The first broadcast of 1965, "Water, Water Everywhere" is an example of how the show could wring laughs out of a serious situation, as a dry well indicates the need to find a new supply of fresh water. What little the castaways have is a prime target for theft, with a defining moment for Mr. Howell after everyone returns the goods and being asked if they're all ashamed: "I'm ashamed we got caught!" Gilligan's new divining rod actually succeeds in striking water, every last drop stored away. Fortunately, the heretofore unseen presence of a very wet frog leads a merry chase to an underground cave full of fresh water. The happy ending finds the castaways toasting Gilligan's 'froggy,' who never made a return appearance.
4 Reviews
Water is the key to survival. Only the greediest will survive.
mark.waltz1 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
With their supply of fresh water running out, the Skipper and Professor decide that they need to ration water, and all they have is a huge pot. But through the error of Gilligan and the deviousness of those desperate to get even a drop of water, just apply quickly dissipates and desperation takes over. The presence of a friendly frog sends Gilligan on a journey for his water supply, knowing that frog means wet and wet means water, but having already written a letter that he is moving to the other side of the island to prevent any further mishaps, the other castaways are sent into a panic.
There's a little bit of special effects utilized here with a flying hat with a frog underneath it, and the croaks are provided by Mel Blanc who had earlier provided the voice of a parrot. By accident, Gilligan finds a fresh spring, but unfortunately, he's trapped inside the cave and it's difficult to get out. The episode features more reality than the show has already had with the importance of resources discussed in detail. Of course, the little bit of reality is intermixed with typical pratfalls, and that makes for a very entertaining episodes. I don't know though that I'd want to drink the water after Gilligan and later the skipper end up bathing in it.
There's a little bit of special effects utilized here with a flying hat with a frog underneath it, and the croaks are provided by Mel Blanc who had earlier provided the voice of a parrot. By accident, Gilligan finds a fresh spring, but unfortunately, he's trapped inside the cave and it's difficult to get out. The episode features more reality than the show has already had with the importance of resources discussed in detail. Of course, the little bit of reality is intermixed with typical pratfalls, and that makes for a very entertaining episodes. I don't know though that I'd want to drink the water after Gilligan and later the skipper end up bathing in it.
Where there is a Frog, there is Water...
kmcelhaney00528 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
We begin with Gilligan pumping water for the new garden when suddenly the spring dries up. With the castaways in a dire predicament unless they find a new source of water, the entire group bands together to pool their water supply until a new well is dug.
Naturally, Gilligan manages to lose all the water and his subsequent guilt is enough to have him leave the rest of the castaways. But before he can, a very wet frog lands in front of him and Gilligan decides to follow the frog to fresh water.
Highlights include the Skipper's divining rod, the Howells' and the girls' attempt to steal from the water supply, and the finale where a lit match does more harm than good.
Perhaps this is the ultimate definition of a "middling" episode for Gilligan's Island. While the concept is good and some of the jokes work, some of the bits don't work very well or are just not that funny, such as when Gilligan follows the frog. It also doesn't help that a similar issue about the water supply was addressed before in a much better episode, "President Gilligan". A "bang" of an ending spices things up, but it's not really enough to make this episode memorable.
Naturally, Gilligan manages to lose all the water and his subsequent guilt is enough to have him leave the rest of the castaways. But before he can, a very wet frog lands in front of him and Gilligan decides to follow the frog to fresh water.
Highlights include the Skipper's divining rod, the Howells' and the girls' attempt to steal from the water supply, and the finale where a lit match does more harm than good.
Perhaps this is the ultimate definition of a "middling" episode for Gilligan's Island. While the concept is good and some of the jokes work, some of the bits don't work very well or are just not that funny, such as when Gilligan follows the frog. It also doesn't help that a similar issue about the water supply was addressed before in a much better episode, "President Gilligan". A "bang" of an ending spices things up, but it's not really enough to make this episode memorable.
- The water pump contraption we see at the beginning of the episode is simply ingenious and a credit to the imagination of the prop department.
- While we do see the shower make a reappearance from "President Gilligan", it has moved to another part of the island. Plus, Ginger doesn't seem to be very concerned about her state of dress at times...which is a good thing....:)
- A continuity error takes place as Gilligan is taking a "shower". While the bucket appears nearly full when Gilligan was using it, when the Skipper tries, it's now completely empty. Plus, shouldn't the shower have a wooden floor or at least a plank to stand on instead of just standing in the mud?
- It's pretty easy to see the string that is used to hoist up Gilligan's hat which supposedly contains the frog.
- While some may question why, if the cave indeed has that much explosive gas in it, does it not overwhelm Gilligan and the Skipper. A better question might be how did the Skipper keep his matches from getting wet?
Gilligan Blancs out
Ralphkram18 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is one disjointed episode. It's slow, has the same pacing issues as Goodnight, Sweet Skipper, and is definitely targeted to the kiddie crowd. Not much for adults to enjoy in this one.
The episode starts out promisingly with our lead pumping the pedals of a very large water wheel, one of the Professor's more ingenious inventions. The wheel is used to supply the island's water reserves. But the flow abruptly stops, and Gilligan guesses correctly that the spring they've tapped into has dried up. Shortly after experiencing a blight, the castaways are now victims of a drought.
In a nod to World War II, the castaways are forced to ration their reserves, which leads to some pretty good scenes of them grumbling and bartering for a few extra drops. The greed on display in The Big Gold Strike makes a welcome return, as what fun the episode does have is in watching the castaways scheme to steal the rations. Gilligan, who has been such a success at guard duty, is put in charge of protecting the reserve, which is held in a large sack. First the Howells team up to distract him, then Ginger hypnotizes him while Mary Ann steals some of the water. But the Skipper catches them both wet handed.
Unfortunately, our lead doesn't want the Skip to see his divining rod and accidentally pokes a hole in the sack, and the remaining reserve spills out. The promise of the episode similarly dries up.
The second act suffers from a humor drought. The Howells conduct a silly war-whooping rain dance that is this episode's cringe-worthy moment. The others are so miffed at Gilligan's haplessness that they give him the cold shoulder, and our lead starts to feel sorry for himself. For the first time in the series, he considers living as a hermit on the other side of the island.
While scribbling out his good bye note, Gilligan is interrupted by a frog with coincidentally wet feet. This frog ex machina leads him to an underground cavern filled with water in a long, draggy scene with weak special effects.
The Skipper finds Gilligan's note and is beside himself with guilt and worry. He spots the cavern and falls in after his little buddy. Nothing much interesting happens until the Howells happen along with a box of matches, and we end on a very funny and explosive gag where the two sailors wind up in a tree.
If only the rest of the episode had reached those heights...
COCONOTES
The frog is voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, man of a thousand voices.
The shower returns from President Gilligan, also an episode which deals with the water supply.
Ginger flirting with Gilligan at the shower feels odd and completely out of place, as she has been more interested in manipulating him up to this point, not having feelings for him. This scene would have worked better with the Professor.
She also can't make up her mind as to whether he is a boy or a man as she switches back and forth.
Minor blooper: the string on Gilligan's cap is clearly visible as it floats on his head in the frog scene.
The episode starts out promisingly with our lead pumping the pedals of a very large water wheel, one of the Professor's more ingenious inventions. The wheel is used to supply the island's water reserves. But the flow abruptly stops, and Gilligan guesses correctly that the spring they've tapped into has dried up. Shortly after experiencing a blight, the castaways are now victims of a drought.
In a nod to World War II, the castaways are forced to ration their reserves, which leads to some pretty good scenes of them grumbling and bartering for a few extra drops. The greed on display in The Big Gold Strike makes a welcome return, as what fun the episode does have is in watching the castaways scheme to steal the rations. Gilligan, who has been such a success at guard duty, is put in charge of protecting the reserve, which is held in a large sack. First the Howells team up to distract him, then Ginger hypnotizes him while Mary Ann steals some of the water. But the Skipper catches them both wet handed.
Unfortunately, our lead doesn't want the Skip to see his divining rod and accidentally pokes a hole in the sack, and the remaining reserve spills out. The promise of the episode similarly dries up.
The second act suffers from a humor drought. The Howells conduct a silly war-whooping rain dance that is this episode's cringe-worthy moment. The others are so miffed at Gilligan's haplessness that they give him the cold shoulder, and our lead starts to feel sorry for himself. For the first time in the series, he considers living as a hermit on the other side of the island.
While scribbling out his good bye note, Gilligan is interrupted by a frog with coincidentally wet feet. This frog ex machina leads him to an underground cavern filled with water in a long, draggy scene with weak special effects.
The Skipper finds Gilligan's note and is beside himself with guilt and worry. He spots the cavern and falls in after his little buddy. Nothing much interesting happens until the Howells happen along with a box of matches, and we end on a very funny and explosive gag where the two sailors wind up in a tree.
If only the rest of the episode had reached those heights...
COCONOTES
The frog is voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, man of a thousand voices.
The shower returns from President Gilligan, also an episode which deals with the water supply.
Ginger flirting with Gilligan at the shower feels odd and completely out of place, as she has been more interested in manipulating him up to this point, not having feelings for him. This scene would have worked better with the Professor.
She also can't make up her mind as to whether he is a boy or a man as she switches back and forth.
Minor blooper: the string on Gilligan's cap is clearly visible as it floats on his head in the frog scene.
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