Gilligan’s Island: The Complete Second Season (DVD)
Gilligan’s Island season 2 is the second season of the classic television series, “Gilligan’s Island.” Like the other two seasons, it contains some of the funniest television ever filmed. Some of the gems include the comedy team of the Skipper and his “little buddy” Gilligan. Portrayed by Alan Hale Jr. and Bob Denver. One of the great TV comedy teams, in my opinion.
Review
Thirty years after having seen these episodes for the first time, I still remember vividly some of them, such as:
- the Skipper developing an allergy to his “little buddy” (leading to much slapstick)
- the interaction between Mr. and Mrs. Howell when they find out (mistakenly) that their marriage was invalid. How the two individuals react very differently to the news. And, how Mr. Howell has to “woo” Mrs. Howell all over again.
One of the things that most stick out is the series’ ability to move from slapstick comedy to drama and pathos. When one of the castaways is a murder suspect. And the suspicion starts to tear the small community apart. Or with Gilligan bitten by a supposedly deadly insect, and he expects to die within 24 hours. In that particular episode, the ending is hilarious – I smile as I’m writing this …. Instead, the insect dies, 24 hours after having bit Gilligan.
Caveats?
Are there any caveats to the 3-disk DVD? No – the series is now in color, nicely restored. Extras on the DVD include season introduction by Russell “The Professor” Johnson and series producer and writer Sherwood Schwartz, a commentary by Sherwood Schwartz on his favorite episode “The Little Dictator” (episode 3, guest-starring Vito Scotti, the excellent character actor who also played the Mad Scientist in “The Friendly Physician” and the Japanese soldier in the previous season).
Any reason for not buying the DVD? Only if you plan to get all three seasons – you can order the complete Gilligan’s Island series instead of season by season, and save a few dollars. Feel free to look at reviews of Gilligan’s Island Season 1 and Gilligan’s Island Season 3 as well.
Episode Synopsis of Gilligan’s Island, Season 2 DVD
Gilligan’s Mother-in-Law:
A native family from another island seeks a mate for their daughter. The mother, Henny Backus, is Jim Backus’s real-life wife.
Beauty Is As Beauty Does:
Gilligan is the judge of who will be “Ms. Castaway” in a not-so-friendly beauty contest among the three women.
The Little Dictator:
The exiled president from a revolution-torn country comes to the island. Guest-starring the versatile Vito Scotti – this is series creator and executive producer Sherwood Schwartz’ favorite episode
Smile, You’re on Mars Camera:
A camera from a NASA satellite lands on the island instead of Mars.
The Sweepstakes:
Gilligan has the winning ticket for a South American sweepstakes.
Quick Before It Sinks:
The Professor announces that the island is sinking.
Castaways Pictures Presents:
In an effort to be rescued, the castaways make a silent movie.
Agonized Labor:
The castaways try to help the Howells develop working skills after hearing of their financial problems on the radio.
Nyet, Nyet—Not Yet:
Russian cosmonauts and their space capsule land on the island.
Hi-Fi Gilligan:
Radio broadcasts come from Gilligan’s mouth after a blow to his head
The Chain of Command:
Gilligan is left in charge when the Skipper disappears.
Don’t Bug the Mosquitoes:
An American rock group comes to the island looking for a quiet vacation. The Wellingtons, who played the theme song for the first season, perform as the fictional group, “The Mosquitoes”.
Gilligan Gets Bugged:
Gilligan is bitten by a strange bug and thinks he is dying.
Mine Hero:
Gilligan fishes an old war mine out of the lagoon.
Erika Tiffany Smith to the Rescue:
A woman is looking for a new place for a resort. Guest starring: Zsa Zsa Gabor
Not Guilty:
An old newspaper that washes to shore in a crate says that one of the castaways is suspected of murder.
You’ve Been Disconnected:
The Professor taps into a trans-continental telephone cable to call for help.
The Postman Cometh:
The castaways hear on the radio that Mary Ann’s boyfriend is getting married.
Seer Gilligan:
The seeds of an island bush gives the ability to read minds.
Love Me, Love My Skipper:
The Howell’s lose the Skipper’s invitation to a party that they are planning.
Gilligan’s Living Doll:
An Air Force experiment results in a robot landing on the island.
Forward March:
The castaways are frightened at gunfire and explosions they hear.
Ship Ahoax:
When the castaways start to act a bit goofy, the Professor devises a plan to lift their spirits.
Feed the Kitty:
A caged lion washes up in the lagoon. Behind the scenes, Bob Denver (Gilligan) was almost injured by the lion during shooting.
Operation: Steam Heat:
The Professor is concerned that hot water coming from beneath the island is a precursor to volcanic activity.
Will the Real Mr. Howell Please Stand Up?:
Radio reports that Mr. Howell has been rescued makes the real Mr. Howell frantic over his money.
Ghost a Go-Go:
A ghost tries to scare off the castaways. Guest starring Richard Kiel
Allergy Time:
The skipper itches and sneezes when he is with Gilligan.
The Friendly Physician:
A scientist uses his latest experiment on the castaways, causing them to switch bodies with each other.
“V” For Vitamins:
The Professor decides that the castaways suffer from a lack of Vitamin C. Guest starring Patrick Denver, Bob Denver’s real-life four year old son as a young Gilligan in a dream sequence.
Mr. and Mrs.???:
A radio bulletin states that the minister who married Thurston and Lovey Howell (the Reverend Buckley Norris of Boston) was a fraud.
Meet the Meteor:
A huge meteor causes everything nearby to age rapidly.
Updated December 19, 2021