The Most Disliked Episode Of Gilligan’s Island According To IMDb
In the classic TV series Gilligan’s Island, the episode titled “Forward March,” which aired on February 17, 1966, stands out as an infamous chapter in the show’s history. During this bizarre episode, the beloved castaways find themselves in an unexpected predicament when grenades start exploding around them, courtesy of an unseen attacker. Mr. Howell, played by Jim Backus, faces a surge of war-related trauma and takes it upon himself to assume the role of a General, attempting to organize a wacky counter-offensive.
As the chaos ensues, the castaways discover that their true adversary is a gorilla, portrayed by Janos Prohaska, who has made a home in a nearby cave. Armed with a machine gun and a stockpile of grenades, likely discarded from World War II, the gorilla’s antics prompt a series of slapstick moments. The Professor, played by Russell Johnson, manages to deduce that the gorilla is merely mimicking soldiers it has observed in the past. Gilligan, portrayed by Bob Denver, eventually confronts the gorilla and cleverly teaches it to toss its grenades into the lagoon, averting disaster for the group. However, the episode concludes with comedic surprises: the gorilla’s mysterious red disk explodes in a massive mushroom cloud, and in a final gag, it pie-faces Gilligan with one of Mary Ann’s treats.
Throughout its initial airings, Gilligan’s Island was often criticized for its over-the-top silliness, and “Forward March” certainly encapsulates that notion. The sight of a man in a gorilla costume might seem amusing to some, yet many viewers find it to be an outdated comedic device that fails to deliver genuine laughs. In fact, this very episode has earned the title of the most poorly rated installment of the series according to IMDb, boasting a mere 6.5 out of 10 from 206 user reviews.
Interestingly, not all feedback is negative; 37 viewers rated it a perfect 10, and 49 gave it a respectable 7. Still, over 40% of reviews came in at six or lower. It seems the gorilla’s presence significantly shaped the episode’s reception, as the notion of men in gorilla suits had become a tired trope by 1966. Looking back on television history, one might even argue that shows like The Ghost Busters took the concept to unfunny extremes in later years.
Delving deeper into the show’s legacy, creator Sherwood Schwartz once expressed that his favorite episode was “The Little Dictator,” which he believed perfectly embodied the series’ values. Schwartz intended Gilligan’s Island to represent a mix of American life, portraying seven diverse individuals from different backgrounds trying to coexist on a deserted isle. In contrast, “Forward March” shifts the tone, as the castaways mistakenly fall into military roles under Mr. Howell’s misguided leadership.
Dressed in army gear and responding to Howell’s fantasized authority, the castaways momentarily lose their inherently peaceful and democratic spirits, underscoring a troubling transition from camaraderie to chaos. Perhaps this episode, in its exaggerated portrayal of conflict, reflects a deeper commentary on militarism and authority that resonates even today.
