Although I love GI, this is probably my least favorite episode--I just can't get into the whole Japanese/World War II thing here.

One thing that always puzzled me about this episode is in the scene where the amnesiac Skipper and Gilligan come to where Maryann is hanging laundry. Gilligan tells Maryann about the Skipper's amnesia and Maryann announces she must tell the Professor. Gilligan has already told the Professor earlier but he gets so frantic about running after Maryann and stopping her from telling him(since he already told him supposedly). What's the big deal?
So what if the Professor hears it again from Maryann? Do you think this was just a way to clear the set for the next scene with Skipper and Ginger? Any ideas?

Why was the Skipper washing his socks separately from the island laundry?

It's interesting listening to Bob Denver and Jim Backus obviously ad-libbing in the scene where the both think they're the Skipper.

I think you're right: Mary Ann and Gilligan exit stage left in order to clear the way for the Skipper/Ginger scene. The Skipper here is not only acting like he's amnesiac, but a bit drunk. I can't imagine him normally behaving this boorish with a woman.

It is very sweet, though, that despite his amnesia the Skipper immediately and naturally warms to Gilligan. He's actually more relaxed and appreciative than usual with his little buddy.

As a child I was really confused by the whole Japanese soldier business, but now I find it quite funny. It's especially fun in the cave scenes to watch how well they match the positioning and movements of the actors as they cut back and forth between the normal dress/Japanese uniform shots. Watch Japanese Mr. Howell and Gilligan as they actually begin watching the pendulum swing: they're still doing it when we see them again in normal clothes.

In those ad libbing scenes you can hear Mr. Howell yelling something like, "I am one of the fattest Skippers" and Gilligan telling Howell he looks as though he's dressed for a safari. Great stuff.

Love Howell's "humour him" to Lovey and their wild attempts at actually pretend to be Japanese soldiers. "Me Emperor!" LOL!

A nice bit of continuity pops up when the Skipper steals the rifle and bayonet the castaways had taken from the Japanese soldier. It just contributes to his WW2 fantasy and makes him far more of a problem to deal with!

What does everybody think: was this botched rescue partially the Professor's fault? Shouldn't he have been wary of activating the the Skipper's WW2 memories? It seems the Professor's hypnotism esperiments never went very well.