I always thought it pretty unbelievable that the food would shrink to the size it did although I do know nothing about such things)!

What's with the Professor's attitude ("Well, if he said he was going to keep them away then WHY doesn't he keep them away?!?!?)?

It's kind of a curious fact that Maryann, having been raised on and having worked on a farm all her life, wants to spare Everett/Emily so much, especially in a famine situation.
By, the way, my son wants to add that he would rather not eat the poor duck, as well.
One can sympathize with Gilligan's predicament, though, and how he loves the duck--I think that's convincingly done.

In the dream sequence, why was Lovey giving Gilligan (Marshall Gilligan) a gun? Someone suggested that maybe it didn't work.

The "missed me" part of the dream is great.

In the dream, what do you think Marshall Gilligan was about to say to Miss Maryann before he was cut off?????


Please, give us your comments on this episode--applause, criticism, questions, whatever....Remember, the individual episodes are what make the show!

"Oh Marshall Gilligan! Think about our future!" -MaryAnn

Loved every moment of it!!!

Wasn't this dream scene filmed on the set of (dare I say it) Gunsmoke??

Which is slightly ironic...

I think I would have eaten the duck. Afteral, what really are the chances that the duck would successfully deliver that message?
But, of course I can understand how it would be hard to; especially after they all got to liking the duck...

This is one of the first episodes that showcases Gilligan's instinctive love for animals and his uncanny ability to communicate with them. Love how fiercely protective he is when the Skipper comes for Emily. "No! You can't have her!" No, Gilligan, you're not a coward. Not by a long shot.

Mary Ann may well be like Fern from "Charlotte's Web:" ultimately unsuited to living on a working farm because of her empathy with animals. Maybe her farm was mostly crops as opposed to livestock. Her empathy is certainly something she shares with Gilligan, and it's sweet to see them bonding over Emily's cage.

The only other time I recall a problem over eating an animal was the old boar in "Where There's A Will." They were all hemming and hawing over who was to kill it. Though the question was never resolved, I got the impression that since everyone was so reluctant to do him in, they let him go. I certainly didn't see any meat at the party or hear anyone saying, "Mmm! Love these spareribs!" In fact, if this episode and "Quacking" are anything to go by, it seems that apart from eggs and seafood, the castaways ended up being vegetarians.

This episode was indeed shot on the Gunsmoke set, as was "The Sweepstakes," and that thrilling music is from the Gunsmoke soundtrack. The noble, Gary-Cooperish Marshall Gilligan is one of my favourite dream characters. And isn't it interesting that in his dream, Gilligan is engaged to Mary Ann. Even in his dreams, she's telling him he's wonderful!