One night, the Skipper and Gilligan hear on the radio that the Howell holdings have been completely wiped out. Even after the other Castaways manage to break the unhappy news to the couple, things go wrong as the Howells attempt to learn lower-class ways so they can survive in outside civilization.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Broke Episode: The episode features the Howells learning their holdings have been wiped out. However, the difference isn't as clear as it is in most episodes of this kind: the other Castaways don't treat them differently and they live in the same house. The main jokes surrounding the incident are the Howells bemoaning the event and the other Castaways trying to teach them lower-class jobs.
- Description Cut: The Skipper discusses the news with the Professor, who says that he's sure Mr. Howell is taking the blow like a man. Then the scene cuts to Mr. Howell having a sobbing breakdown in his and his wife's hut.
- Driven to Suicide: Mr. Howell decides to kill himself after finding out the terrible news, though he backs down from it after he can't find any comfortable ways to do it. Both of the Howells try it again near the end of the episode, but thankfully, their fellow Castaways catch up to them with the news that there was a mistake.
- Financial Test of Friendship: When Mrs. Howell tries to comfort her grieving husband with the thought of the friends they have, Mr. Howell scoffs that he knows he's an irritating bore and people only like him because of his wealth. The other Castaways, of course, contradict this; they don't treat the Howells any differently and try their best to train them to make a living once they escape the island.
- Good News, Bad News: While looking for the Howells, the Skipper and Gilligan learn from the Professor that Mr. Howell's "polo pony" (a bamboo dummy) has a broken leg that needs fixing. Gilligan suggests that they tell him that along with the news about the money so that Mr. Howell isn't as hurt by the news that his "pony" is broken.
- Gratuitous French: While acting as a butler, Mr. Howell attempts a French accent and uses the phrase soup du jour. Neither Gilligan nor the Skipper know what it means, but fortunately the Professor does.
- Lethal Chef: Mrs. Howell doesn't know how to cook. While trying to learn how to be a domestic worker, she boils coconuts until the milk boils, causing them to explode and shower everyone at the table with shredded coconut.
- Long-Lasting Last Words: After the Howells learn about the announcement, Ginger tries to teach Mrs. Howell acting so she can get a job when they're rescued. Unsatisfied with the woodenness of the other woman's delivery, she does a sample death scene, moaning that she's dying for several minutes while changing positions periodically. When Mrs. Howell applauds, Ginger objects that she's not finished.
- Obnoxious In-Laws: While looking for a way to commit suicide, Mr. Howell notices a certain kind of berry that produces body hair while turning your teeth into fangs and your hands into claws. He comments that his mother-in-law must have kept a bunch of them around.
- Poor Communication Kills: The conflict is driven by the radio announcer saying "Howell" rather than "Powell."
- Pun-Based Title: The title is a pun on "organized labor."
- Series Continuity Error: Mrs. Howell's complete lack of domestic skills contradicts the earlier episodes "Three Million Dollars, More or Less" and "The Matchmaker."
- Suicide as Comedy: The Howells attempt to commit suicide after learning they're flat broke. However, the event is largely Played for Laughs as the couple have Skewed Priorities or say silly things (like Mrs. Howell saying poverty is the only reason she can't stand life as a poor woman).
- Suicide by Sea: One of Mr. Howell's ideas for killing himself (which he got from a movie) is walking into the ocean.
