Up at Bat

Up At Bat is the 71st episode of Gilligan's Island and the first episode of the third season. It aired September 12, 1966.

Synopsis
While storing supplies in a cave, Gilligan is bitten by what the Skipper believes to be a vampire bat and becomes convinced Gilligan will become a vampire. Gilligan's fear is perpetuated by the fact that he cannot see his reflection in Ginger's mirror which has lost all the silver on the back. After the Professor fails to talk sense into him, he mixes Gilligan a sedative to relieve his anxiety, telling him it will stop him from becoming a vampire, but that night, Gilligan sleepwalks and tries to bite Mrs. Howell on the neck, shaken out of his trance by Mr. Howell. By morning, the Skipper discovers Gilligan replaced by a bat in his hammock. He runs to tell the girls, but they don't believe him until a bat flies into their hut. The Professor comes to their rescue by catching the bat in a net. He reveals to them that the bats are actually fruit bats instead of vampire bats, but then they notice Gilligan missing, who has decided to flee camp to protect the Castaways from himself. That night, he has a dream that he's a vampire and Ginger is his wife. The Howells are his guests in his house with Mary Ann as his landlady. The Professor and Skipper appear as Inspector Sherlock and Colonel Watney to stop Gilligan from attacking the Howells, pummeling into submission at which time Gilligan wakes up to the Skipper shaking him and trying to tell him he was bitten by a fruit bat. Still thinking he's dreaming, he punches him in the stomach, taking a moment to realize the bat that bit him was a fruit bat. Annoyed at getting punched, the Skipper chases Gilligan back to camp. By night time, every thing is forgotten, and they're laughing at the fact that they were so foolish, but when a bat shows up at their hut, they start falling over each other to get out of the hut.

Credits
Main Cast
 * Bob Denver as Gilligan
 * Alan Hale Jr. as The Skipper
 * Jim Backus as Mr. Howell
 * Natalie Schafer as Mrs. Howell
 * Tina Louise as Ginger
 * Dawn Wells as Mary Ann
 * Russell Johnson as The Professor

Guest Cast
 * None

Trivia

 * As usual, Gilligan can't do anything right even as a Vampire. He jumps out a window forgetting to turn himself into a bat. He tries to hide in a alcove, but forgets he doesn't have an alcove. He only succeeds in biting Mr. Howell's Teddy bear.
 * In the dream, Ginger is Gilligan's bride, Mary Ann is his hideous landlord and the Howells are his wealthy guests. Russell Johnson is hilarious as "Inspector Sherlock" and Alan Hale as the bumbling sidekick "Colonel Whattley" in a Sherlock Holmes spoof.
 * The spooky set in Gilligan's dream was also used as Boris Balinkoff's castle.
 * Gilligan's dream is highlighted by a number of floating words similar to those in the 70s series "Batman," which it was competing for in ratings during the last season.

Quotes

 * Mr. Howell - "Even a five-year-old child will tell you there's no such thing as a vampire." Mrs. Howell - "There's a vampire..." Mr. Howell - "Last time I listen to a five-year-old child...."