NOW FEATURING...THE HUNTER

[lm]

What a____________________(fill in your own word)! Probably the worst
character to visit the island. He would actually be a handsome guy
without the slicked up hair--the greasy looking hair, I think, only
emphasizes his greasy character and makes him unappealing totally.
Did any of you see the original "Dangerous Game"? Which was scarier and
more upsetting do you think, that or GI?
I was a little disappointed when the castaways loved at first the idea of
being chosen for a hunting trip (would they all automatically enjoy
that kind of thing--animal rights and all...). I know he was famous for
it, but still...
Would you say Gilligan really came that close to being killed or not? I thought though that it was a bit much for the Skipper to say that outright!
I wonder why the girls were disqualified--they proved their running skills. Did Kincaid think they were joking about being chased?
I love the way Howell comes to plead for Gilligan and negotiate with RK.'s
What do you think of Lovey's response to Ramoo?

[callensensei]

I've rambled/ranted about this episode in a number of other posts, so I'll try not to repeat myself, but yes, no doubt the most evil person to visit the island, and we knew it by the time the teaser went to commercial.

Oh, I'd say Gilligan came pretty close to getting killed, especially when he was sitting there in front of that rock and Kincaid fired at him. I'm sure Gilligan (Bob) actually says, "Oh, my God," as he leaps up. I can't stand it, though, when the Skipper actually points out Gilligan's danger in that oddly excited voice at the end. I don't know why Alan Hale plays the whole episode for laughs when Rory Calhoun's Kincaid is so unflinchingly straight and menacing. The Skipper comes off dreadfully in this episode as a result.

I got the impression that Kincaid spared the girls because he felt Gilligan would have more stamina and therefore offer more of a challenge. The fact that Kincaid actually considered hunting the girls is more proof of his evil. I also get the creepy feeling that he had other plans for Ginger; his playing along with her playact in the drugging scene certainly suggests this.

Originally Posted by lm

Did any of you see the original "Dangerous Game"? Which was scarier and
more upsetting do you think, that or GI??

The original movie is actually pretty funny, because the actor playing the hunter is so ridiculously over the top, and the hero drags around this silly dame in a party dress who pretty much just slows him down. The original short story by Richard Connell, however, is gripping. You can see why everyone copied the idea.

Originally Posted by lm

I love the way Howell comes to plead for Gilligan and negotiate with RK.'s
What do you think of Lovey's response to Ramoo?

Mr. Howell, Lovey and Ginger are magnificent in this episode: all three take huge risks to save Gilligan. I was honestly scared for Ginger. Mr. Howell was at his most compassionate and generous, and Mrs. Howell showed leadership in a terrifying situation. I was also impressed by Mrs. Howell's genuine anger in the announcement scene. I was wishing the other castaways would get a bit angrier, actually.

All in all, a problematic episode, but a rivetting one. And an absolute gold-mine for angsty and hurt-comfort fanfics fodder!

[Teebs]

This is probably the most controversial episode for its strange mix of humour and pathos that never quite gels. I would have preferred it if they'd stuck to the drama and given us something to get our teeth into but in the end it turned into silly comedy with Gilligan stuck in a comedy tree. callensensei has handled the whole thing so much better in her series of Hunterfics over on fanfiction.net. (And I hope she doesn't mind me giving her a plug.)

Oh, I'd say Gilligan came pretty close to getting killed, especially when he was sitting there in front of that rock and Kincaid fired at him. I'm sure Gilligan (Bob) actually says, "Oh, my God," as he leaps up.

I'll have to look for that! I love Bob-isms on this show. That scene is by far the most horrifying. That bullet would have gone straight through his head.

I don't know why Alan Hale plays the whole episode for laughs when Rory Calhoun's Kincaid is so unflinchingly straight and menacing. The Skipper comes off dreadfully in this episode as a result.

Maybe he was simply directed to play for 'comedy'. GI had a lot of young viewers so maybe they just wanted to get across the point that 'yes, this looks bad, but hey, we can still laugh!' Although admittedly, it does ring a little false.

The Hunter, as performed by Smiley Theater-




:

[callensensei]

Oh, my gosh! I love your Smiley theatre. And many thanks for the plug!

I wonder whether Alan was responsible for getting Rory Calhoun on the show; the two had worked together in a number of episodes of "The Texan." Ironically, they played close friends and Rory was the hero!

That rock-shooting scene we mentioned is doubly horrific because if Gilligan had been hit, he would have had no head. Big game rifle bullets are incredibly powerful.

Some of us have speculated over on the ff.net forums that had Gilligan been killed by Kincaid, it would have been the end of all the castaways. They'd have been plunged into despair over such a senseless, terrible loss and have succumbed one by one. First the Skipper, then Mary Ann, then the Howells...and I'm not sure how long the Professor and Ginger could have lasted on their own. Apart from the headhunters and the nuclear missile, this was the closest the castaways ever came to being doomed.

Not exactly the kind of thing for a silly ending! And some episodes didn't have a silly ending! "Hi Fi Gilligan" is wonderful for its dramatic climax with the castaways all clinging to each other in the face of the typhoon, with the Skipper shouting out the mantra, "Hang on to each other!" Like you said, Teebs, I wish the writers in "The Hunter" had stuck with the drama, or at least not have gone in for something so ridiculous at the end. If they'd had headhunters chase Kincaid off the island or something like that, it might have been a bit more palpable. In fact, I'd have cheered!

[Teebs]

I wonder whether Alan was responsible for getting Rory Calhoun on the show; the two had worked together in a number of episodes of "The Texan." Ironically, they played close friends and Rory was the hero!

Calhoun is certainly a majestic looking man. Incredibly tall and devilishly handsome. The sort who could play a goodie or a baddie.
I watched The Hunter again last night, and I forgot about Kincaid's one comic line, "My malaria must be coming back."
That works because not only is it funny but it also shows a possible reason for the guy being so unhinged. I also thought that actually, the Skipper does show a lot of concern for Gilligan but he's way out of his depth here. Knowing his Navy background and what an impressively strong man he is, it's like watching Picard lose control of the Enterprise.
I just don't like the whole comedy tree scene. And I still think Gilligan could have easily lost Kincaid on that island for 24 hours. Gilligan's been there 3 years already, Kincaid's been there 5 minutes.
Also, I don't think enough was made of the fact Gilligan had survived for a whole 24 hours out in the jungle by himself. That's an entire day and night to avoid being brutally murdered in cold blood!!

That rock-shooting scene we mentioned is doubly horrific because if Gilligan had been hit, he would have had no head. Big game rifle bullets are incredibly powerful.

Looking at it again last night, the bullet would have actually gone through his heart. That's even worse because Gilligan's heart is what makes him Gilligan.

Some of us have speculated over on the ff.net forums that had Gilligan been killed by Kincaid, it would have been the end of all the castaways. They'd have been plunged into despair over such a senseless, terrible loss and have succumbed one by one. First the Skipper, then Mary Ann, then the Howells...and I'm not sure how long the Professor and Ginger could have lasted on their own. Apart from the headhunters and the nuclear missile, this was the closest the castaways ever came to being doomed.

I don't even want to think about it. I've only been a GI fan for a few months but already I feel fiercely protective of Gilligan and hate to think of anything like that happening. Hurting Gilligan is like kicking a little friendly puppy. You just don't do it.

Not exactly the kind of thing for a silly ending! And some episodes didn't have a silly ending! "Hi Fi Gilligan" is wonderful for its dramatic climax with the castaways all clinging to each other in the face of the typhoon, with the Skipper shouting out the mantra, "Hang on to each other!" Like you said, Teebs, I wish the writers in "The Hunter" had stuck with the drama, or at least not have gone in for something so ridiculous at the end. If they'd had headhunters chase Kincaid off the island or something like that, it might have been a bit more palpable. In fact, I'd have cheered!

It's almost like two episodes in one, isn't it? It's tense and dramatic right up to the comedy tree and then it completely falls apart. I actually think trapping Kincaid in the quicksand from your story would have been a much better idea, or headhunters actually claiming his head would have been brilliant. They wouldn't have needed to show it, just see him chased off and then some victory drums and we'd know what had happened. Thwack!

The Hunter is the one episode where we desperately needed a 'we all stand together!' scene like the one you mentioned in Hi-Fi Gilligan and we didn't get it. As the Skipper would say, "Doop!"

[littlesoprano]

Ah, The Hunter. A problematic episode, yes, but also great material for fanfic! For me, the episode is worth watching just for the wonderful scenes with Mr. Howell, Ginger and especially Mrs. Howell risking their lives for Gilligan. It seems appropriate that the three who acted as mild antagonists to Gilligan in Season 1 here are the ones who step up.

I've often wondered: is Mrs. Howell actually as insensible to the danger from Ramoo as she appears (as Mrs. Howell is genuinely naive about a great many things) or is she simply reassuring herself by pretending that she is?

One thing that I do not like about the episode is that, those three truly heroic attempts aside, the castaways just don't seem to try hard enough to rescue Gilligan. It very well could be that Kincaid threatened to hurt the women if Skipper and the other men tried anything, but we don't see that. There could be other reasons, but we aren't told what they are.

Originally Posted by Teebs

I just don't like the whole comedy tree scene. And I still think Gilligan could have easily lost Kincaid on that island for 24 hours. Gilligan's been there 3 years already, Kincaid's been there 5 minutes.

I agree on both points. Once the Mrs. Howell scene is over, I don't even bother with the rest of the episode. And Gilligan knows the island better than anyone. He surely could find an underground cavern or some other place where Kincaid would not be able to reach him. It doesn't make sense for him to keep running out in the open instead of hiding. The castaways always managed to find him when he hid away in the jungle, but in those cases he really wasn't trying very hard not to be found.

It's almost like two episodes in one, isn't it? It's tense and dramatic right up to the comedy tree and then it completely falls apart.

Something like that. I think it's kind of unbalanced even in the first half, though. The laugh track is like an intrusion - it just doesn't fit, but they try to force it. As for Alan Hale playing it for comedy - you are all right, it doesn't work, and Skipper does come off badly. He's a good actor, though, and when a generally good actor makes choices this bad I tend to give he or she the benefit of the doubt. It very well could have been the direction he was given, to try to "lighten" the episode.

The Hunter is the one episode where we desperately needed a 'we all stand together!' scene like the one you mentioned in Hi-Fi Gilligan and we didn't get it. As the Skipper would say, "Doop!"

So here's my Hunter ending: as Kincaid closes in, gun raised, the other castaways rush in and surround Gilligan. Tense moment, when it looks like they all will die. Then suddenly comes the sound of a mighty roar. It's - ta da! - Gilligan's lion, who has somehow ended up back on the island! He charges Kincaid, who, due to a traumatic experience on a hunting expedition, has a terrible lion phobia. He runs away in terror, chased by the lion. Huzzah! Later they hear the same radio report that Kincaid is in an insane asylum. The lion is somehow returned back to his natural habitat. Huzzah again!

Hey, it's better than the whole tree bit.

[Steve Carras]

Originally Posted by Teebs

Calhoun is certainly a majestic looking man. Incredibly tall and devilishly handsome. The sort who could play a goodie or a baddie.
I watched The Hunter again last night, and I forgot about Kincaid's one comic line, "My malaria must be coming back."
That works because not only is it funny but it also shows a possible reason for the guy being so unhinged. I also thought that actually, the Skipper does show a lot of concern for Gilligan but he's way out of his depth here. Knowing his Navy background and what an impressively strong man he is, it's like watching Picard lose control of the Enterprise.
I just don't like the whole comedy tree scene.

Comedy tree scene...oh yeah, the hollow tree trunk when Rory says that line about the malaira.

You know what?: This is one of my favorite episodes. And "That happens to be one of our favorite trees."

EDIT:10/8/15: He also makes cracks about Mr.Howell (I'd love to let some air out..) and the skipper (too big a target...LOL)

[callensensei]

Originally Posted by littlesoprano

One thing that I do not like about the episode is that, those three truly heroic attempts aside, the castaways just don't seem to try hard enough to rescue Gilligan. It very well could be that Kincaid threatened to hurt the women if Skipper and the other men tried anything, but we don't see that. There could be other reasons, but we aren't told what they are.



I agree on both points. Once the Mrs. Howell scene is over, I don't even bother with the rest of the episode. And Gilligan knows the island better than anyone. He surely could find an underground cavern or some other place where Kincaid would not be able to reach him. .

I agree on both points too. The castaways sit dithering in that cave for 18 hours while Gilligan is on the run, and all someone had to do was momentarily distract Ramoo (as dear Mrs. Howell finally does) so that the Skipper could overpower him. The Professor and Skipper's failure to take Kincaid's gun when he sits up out of the water trough is also extremely aggravating. And yes, Gilligan should have been able to hide on Kincaid. He did from the headhunters, and they were good trackers too.

Originally Posted by littlesoprano

So here's my Hunter ending: as Kincaid closes in, gun raised, the other castaways rush in and surround Gilligan. Tense moment, when it looks like they all will die. Then suddenly comes the sound of a mighty roar. It's - ta da! - Gilligan's lion, who has somehow ended up back on the island! He charges Kincaid, who, due to a traumatic experience on a hunting expedition, has a terrible lion phobia. He runs away in terror, chased by the lion. Huzzah! Later they hear the same radio report that Kincaid is in an insane asylum. The lion is somehow returned back to his natural habitat. Huzzah again!

Hey, it's better than the whole tree bit.

"A Daniel come to judgement! Yea, a Daniel!" Write the fic! Write the fic!

Have you read my AU ending, "Perhaps the Jaguar Does?" We think along the same lines in terms of Kincaid and big cats.

[littlesoprano]

Yes, I have read it; it's a great fic!

Oh, I have no motivation to write Lion!fic, I'm afraid. Heck, I still have to finish "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." On the upside, I almost have Kincaid-Ginger showdown finished. And it is now a true showdown. Ginger, she has claws!

[JWood201]

As it is after midnight, I have nothing constructive to add at this moment, BUT I just wanted to acknowledge that I'm super excited that littlesoprano's Ginger Hunterfic is almost done! No pressure!

[callensensei]

Originally Posted by JWood201

As it is after midnight, I have nothing constructive to add at this moment, BUT I just wanted to acknowledge that I'm super excited that littlesoprano's Ginger Hunterfic is almost done! No pressure!

Yeehaw! Another Hunterfic! And one that I know will be fabulous! Go get him, tigress!

[The Flying Dutchmans]

It didn't hit me as so serious until Lovey Howel broke her usual airhead bantor and made a serious comment. "Mr. Kincaid. Your joke is in extremely poor taste." Then I knew we had a certified evil jerk on the island.

[Teebs]

Originally Posted by The Flying Dutchmans

It didn't hit me as so serious until Lovey Howel broke her usual airhead bantor and made a serious comment. "Mr. Kincaid. Your joke is in extremely poor taste." Then I knew we had a certified evil jerk on the island.

You've made a good point there. Because she's normally so ditzy it makes you sit up and listen when she says that.

[callensensei]

Originally Posted by Teebs

You've made a good point there. Because she's normally so ditzy it makes you sit up and listen when she says that.

It certainly is a good point, Flying Dutchman. There's such a cold fury in her voice. And at his equally cold rejoinder, "Madame, I assure you I'm not joking," a pall falls over the whole scene.

[Steve Carras]

Here's one of those earlier posts that callensensei referred to:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...68#post5055768

It is also my belief that Rory Calhoun's Johnathan Kincaid was the most sinister man on the island, as well....the girls were, well, girls and even Mr.Kincaid wanted to leave them out..