Jencyclopedia

Picard wants to take Fantasy Island from Khan Roarke, so they compete in three challenges: jousting, dueling, and singing “Greensleeves” chess, arm wrestling, and performing a selfless act to get back into the Q continuum.
Kim Darby wants to meet a man who will do anything for her, so Roarke gives her a genie.

I remember this was a good episode, and I liked both fantasies.

I don’t like when there’s no Julie and no explanation of no Julie. (I don’t like when there’s no explanation of no Tattoo either though.)

Roarke: She is the manager of a florist shop.
Tattoo: If she came here to find some pretty flowers, she came to the right place. Right, boss?

I hope she likes red flowers, because she’s not gonna see much more than that.

Douglas Picard: This island was originally purchased by a Captain Verdugo, who sailed with the Spanish Armada. They transferred the deed to this island on June 27th — Justin? — 15…?
Justin Rothwell: 1588.

I think this is the first time we’re learning anything about the history of Fantasy Island. Searching for Verdugo and Spanish Armada returns results about Francisco Verdugo. I don’t know anything about this guy or this period in history, but it sounds like a bunch of ships sailed from Spain to try to invade England. This happened between May and August 1588. So if this guy is busy fighting a war, why would he be transferring a deed to an island? Also, it’s unclear who “they” is referring to; who transferred the deed, and who did they transfer it to? Also, what does a Spanish guy in 1588 want an island in (as far as we know) the Pacific Ocean for?

Roarke: May I ask how this document happened to come into your possession, Mr. Picard?
Douglas Picard: Quite by accident. I recently bought a villa in Madrid that was built originally by that same Captain Verdugo. It stayed within his family for the last four centuries.
Justin Rothwell: The purchase price included all other assets, and we found the deed to this island among them. I can assure you that it’s valid.

Okay, but… if Verdugo transferred the deed, the island now belongs to someone else. So the original deed that they found means nothing? I know nothing about Spain or the 1500s or property law, but this doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

Roarke tells Tattoo to take Rebecca to the lagoon, and that’s where she’ll find her perfect husband. They wait and wait, but no one comes. The first time I saw this episode, I thought maybe Tattoo was supposed to be her perfect man.

But instead, they find a genie, and he grants her three wishes. And heeere’s where she meets prince charming, but she won’t discover that it’s him ’til act three.

That’s interesting that there’s a guest bungalow sign there; we’ve only ever seen these signs in front of the bungalows before.

Douglas Picard: Do you play chess, Mr. Roarke?
Roarke: On occasion, Mr. Picard. On occasion.

Roarke used to play a lot of chess in season 1, didn’t he? I didn’t realize that kind of went away.

Joe Aristofeles: Well, look. About this perfect husband. Maybe if you could tell me what kind of man you’re looking for, I could come up with something.
Rebecca Walters: Alright. Um… nothing too unusual, you know? And he has to be, um… courteous.

Courtesy, always the most important quality in a man for women on Fantasy Island.

Even the chess board on Fantasy Island is red and white.

Tattoo: Boss, I think Miss Picard likes you.

This is funny, because Samantha Eggar (who played Helena Marsh in 2×8 “Return” and 3×7 “Wedding”) also played Marie Picard in TNG.

The winter wonderland scene is one of my favourites. That’s really what started me on my journey of making 700 (and counting) Fantasy Island GIFs.

Roarke: I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for genies.

That seems like a weird thing to say.

There’s a good shot of that corner in the hallway… that corner that shouldn’t exist.

Okay, this time I know we’ve seen this shot before, in 5×7 “The Perfect Husband”.

Roarke: To Fantasy Island… and to your sister.

• Julie’s outfit: pants
• Where’s Julie?
  
• Drivers:
  • To the dock: Wally
  • The Picards’ departure: Wally
  • Rebecca Walters’ departure: That Guy
• Guests:
  • Miss Rebecca Walters, the manager of a florist shop
  • Mr. Douglas Picard, a shipping tycoon; his sister Eunice; and his financial advisor, Mr. Justin Rothwell
• Ominous Roarke:
  • Roarke: I think she’ll soon discover that finding that kind of man could be a most unnerving experience…
  • Roarke: I think you’ll find Mr. Picard’s fantasy is one of the most unusual and challenging to ever confront us, Tattoo.
• Roarke’s drink: same old
• Ominous shot of Roarke drinking: very ominous, because he knows he has to battle Picard this episode
• A legal matter:
  • Roarke: When you consider the antiquity of this document, I am curious to see how an international tribunal would resolve this matter.
• Recurring phrases:
  • Eunice Picard: I know how much Fantasy Island means to you.
    Roarke: Indeed.
• Costume change: Roarke wears a sparkly white bowtie and white tuxedo to the arm wrestling match and the party.
• Roarke’s powers: He beamed some makeup and a dress onto Eunice Picard.
• Leaving with an extra guest: Rebecca Walters with new husband ex-genie Joe
• Age gap:
  • Jane Powell: 52 / Ricardo Montalban: 61 = 9 years
  • Kim Darby: 34 / Larry Linville: 42 = 8 years