Villainess Review: Eva Grubb (Gilligan's Island)

Gilligan's Island. What can I say about the show that hasn't been repeated on a loop for decades. This piece is actually one of two about the series that I had been wanting to write on here for the longest time. Much more about the show will be saved for another story, I promise you that. Regarding this, I know this much. The castaways dealt with quite a bit on that show, but while being on a deserted island is an immense hindrance, at least they're somehow safe from other elements.

However, regarding this instance, even a deserted island isn't safe from villainesses.

The episode, "All About Eva," began with a boat being shown operating on the lagoon. Someone's actually getting on the island! We see said someone emerge, and it's a woman, but there's something familiar about her. Can't place it. Anyway, the boat's discovered by The Skipper and Gilligan, and they search for the boat's owner. Gilligan manages to stumble (as only he can) into the mysterious woman, who shrieks and runs off before running into Skipper, who greets her and mentions the boat. The woman says that they can have the boat before breaking down into sobs, and she's asked what's wrong.

The backstory is given. The woman introduces herself as Eva Grubb, and she stated that she wanted to get way from all humankind, especially men. She always had trouble getting dates, but one day, she was set up on a blind date--who stood her up. That was the last straw, as Eva decided to save up enough to buy that boat and find a deserted island so she could be alone for the rest of her life. Despite Skipper's pleas against Eva's goals, Eva remained insistent on isolation, even making Skipper promise to leave her on the island.

Eva's introduced to Ginger, Mary Ann, the Professor, and the Howells, but Eva's repeated her focus to remain alone on the island. The septet are not the type to actually leave someone hanging, so they decide to take Eva along with them, but they swear to secrecy. Of course, Gilligan (again, as only he can) inadvertently spills the beans to Eva, and once he, Professor, and Skipper inspect the boat, they notice something missing: the spark plugs. This was not a long mystery, as Eva emerged and informed the trio that she took out the spark plugs after Gilligan spilled the beans. So they're not going anywhere.

Ginger and Mary Ann converse about Eva, and the conclusion is that a makeover would boost her confidence enough for her to want to return to civilization. With Mrs. Howell's help, Eva's wardrobe is changed, as she's given a new dress, and her hair color is changed, going from brunette to redhead.

The result:

Like we didn't see this coming. The result, of course, is Eva being a dead ringer for Ginger, though when she's told this by the girls and by the Professor, Eva thinks they're nuts. When she looks at herself in a mirror, Eva sees it big time, especially sans glasses (despite Eva being unable to see without them). Eva makes a stunning impression on the castaways, especially Gilligan, and afterwards, Eva returns the spark plugs, as she is now ready to return to civilization. So all is well, right?

If it was, there wouldn't be a need for this story.

Eva overhears Ginger and Mary Ann talking about her, mainly about how people will see her. Ginger says Eva's new look gives her poise and grace, but she's still Eva, who lacks that. Ginger says, "There's only one Ginger Grant."

Oh, she shouldn't have said that.

So later that evening, Eva meets with Ginger to express her gratitude over everything. However, here's what she was really planning:

I repeat: Like we didn't see that coming. So after Eva knocks out Ginger, we see Ginger tied up and gagged, with Eva boasting about how she fooled the others. Eva now reveals her overall plan: she'll pose as Ginger and leave the island with the other castaways, while leaving the real Ginger alone under the claim that "Eva" had disappeared. Eva (as Ginger) joins the other castaways at a farewell party, which sees the scheming Eva switch dress to pose as both herself and Ginger. Gilligan accidentally breaking Eva's pocketed glasses while dancing with "Ginger" served as the beginning of the ruse falling apart, and it's completed when the real Ginger emerges and reveals Eva's fiendish plan.

Eva runs off in embarrassment and apparent remorse, but the next day happens, and the castaways see that Eva and the boat were gone. Eva merely left a note boasting about fooling the castaways at the party, and she's convinced she can fool everyone into believing she's Ginger. She added that she's off to Hollywood to start an acting career, and even had the temerity to sign the note, "The new Ginger Grant." Wow!

"All About Eva," the 14th episode of Gilligan's Island's third and final season, aired on CBS on December 12, 1966. The episode saw Tina Louise pull double duty as both Ginger Grant and the episode's villainess, Eva Grubb, and it was a truly amazing sight. Eva Grubb is an anomaly; if you don't count the memorable dream sequences which casts the septet as alternate characters, Eva Grubb is the only actual villainess from the series. She never ceases to fascinate me. She starts out in "grey mouse" territory, angry at the world, but once the makeover happens, the confidence increases and becomes quite sinister. I was about six or seven years old when I first saw this episode reran on TV, and yet even at that young age, I could see Eva's heel turn coming. That new look came with a drive to do whatever it took, and Eva was willing to let Ginger remain on the island on her lonesome to get what she felt she deserved.

As for Tina Louise, she did the dual role thing very well, and she truly played Eva's ruthless nature very well in the climax of this episode. Without question, Eva Grubb is why this episode is among my favorites out of the entire series, but again, I will definitely deliver a deeper story about this iconic sitcom in due time.

If you like this story and review, click the heart and subscribe button, and feel free to comment below! Tips and pledges would be greatly appreciated, but only if you want to do so!

Check out Eva Grubb's profile on Villainous Beauties Wiki!