The Real Gilligan’s Island 2, Episode 2: More Bounce to the Ounce

This is hour two of the premiere episode of the second season of The Real Gilligan’s Island. I’m calling it episode two. As you may recall (or can read in my review of episode one), when we last left the castaways, they had just been informed that they would have to face a challenge with their own Skipper’s fate on the line. If they lost the challenge, their Skipper would be banished from the game.

We start off with a few words from the Skippers. They tell us what we already know, in that one of them will go home tonight. We then see the millionaires improvise a miniature golf course. Skipper Ken kicks their butts at the game.

Then, we find Mary Ann Mandy and Professor Andy doing a little bit of spooning action in the hut. Gilligan Zac soon enters and joins them. He’s got his arms around Mandy and his head resting on Andy’s stomach. Yup, he’s a weird little fellow. Andy tells us that he flirts with Mandy, of course, but that nothing will happen between them because he has a girlfriend at home.

On the other side of camp, we find out that Mary Ann Randi has left her food rations open and sitting on her bunk. Unfortunately, ants have discovered this picnic and have been munching on her food. She complains that nobody moved her food when they found out. Erika then tells the camera that Randi complains about everything and that life always seems to suck for her. We are then treated to a short montage of her complaining about different things.

Soon enough, the radio in camp crackles to life. It tells the players that the Skipper challenge is about to begin and that they should head to the lagoon. This they then do.

Scott Lasky, our host, meets the castaways down at the lagoon. He shows them two boats and explains that each team will get into the boat. The goal is to keep the boat from sinking. At the start, Scott will pull out some plugs in the boat, letting it fill with water. The players have to plugs the leaks or bail the water from the boat. Every few minutes, one player must leave the boat and then another plug is pulled, allowing even more water in. The Skipper and Gilligan must be the last ones in the boat. The last Skipper afloat wins the contest.

They are seated in the boats. Scott waves him arms and they’re off! Four plugs are pulled from each boat. The castaways start trying to plugs the holes and bail. Both boats seem to be staying more or less afloat.

After a few minutes, Scott blows a whistle and tells the male Millionaires to jump out of the boat and pull another plug.

Skipper Charlie tells us that he was not at all worried. He organized his team perfectly to cover the holes and bail. In fact, he demonstrates his confidence by scooping tiny amounts of water from the boat (implying that there was no water in the boat).

On the other hand, Skipper Ken’s crew tells us that he never said a word and never gave his crew any instructions or encouragement. Hmm. That doesn’t sound too good.

But, the boats are still about even in the water. After a few minutes, Mary Ann must abandon ship and another plug is pulled. Nothing too exciting happens and after a few more minutes, the Professor is told to leap overboard.

But, suddenly, disaster strikes. Professor Tiy-e apparently can’t swim and is flailing around in the water. Without hesitation, our host Scott jumps into the water after him.

Now, I would like to stop and point out that various safety groups do not recommend immediately jumping in when you notice a person struggling in the water. They recommend that your first course of action should be to throw a floatation device to the victim. A struggling victim in panic mode will often grab onto a would-be rescuer and could accidentally drown you as well. Once the victim is holding onto something that floats, they may calm down a bit and can be pulled to safety. The following link can provide valuable information on this topic.

Unfortunately, as Scott approaches Tiy-e without a floatation device, Tiy-e does grab Scott and drag him under the water. Scott wisely backs off. By now, Millionaire Howard and Professor Andy have jumped in as well (also without a floatation devices). Between the three of them, they drag Tiy-e to a stump where he can catch his breath and calm down a bit. He’s okay for now.

But, the show must go on. The players in the boats have been watching this with concern, but they see that the situation appears to be under control and keep bailing. Scott gets out of the water, returns to his post and then orders the Millionairesses out of the boat. He has to shout to get their attention because he has lost his whistle in the confusion.

Scott finds his whistle and blows it again. This time, Gilligan Zac (green team) jumps out of the boat. But, oops, he wasn’t supposed to jump out, just pull his plug. So, he has to swim back and climb into the boat.