Ginger's stay on the island has caused her to miss her stage debut, and she's inconsolable...until Gilligan talks Mr. Howell into producing the show, first on the island and then back in civilization. Unfortunately, matters off the stage quickly result in Ginger once again being sidelined.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Agitated Item Stomping: In a temper over actress problems, Mr. Howell stomps on his hat.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Mrs. Howell tells her husband to wipe off the kiss Ginger gave him in gratitude. When he remarks multiple times on how beautiful Ginger looks as Cleopatra, Mrs. Howell finagles her way into the role.
- Driven to Suicide: After being deprived of her debut, forced out of the lead role by Mrs. Howell, and dealing with Gilligan's not-entirely-helpful attempts to cheer her up, Ginger says she may do something desperate.
- Get Out!: After Gilligan utterly fails to cheer up Ginger and possibly makes things much worse, Mary Ann tells him to leave and ultimately chases him out with a bamboo pole when he misses the message.
- Hypocritical Humor: When Gilligan breaks the news that Ginger refuses to play the maid's role, in the middle of rehearsal, Mr. Howell criticizes her for being a temperamental child...while he's having a rather childish temper tantrum over being thwarted in his directorial efforts.
- "I Can't Look!" Gesture: When the Skipper suffers a Wardrobe Malfunction, Mary Ann covers her eyes.
- Let's Split Up, Gang!: While they're looking for Ginger, the Skipper decides that they won't find her very fast if they stick together and suggests they separate. Gilligan initially mistakes it for a more permanent separation and then goes in the opposite direction to the one the Skipper sent him.
- Parental Substitute: The Skipper tells Gilligan that they should separate (to look for Ginger). Gilligan protests, saying that they've been partners for too long and the Skipper is like his father.
- Polly Wants a Microphone: At the beginning, a parrot imitates Gilligan while he and the Skipper are calling for Ginger. When the Skipper asks what Gilligan thought of his performance, the parrot again repeats Gilligan's uncomplimentary words about the topic, as well as telling the Skipper who said them.
- Running Gag: Gilligan keeps mistaking Cleopatra's line about seeing a ship for a real ship.
- The Show Must Go Wrong: In addition to the drama surrounding Ginger and Mrs. Howell vying for the lead role, the play has to deal with the Skipper constantly flubbing his lines and Gilligan breaking the ladder the Professor is using to paint the set. When Mrs. Howell apparently loses her voice, Mr. Howell considers it the last straw...until Gilligan suggests that he could have Ginger take over as Cleopatra again. Even during the play itself, there are some problems like Gilligan accidentally ripping off the Skipper's costume.
- Too Unhappy to Be Hungry: Ginger is initially too upset to eat, even when Mary Ann brings her a big plate of food.
- The Triple: Gilligan, trying to talk Mr. Howell into putting on the play, suggests that it would give him prestige. Mr. Howell says he already has that. Gilligan says it could make a million dollars, which Mr. Howell says he also has. Then Gilligan suggests that he could deduct it from his taxes if it flops, which gets Mr. Howell's attention.
- Wardrobe Malfunction: As the Skipper (Marc Antony) is entering to greet his beloved Cleopatra, Gilligan accidentally steps on his toga, resulting in it coming off and exposing his boxers.
- Worse with Context: Mrs. Howell says that Ginger compared her to a well-known television star...and then asks her husband who Mr. Ed is. Neither of them has any idea that Ginger just called Mrs. Howell a horse.
