I've been rewatching G.I. on DVD. I just finished season 1 and started season 2. What a change going from the Black and White eps of season 1 to the color eps of season 2. If ever a show was crying out to be in color it's G.I.! With the jungle, lagoon, face painted headhunters, and colorful clothes worn by the castaways they needed to shoot this show in color!!

I've been rewatching G.I. on DVD. I just finished season 1 and started season 2. What a change going from the Black and White eps of season 1 to the color eps of season 2. If ever a show was crying out to be in color it's G.I.! With the jungle, lagoon, face painted headhunters, and colorful clothes worn by the castaways they needed to shoot this show in color!!

But don't you think Season 1 had an atmosphere all of its own? I love the B&W episodes. The castaways weren't too caricaturized, Gilligan did stupid things but he wasn't a total lamebrain, Skipper was more authoritative, Thurston was more devious (if that's possible!), I loved the constant conspiring of Mr. Howell and Ginger against the others, and Lovey's snooty disapproval of the sexy movie star's ways. I also loved the chemistry between Ginger and Gilligan, and the unrequited love between Gilligan and Mary Ann. Season 1 was so much more about their characters, and then with the color episodes they all became a little more stereotyped and cartoon-like.

But don't you think Season 1 had an atmosphere all of its own? I love the B&W episodes. The castaways weren't too caricaturized, Gilligan did stupid things but he wasn't a total lamebrain, Skipper was more authoritative, Thurston was more devious (if that's possible!), I loved the constant conspiring of Mr. Howell and Ginger against the others, and Lovey's snooty disapproval of the sexy movie star's ways. I also loved the chemistry between Ginger and Gilligan, and the unrequited love between Gilligan and Mary Ann. Season 1 was so much more about their characters, and then with the color episodes they all became a little more stereotyped and cartoon-like.
I think it's normal with a new TV series that the first seaon there are a lot of character driven episodes to help us get to know all the characters. Then starting with the second season the writers think to themselves now that the audience knows the characters what situations can we put them in. That was certainly the case with G.I. Of course these days they try to do all of the character development in the pilot episode. Just one of the many failings of modern sitcoms!

On finding her character, here's Tina Louise from page 47 of Joey Green's Unofficial Gilligan's Island Handbook.

"The show really kind of came together when director Dick Donner got on the show. He kind of let all the characters go in the directions that they should go, because it was a little bit confusing in the beginning when John Rich was directing. I had been told Ginger was a Marilyn Monroe/Lucille Ball character. And he sort of wanted to make it Eve Arden. And I didn't want to go in that direction... people didn't want to see a big beautiful doll, you know talking out of the side of her mouth."

Of course Ginger was so statuesque, who would notice the side of her mouth?


On the need for Gilligan in color, I so agree.
Family TV Classics released only 12 season one episodes in color on VHS. (you can still find some on Amazon) They're beautiful. But I fear it's too late to hope for the other 24.

My dad served in the Navy in the Big War and loved Gilligan. I promised to get him a full set in color. Alas, I'm afraid it's a promise to a vet that will go unkept.

But don't you think Season 1 had an atmosphere all of its own? I love the B&W episodes. The castaways weren't too caricaturized, Gilligan did stupid things but he wasn't a total lamebrain, Skipper was more authoritative, Thurston was more devious (if that's possible!), I loved the constant conspiring of Mr. Howell and Ginger against the others, and Lovey's snooty disapproval of the sexy movie star's ways. I also loved the chemistry between Ginger and Gilligan, and the unrequited love between Gilligan and Mary Ann. Season 1 was so much more about their characters, and then with the color episodes they all became a little more stereotyped and cartoon-like.

I think you are right..

There was more antagonistic attitude in season one.. More human..

Even the proffesor wasn't above being sneaky and shady.. I recall he tried to sneak gold on a raft that would have rescued them..

The rest of the series was funny and enjoyable.. But the characters were pretty much all buffoons.. lovable buffoons.. but buffoons just the same.

Season one is my personal favorite as well... It even had a little more drama to it at times..