I am rather torn about this one. So much is so wrong, and so much are unique "behind the scenes" to Fantasy Island (the fictitious locale and its workings, not the TV show!) that it's hard for me to decide how I liked it.
For starters, pretty much all of the players are uncharismatic and play characters that are very hard to relate to, let alone to like. Martin Milner is once again a bore, in his 2nd F. I. episode that I've seen him in, tho he has more to do in this one. Still, he is annoying and that worked much better for him when he used to play an annoying, cantankerous cop. (I never knew this guy, but it's hard to believe he didn't play himself and what a miserable disposition he acted in EVERY single show I've ever seen him in! It's like dude! Smile once in a while, lighten up!!)
Connie Stevens is very hard to like here. She's going to marry this guy (Milner) why? For security? And yet she strings him along to a fantasy that involves her playing tonsil hockey and, possibly, sleeping with and taking off with her former lover. What kind of a weakling is he? And who paid Roarke the fifty K, him?
The "former lover" isn't much to sneeze at, and leaves a lot to be desired, personality wise. What kind of fantasy is this, anyway?! Mid show, you want your money back, for the episode or the DVD or something! But, here's the thing: at the end, it reveals how Roarke does a fantasy... at least, this one. And that's pretty fascinating in itself. But also, that ending leave a lot to be desired: it showcases Roarke as (yes, unfortuantely cos I like this dude!) a liar and a deceiver, for he conspired to deceive Connie Stevens' character. But hey, fans get to see the inner working of Fantasy Island for the very first time. You see my 1st world "dilemma here that turns me into a dumb fan" ? Torn!
The other fantasy was pretty cheesy. The tall guy was evidently no athlete with his 'dad bod" and Sonny Bono is always... Sonny Bono. But why does he have to be in love with a gorgeous woman (Jennilee Harison, she of the future Dallas) and why would she even give him the time of day? His character is played as homely, he even tells Tattoo that he's a foot shorter, he's annoying, he has no personality and she could get any man she wanted. Just another fantasy to make unsuccessful male viewers happy, for this has 0 basis in reality (unless, of course, he were loaded, which this character isn't!)
For the rest, it's Julie's first appearance, and then we get to see the platform Tattoo will climb from then on, to be on the same level as Roarke, which he gifted to him. (But still: no drink for him to toast the guests by! Why? Couldn't they serve him a mini guava and mango juice drink?!) Since Julie appeared but didn't linger, one has to guess this was the prods trying to appease Villechaise so he wouldn't leave the show. So it demeans Roarke, making him look like a cheapskate, like no doubt the producers were, since they refused Herve's salary increases he demanded. I mean, after all this time, you only give Tattoo a silly platform to stand on!? On the other hand, that's quite a few firsts we have here: first time Julie appears; first time Tattoo gets to climb on his little mound to greet guests, and first time a fantasy's inner workings are revealed at the end. Not bad? Not bad.
It's a bittersweet episode. A lot of interesting stuff to make hardcore fans very happy (of which I am not, since I can critique this show and admit its many flaws) in a very mediocre episode.
Highlights of the show: some really really cool clothes stood out for me. Johnny Day is wearing an interesting white shirt with tone on tone embroidery at front (some sort of sun? Can't see it); later he wears a red safarish shirt with a cute mini pocket on his sleeve. (This would look cool in neutral colors, but that pizza sauce red is garish!) The tall basketball player wears a very nice apricot polo shirt when he departs, a rare color which is seldom seen worn anywhere by anyone (and weirdly confused with the awful peach color, which it doesn't resemble in the least!)
Connie Steven looks gorgeous in a burgundy dress, as well as a pink scarf and outfit with a long white cotton duster with pink flowers stenciled on it; and she holds a hat in a metallic shade of gorgeous dark teal blue, at the end. Sonny Bono wears an interesting bronze shirt. Enough for me to work with and recreate a "futuristic retro" collection for men and women here. Otherwise, this episode wasn't the Casablanca of Fantasy Island at all. So, I have no idea what I'm going to rate it. Oh, boy! A confusing episode that gives a lot of firsts to show's fans, but a mediocre episode with boring characters yet.. it features some cool clothes! How's about a six out of 10? There ya go!
