Elroy Schwartz, younger brother of show creator and producer Sherwood Schwartz, wrote this very funny episode. Elroy also did many scripts for MY THREE SONS and the BRADY BUNCH, including some cops shows, such as THE MOD SQUAD. Interestingly, Elroy "borrows" a bit from the FLINTSTONES in this episode. More to come.
It's all about a long, long, long telephone cable that conveniently washes up on the shores of the island. Tag it poetic license as a cable wire that long, and probably laid underground, would have been broken anyway, right? How did it get loose in the first place, or the second place? The professor and his revolutionary theories suggest there is a chance the castaways can actually call for help. OK.
There's only one problem. The cable contains a metal casing. Here's the FLINTSTONE angle. The professor gets Gilligan on a bamboo-made bike, which is attached to a cutting blade. Just where the heck they got a blade that strong and sharp remains to be seen, as usual. Gilligan peddles away and attempts to cut into the metal, reminding me of Fred Flintstone's car which he had to peddle with his feet --and so many other gadgets that needed foot power! It's all in how fast you can use your feet.
The crew is eventually able to tap into the line, but instead can only hear incoming calls, such as a bored operator, well played by comedian and actress Sandra Gould. Not to long after this episode she would be cast as the "second" Mrs. Kravatz on BEWITCHED. You cannot forget her famous voice and she is the perfect choice to play an operator, based in San Diego. That's the only mystery. What happened to Honolulu, where they are supposedly closest to?
First episode of 1966, SEASON 3 restored dvd box set.