Jencyclopedia

Toni Tennille stars in Beauty and the Beast.
Hugh O’Brian stars in Ghost.

It feels like such a long time since we’ve had opening scene shenanigans. Sigh.

Roarke: Miss Lohman’s [fantasy] is to meet the composer whose music has enthralled her over the years and lifted her to the heights of stardom. […] I am afraid that Miss Lohman is about to undergo the most bizarre experience Fantasy Island has ever known.

That’s a pretty big claim.

Oh, this is interesting — in later seasons, this scene probably would have taken place on Roarke’s patio, but they haven’t shown us that set yet, so this was filmed in front (and off to the side a bit) of the main house.

Roarke: I must remind you of the one condition which I am obliged to impose: no physical violence. No matter what happens to you, whatever dangers you find yourself in, however much you are provoked, you are not to strike back, or your fantasy will end instantly.

Roarke doesn’t usually put conditions on fantasies. The only other time I can think of where he made a big deal of it was 2×5 “The Jewel Thief”, where he said that whatever the guy stole had to be returned.

Roarke: And remember that you are Mr. Dumont’s first and only guest; he may not observe the usual… protocol.

Damn, I want to live on a private estate on Fantasy Island where no one ever bothers me, and if someone does bother me, Mr. Roarke makes excuses for why I’m so socially inept.

Looks like Edmond Dumont is living in Elizabeth’s castle.

Another original song:

“Rainbow Lake”

When first I saw you by the lake
My eyes could not believe
That such beauty
Could be smiling just for me
And fill my heart–

Susan Lohman: Why won’t you look at me?
Me: Because he’s disfigured, his face is burned or something–
[Susan turns on the light.]

Okay… so Roarke wasn’t lying about this being the most bizarre fantasy ever.

Roarke: Mr. Colshaw, you did not suffer amnesia. You actually drowned in that river. You were given a reprieve by a power infinitely greater than I, brought back to life for forty-eight hours. You drowned, Mr. Colshaw. This is the first time I’ve granted a fantasy to a dead man.

What a weird episode.

They added another wall outside the office? What were they thinking?!

There are two walls in that hallway now. How are people supposed to get into this office?! There’s no clear entrance into that hallway. Did they just build a teeny little room off of the office set? Is this hallway actually another magic room? What is going on here?!

I’m just going to pretend I didn’t see that. That wall doesn’t exist until I see it in another episode.

Durwood: Well, I’ll find her, Mr. Roarke; your island can’t be that big.

Roarke: If men would talk and listen to each other more, the world would have fewer problems.
Tattoo: People who are busy talking don’t have the time to make war.
Roarke: I thought I just said that.

Who are you — Spock?

I think Wally might be Toby or Kako, one of Jesse Mason’s goons, but we don’t get a good look at his face.

I don’t get why Susan keeps trying to escape from this guy. He hasn’t done anything threatening towards her; he’s just weird looking.

[Roarke plays Edmond Dumont’s music on a tape player.]
Susan Lohman: Please, Mr. Roarke. Turn it off.
Roarke: Oh, certainly. With the flick of a finger. But I can turn it on again, Miss Lohman.

Yes… that’s how a tape player works…?

Okay, I’m not sure if that’s Wally any more. He’s got a mustache. Wally never had a mustache.

Also, there’s a parking lot in the background. There are no parking lots on Fantasy Island!

Tattoo: Did Mr. Dumont really have an animal face?
Roarke: What do you think, Tattoo? Was that just the way Miss Lohman saw him? A trick of the mind?

“Did this story really happen, or is it… Beyond Belief?”

• Guests:
  • Mr. Alan Colshaw
  • Miss Susan Lohman, the singer
• Tattoo has no faith:
  • Roarke: All he asks for now is peace of mind… and of the spirit.
    Tattoo: Some fantasy. Boss, how you going to do that?
• Roarke’s drink: clearish yellow
• Ominous shot of Roarke drinking: no, he just drinks and toasts; he doesn’t look ominous at all
• Employees: Mahana brings a tea kettle to Roarke, Tattoo, and Alan Colshaw, who are sitting at a table in front of the main house.
• Magic object:
  • Roarke: This pendant has special powers, Mr. Colshaw. It enables the wearer to recall past events of his life precisely as they happened… to actually relive them… and most importantly, to share the experience with others.
• Locations: Edmond Dumont’s private estate
• Disappearing act:
  • Susan Lohman: There’s no bell. There’s not even a doorknob, Mr. Roarke… Mr. Roarke?
• Magic fog: Edmond Dumont’s yard is filled with fog, but it’s probably not magic fog.
• Can’t help you:
  • Alan Colshaw: Mr. Roarke, I want to change my fantasy. All I ask is that I be allowed to stay here forever with Lena.
    Roarke: I am sorry. You know that’s quite impossible.
  • Durwood: I’ve got to talk to her. Where is she?
    Roarke: I’m sorry, I cannot divulge Miss Lohman’s present whereabouts.
• He’s dead, Jim: Alan Colshaw has been dead all along.
• Recurring phrases:
  • Durwood: Susan — Miss Lohman — is giving a concert in London the day after tomorrow. London.
    Roarke: Indeed.
• Roarke’s powers: While talking to Susan Lohman, he suddenly gets a migraine and seems to have a telepathic vision that Edmond Dumont is dying.
  
• Not leaving on the plane: Alan Colshaw, because he’s dead.
• Leaving with an extra guest: Susan Lohman with new boyfriend Edmond Dumont.
• All you need is love:
  • Roarke: It was your love which brought about this happy conclusion.