Jencyclopedia

Laraine Stephens accuses Roarke of being a deadbeat dad.
A man wants to help Sherlock Holmes solve a case.

This is the first time Julie hasn’t even made an appearance in the opening scene. It seems like the rule is now:

• If Julie is wearing pants in the opening credits…
  • Julie episode with no Tattoo at all (or just a voice cameo) or
  • Julie and Tattoo episode or
  • Tattoo episode with no Julie at all
• If Julie is wearing a skirt in the opening credits…
  • Tattoo episode with brief Julie appearance

I don’t get why they film the scene with Roarke/Tattoo/Julie at the dock in so many different locations. I assume they use the indoor set if it’s raining, but why do they have so many different outdoor locations for this scene, when it’s supposed to take place at the same place every week?

Roarke: His fantasy is to assist some famous detective of literature solve an important case.
Tattoo: Who is gonna help him? Matt Helms? Ellery Queen? Sam Spade?

This is another episode I saw previously, although I don’t remember anything about the Sherlock Holmes fantasy. I do remember this exchange though, and I remember thinking duh, Tattoo, how about the most famous detective of all time? I’ve never even heard of Matt Helms or Ellery Queen.

Roarke: Adorable child. As you can see, she has her mother’s good looks.

Nicole Eggert is 9 years old here.

Tattoo: Mrs. Warner looks very familiar.

Yeah, probably because Laraine Stephens has been on the show twelve times already. I feel like saying stuff like that just draws attention to that.

Roarke: You have an excellent memory, Tattoo; she was a guest on the island almost seven years ago.

I guess Nicole Eggert is playing a 6 year old though.

It always feels weird when Roarke references something that happened on Fantasy Island before the series started. In most shows, characters don’t give such exact time frames for past events unless they’re referring to something that happened previously on the series, like “remember last year, when we were caught in that ~booby trap~?”

Tattoo: What’s her fantasy?
Roarke: I don’t know, Tattoo.
Tattoo: What?
Roarke: She would only say that she would tell me at the proper time in the proper place.

Do we take Mr. Roarke at his word here? There have been times where he genuinely didn’t seem to know what was going to happen; like he wasn’t aware that Helena like-liked him in 2×8 “Return”. But then there were times when he knew things he had no business knowing ; like in 5×8 “The Lagoon”, he knew all about this guy’s childhood and father and the serenade fish.

I often wonder what went on in the Fantasy Island writers’ room. Did they have rules about Roarke’s powers? Did they care about the lore, the continuity, or was this show just a paycheck to them? The way we watched TV back then was different, and most shows didn’t care much about continuity… but writers are artists, and I wonder if any of them cared about what they created the same way I care about the code I create at my job. I know most of the code I write doesn’t really matter, but I still take pride in it and want to do a good job. I want the code I write today to be consistent with the other code in the repo. Did the Fantasy Island writers care about that, or were they on such tight timelines that they couldn’t care about that?

Anyway, I feel like Roarke must know what her fantasy, because otherwise, why would he grant her fantasy? There have been fantasies in the past that he’s refused to grant — like in 3×8 “Tattoo’s Romance” — so he has no way of knowing if her fantasy is like one of those fantasies.

Although, I don’t remember this story exactly… does Fran genuinely believe Roarke could be Nancy’s father? If so, that would mean Fran and Roarke had a relationship, and Roarke probably trusts her enough to bring her back to the island. I think the story was that Fran is dying, and she wants someone to take care of her daughter, in which case, it’s possible she and Roarke did not have any kind of relationship, so then why is he bringing her back? Hasn’t he also said it’s his policy not to repeat a fantasy? (Well, unless you give him a lot of money, like in 4×19 “The Proxy Billionaire”.)

I guess it was cheaper to make the magic room into a black backdrop with stock footage superimposed over them instead of filling the room with actual memorabilia every week.

Roarke: You remember Tattoo, of course.
Fran Warner: Yes, how are you?

So we know for certain that Tattoo has been with Roarke on Fantasy Island since at least around 1975, since that would have been when Fran was last on the island.

Roarke: You know, I am at a considerable disadvantage. If I am to fulfill your fantasy to your satisfaction, I must make certain preparations. Isn’t that right, Tattoo?
Tattoo: Right, boss.

Roarke: May I ask… what that means?

Me every time Roarke uses a big word.

Tattoo: Boss, how can you let her get away with it? In front of all these people!
Roarke: She’s not getting away with anything, Tattoo.
Tattoo: No?
Roarke: No. I have a feeling she’s doing what she feels she must do.

Roarke has no reason to lie to Tattoo (well, unless he’s trying to amuse himself by telling Tattoo he’s drank invisibility potion or something like that (3×20 “Nona/One Million B.C.” )). Now, Roarke could have just said outright “I did not have sexual relations with that woman”, but even though Roarke trusts Tattoo and they’re best friends and everything, Roarke is often vague with Tattoo (see pretty much every answer to Tattoo’s “what’s their fantasy?” in the opening scenes). So this conversation is super in-character for Roarke and Tattoo.

Anyway, when Fran was shouting at Roarke in the restaurant, she said something like he may be the father of her child, or if he’s the father of her child, which would imply she was with multiple guys at that time, which seems like not a wise thing to say loudly in public as a woman.

How many countries has Colonial Street been? Mexico (2×11 “Carnival”), Germany (2×12 “Stalag 3”), Romania (2×13 “Vampire”), now England…

I can’t tell what date it is, but Roarke’s calendar is clearly not open to this episode’s air date (February 6) like it was in 4×6 “Jack the Ripper” and 5×14 “Daddy’s Little Girl”… I wonder if last episode was just a fluke.

I’ve never noticed before, but Roarke and Tattoo’s vests have totally different buttons, and that bothers me; I want their suits to be exactly the same. Also, Roarke’s vest looks different; it almost looks like it’s made out of t-shirt material here, but I think it’s just the lightning/positioning.

Roarke: I’m very worried about the little girl.
Tattoo: You… you mean… she’s your daughter?

I don’t know how Tattoo came to that conclusion from that statement. But Roarke doesn’t correct him either, which is very Roarke.

“Fantasy Island Hall of Records”, lol. How convenient.

I’ve just realized how easy it would be to make art for a Fantasy Island game; for the locations, I really just need to draw the dock, the main house, and then that little village copied and pasted fifty times over with different signs on the front.

Miss Vinton: She came here to place your child’s birth certificate on record with us.
Roarke: I see.
Miss Vinton: She also inquired about enrolling the child in school. I had her fill this out.

There’s a nice closeup of the application. November 7, 1981 would seem to be the filming date of this episode; then we’ve got a seemingly real street address; there’s Nancy’s date of birth, and…

Father’s name: Mr. Roarke

November 7, 1981 was a Saturday, and fantasies always take place over the weekend, so maybe the actual filming date was a few days before or after, and they’ve just adjusted it to be on a Saturday.

Roarke’s calendar in his office was open to a day a bit past halfway through the year — maybe July or August — so the calendar isn’t consistent with the air date or the filming date. Roarke could have been booking a fantasy for next year though, so the calendar doesn’t really mean anything.

I tried looking up 12015 Eooleston (Cooleston?) Drive in San Francisco, but it doesn’t seem to exist, so I guess it’s not a real address. At least, not anymore.

Miss Vinton is a beeeyotch.

[Roarke is visiting Fran Warner in her bungalow. Nancy comes out of her room.]
Me: “Are you my daddy?”
Nancy: Are you my… daddy?

Fran and Roarke didn’t get to talk much in private before Nancy interrupted them, but the way they were talking makes me feel like she and Roarke did not have a relationship, and she knows that he knows that there’s no way Nancy is his daughter.

I’m not really paying attention to the Sherlock fantasy, but I hear someone talking in a completely ridiculous voice, so I looked up, because I assume it’s gotta be Roarke.

I honestly wasn’t sure it was him at first — they did a good job with the disguise here — but the arms give it away.

Dr. Randolph: I only wish I’d brought you some good news.
Tattoo: Is Nancy sick?
Roarke: I don’t think it’s Nancy, Tattoo; I think it’s her mother. Am I right, doctor?
Dr. Randolph: Yes.

Ugggh. That should be confidential.

Dr. Randolph: She doesn’t have much longer to live.

Come on, don’t look so surprised, Roarke.

The calendar appears to be on the 18th now.

Dr. Randolph: It’s a shame. She’s a wonderful lady, isn’t she?
Roarke: Yes, she is, doctor.

Mmm, no, she’s not? She just loudly accused you of being a deadbeat dad in a packed restaurant.

Dr. Randolph: Mr. Roarke sent for me.
Fran Warner: Did you tell him? You had no right to tell him.

She’s right.

They’re searching for Nancy using torches? They don’t have flashlights on Fantasy Island?

It’s a bit strange that they all call her Mrs. Warner instead of Miss Warner.

I think a few of the drivers are among the group looking for Nancy. This looks like That Guy.

Nancy Warner: I heard him talking. He said he really wasn’t my father. You lied to me.
Roarke: Oh, no, Nancy. No, I didn’t lie to you. I never actually said I was your father, did I?

Again, this is pure Roarke “that’s not what you/I said”… but you can’t pull that on a child. That’s just cruel.

Roarke: I have a goddaughter. Her name is Julie. She’s a lovely young lady. I’m sure you’d like her very much. And do you know what she would like very much? Very, very much? A little sister. Someone exactly like you.
Nancy Warner: Then I could be your goddaughter too?
Roarke: Of course.

Roarke seems to have a collection of goddaughters, and it’s a little creepy.

Roarke: Mrs. Warner, I just left Dr. Randolph, and he is very excited about the results of your latest tests.
Fran Warner: What do you mean?
Roarke: It seems there are signs of significant remission in your illness. Although there are no guarantees, Dr. Randolph feels that in time, you stand an excellent chance of complete recovery.

Again, sharing medical information with someone who isn’t the patient. When did this stop being a thing? Because the same thing happened ten years earlier in Love Story; I thought by the ’80s, women had a little more control over their own bodies, but I guess not.

I think we’re meant to assume Roarke has something to do with Fran’s recovery, because earlier, when Fran was about to tell Nancy about her illness, Roarke stopped her. Which… like… if Roarke is capable of healing Nancy, why didn’t he do that for Helena in 3×7 “The Wedding”? Why doesn’t he do that for Tattoo in 6×21 “Remember… When?” I don’t remember his excuse for Helena, but for Tattoo, he said he couldn’t change the past, and whatever happened happened. But he doesn’t need to change the past; he just needs to initiate a “miraculous” recovery.

Roarke: Never have I been more pleased with the outcome of a fantasy.

Wow. That’s… something.

• Julie’s outfit: pants
• Where’s Tattoo?
  • Roarke: Have you seen Julie?
    Tattoo: Oh, she’s still working on Custer’s Last Stand fantasy.
    Roarke: Custer’s Last Stand? Oh, yes, yes, of course. How is she progressing?
    [A horse with a bunch of arrows sticking out of its back runs by.]
    Roarke: Well, we’ll proceed without Julie; she may be delayed for some time.]
• Drivers:
  • To the dock: Wally
  • Kevin Lansing’s departure: That Guy
• Guests:
  • Mr. Kevin Lansing, an ex-Marine corps MP, now employed as a department store security guard
  • Mrs. Fran Warner and her daughter Nancy
• Recurring phrases:
  • Roarke: Adorable child. As you can see, she has her mother’s good looks.
    Tattoo: Indeed.
  • Kevin Lansing: Mr. Roarke?
    Roarke: Yes?
    Kevin Lansing: When does my fantasy begin?
    Roarke: Very shortly, Mr. Lansing. Very shortly.
  • Fran Warner: She’s in our bungalow; it was a long flight.
    Roarke: Oh, indeed.
• Roarke’s drink: same old
• Ominous shot of Roarke drinking: nope
• Magic object:
  • [Okay, it’s probably not magic, but it’s presented the same way a magic object would be.]
    Roarke: In fact, this envelope contains a letter of introduction to the most famous detective of all time. Oh, no no no no no. You must not open it. Not until you’ve arrived at your destination.
• Magic door:
  • Roarke: Your fantasy begins just beyond that door. This way, Mr. Lansing.
• Magic room: It’s just a black room again, with images of London superimposed over Kevin Lansing and Roarke as they walk through this now gigantic room.
• Disappearing act:
  • Kevin Lansing: Am I really gonna meet Sherlock Holmes, Mr. — Mr. Roarke? Hey!
• First name basis:
  • Roarke: Lana, will you send a round of complimentary drinks to that table in the corner, please? Thank you.
  • Roarke: Excellent, Henri, excellent.
• Employees:
  • Lana works at the tiki restaurant.
  • Miss Vinton works at the Fantasy Island Hall of Records.
  • Henri is a chef.
• Locations:
  • 221 B Baker Street
  • Dartmoor Sanatorium
  • Fantasy Island Hall of Records
  • The Fox & Hounds pub
• I’m a believer:
  • Kevin Lansing: How do I know I can believe you?
    [She kisses him.]
    Kevin Lansing: I believe, I believe.
  • Fran Warner: We should have found her by now.
    Roarke: And we will find her, Mrs. Warner; you must believe that.
• Surprise guests: Dr. Randolph, Fran Warner’s family doctor
• Roarke in disguise: As a patient playing chess at the sanatorium.
• Leaving with an extra guest: Kevin Lansing with new girlfriend Miss James
• Someone else had a fantasy:
  • Kevin Lansing: That’s Miss Heavenly!
    Roarke: Oh no, no, Mr. Lansing. That lady is Miss James. She’s here to fulfill her own fantasy. But oddly enough, she is employed in the same department store as you. I wouldn’t be surprised if the two of you should meet in the coffee shop one day in the near future.
• Not leaving on the plane: Fran and Nancy Warner seem to be staying on Fantasy Island, until Fran learns she isn’t going to die, so presumably, they’ll just be leaving on a later flight.
• Age gap:
  • Laraine Stephens: 40 / Ricardo Montalban: 61 = 21 years
  • Rita Jenrette: 32 / Ron Ely: 43 = 11 years