User Reviews

First of all, I found it a bit strange that Porter was being so prideful as to want to name a whole island after themselves. It was a bit inconceivable that his sons could do the mapping out of a while island, that they could gain their own island, and that the highers up would go for something like this. Even more inconceivable, however, is that fact that Porter left a seventeen year old and a thirteen year old boy on this island for two days by themselves!

Luke Hapin (Sandy) did an wonderful job in playing the protective big brother in this episode. His caution of protecting Bud, his responses (or lack of responses) to the bad guys, and his patience for help to come while doing exactly as he was told to do showed great character in Sandy. Even Bud's behavior surprised me when he did exactly what he should do. And Porter's quick response was in order.

The second paragraph is the reason I gave this such a high review. I do NOT think Porter should have left the boys alone like he did. Although Sandy acts mature at times, there's no telling what dangers lurk on a deserted island...I hope he learned a lesson!

This episode is more like what you'd expect from boys the age of Sandy and Bud - it has excitement, it has the gorgeous scenery of a tropical island and it has political intrigue.

Porter leaves the boys for a 2 day camp out on what they thought was a deserted island off the coast. They set up an cool camp with separate tents for their various tasks and they set off to explore the island. When they find a hidden boat and a stash of guns and ammunition they race back to their camp only to find their boat and radio sabotaged.

Sandy thinks fast and decides to sneak the hidden boat to find help sending Bud into the woods to hide. His plan is foiled by a revolutionary and his nephew - a kid about Sandy's age. Sandy is very mature under pressure and refuses to answer any questions and demands to know why their stuff was taken, what they are up to and what their plans are.

Flipper finds Bud who sneaks near where Sandy is held at gun point and overhears the gun running plan. He asks asks Flipper to tow the motor-less skiff to the mainland but abandons that in favor of Flipper racing off to alert Porter and hiding he and the boat up-shore from the camp. Sandy is pressed into carrying the heavy boxes of guns onto the beach.

Meanwhile Porter covers the logo on the float plane and decides to lure the gunrunner to the plane. Bud is supposed to hide but pops his head up long enough for the bandit to see him and he takes aim with his submachine gun but his shot is deflected by Flipper tipping over the boat. That's enough time for Porter to dive in the water and wrestle the gunrunner who then tells his nephew to shoot Sandy. Sandy's poise and calm and his helping this boy makes such an instruction very difficult but there is a brief worrying moment that he contemplates such an act.

The boys were told at the beginning that this island was up for naming and they contemplated calling it Ricks Island. Bud wants Gunrunners Is and Porter suggests Flippers Is since he played such a big role in rescuing the boys. Lots to like in this episode. Bud is pretty responsible - Sandy acts like an adult - both boys are in their element: in the tropical wilderness in just their cut offs!