Ring Around Gilligan

Ring Around Gilligan is the 77th episode of Gilligan's Island and the ninth episode of the third season. It aired November 7, 1966.

Synopsis
Dr. Balinkoff returns to the island and uses rings to control the minds the castaways to rob Fort Knox!

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
 * Vito Scotti as Dr. Boris Balinkoff

Trivia

 * It's never revealed how Balinkoff got his body back after the events of The Friendly Physician; many fans suggest the episodes work better in reverse order. Another possibility is that since he already seems to know their names that the effects eventually reversed themselves.
 * Since Balinkoff is asleep when Ginger arrives in his cave, it's uncertain as to who gave her the instructions to smash the raft - unless it was an echo of the commands given to the Skipper.
 * This is possibly the most sinister and dark episode in the series as it has Balingkoff planning to brainwash the Castaways into committing crimes for him against their will.
 * Vito Scotti also portrays the Japanese Sailor in So Sorry, My Island Now and Diogenes, Won't You Please Go Home?.
 * Apparently, while Balinkoff's ring controls the higher motorary functions of the brain, it doesn't affect each person's sense of morality; hence, Ginger slapping Balinkoff when he pinches her cheek.
 * In an interview, Vito Scott remembered the monkey in this episode had no teeth, and when it tried biting him, it gummed him on the hand.

Quotes

 * Balinkoff: "Scientist, yes... mad, no!" (followed by creepy laughter)