunately, from this point on, Little Island has little humor.
He is introduced to the other castaways, who immediately accept him at face value and don't bother to delve into his skills or background. Farrell--savvy enough to find an uncharted island-forgets to use an alias, a slip that allows Gilligan to connect the dots while listening about the robbery, and we stumble into the plot.
The episode bogs down as the gangster is forced to hold him and the others captive and they think of unimaginative ways to steal his revolver. Ginger has one of her more forgettable seduction attempts, and Gilligan's plan to net him takes too long to develop and has a weak payoff.
The plot then turns loopy when the Indigo Boys, a rival gang of Farrell's, track him down. Farrell's solution is to hold Mary Ann at gunpoint and dress the other castaways in native headdress to fool them. Outside of a sexy jiggle by Ginger, the scene is the most cringe-worthy since Gilligan and the Skip were trees in the pilot.
Farrell's partner returns to get the episode back on solid ground. The gangsters' getaway is disrupted by our lead in a nice 'anchors away' moment to close out this uneven entry.
COCONOTES
Larry Storch does what he can with the mediocre material, but writers Roland McClane and Dick Conway fail to take advantage of his manic side and ability to do impressions.
"You see, I'm a doctor."
Gilligan mentions the revolver from VooDoo Something to Me.
We're back in the community hut. Where are the sailor's hammocks?
Major plot hole: Farrell finds it necessary to tie up the men at night, but he allows them to walk around freely in the daytime.
More suspending of disbelief: Farrell manages to find native garb and makeup for six people in the drop of a hat. Did he bring his own wardrobe department?
Gangster Jackson Farrell lands on the island with a bagful of cash he knocked over from the Monarch bank. His plan is to hide out until he gets word from his partner their boat has been searched by the Coast Guard, then return with the loot. This plan hits an immediate snag when he bumps into Gilligan while the sailor is shooting down dates with a bow and arrow and nails the bag of cash. In easily his best and funniest scene, Farrell convinces our lead he is a doctor and the cash represents donations to build his hospital. Unfortunately, from this point on, Little Island has little humor.
He is introduced to the other castaways, who immediately accept him at face value and don't bother to delve into his skills or background. Farrell--savvy enough to find an uncharted island-forgets to use an alias, a slip that allows Gilligan to connect the dots while listening about the robbery, and we stumble into the plot.
The episode bogs down as the gangster is forced to hold him and the others captive and they think of unimaginative ways to steal his revolver. Ginger has one of her more forgettable seduction attempts, and Gilligan's plan to net him takes too long to develop and has a weak payoff.
The plot then turns loopy when the Indigo Boys, a rival gang of Farrell's, track him down. Farrell's solution is to hold Mary Ann at gunpoint and dress the other castaways in native headdress to fool them. Outside of a sexy jiggle by Ginger, the scene is the most cringe-worthy since Gilligan and the Skip were trees in the pilot.
Farrell's partner returns to get the episode back on solid ground. The gangsters' getaway is disrupted by our lead in a nice 'anchors away' moment to close out this uneven entry.
COCONOTES
Larry Storch does what he can with the mediocre material, but writers Roland McClane and Dick Conway fail to take advantage of his manic side and ability to do impressions.
"You see, I'm a doctor."
Gilligan mentions the revolver from VooDoo Something to Me.
We're back in the community hut. Where are the sailor's hammocks?
Major plot hole: Farrell finds it necessary to tie up the men at night, but he allows them to walk around freely in the daytime.
More suspending of disbelief: Farrell manages to find native garb and makeup for six people in the drop of a hat. Did he bring his own wardrobe department?