Wanda tells the kids about Blackbeard's horseshoe, which is said to be hidden inside the condemned Trumbull Barn. Sam wants to find it, and she persuades the boys to join her. Her adventurous spirit reminds Wishbone of Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
This is the second of three episodes based on a Robert Louis Stevenson novel, coming between "Mixed Breeds," which adapted The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and "War of the Noses," which adapted The Black Arrow.
Incidentally, this version of Treasure Island predates Muppet Treasure Island by just three months. This is also one of the episodes that was written by Mo Rocca.
One tie-in book was released — The Adventures of Wishbone #2: Salty Dog, a straight adaptation of the episode.
Tropes
- Black Spot: As per the original novel, Billy Bones dies shortly after receiving the black spot.
- Hollywood Fire: Downplayed. Joe and David start coughing after a fire starts in the barn where they are trapped with Sam. They shout for Sam to hurry because it's getting hard to see and breathe with the smoke. Nevertheless, they manage to work together to get Sam safely outside where she can unlock the door and free them. They cough outside just as the adults come, and presumably, the boys get treatment for smoke inhalation. By the end of the episode a few days later, they're fine.
- It's All My Fault: Sam's thoughts on getting herself, Joe, and David trapped in the condemned barn. She makes up for it by getting them all out during a fire with minimal injury.
- Little Stowaway: When the Hispaniola arrives at the island, Jim is ordered to stay in his cabin, but he sneaks ashore anyway because, "I wanted to help, and I needed adventure."
- MacGuffin: Blackbeard's horseshoe in the modern-day story.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Interestingly, this episode both plays it straight and averts it. Sam insists on going into the barn to look for Blackbeard's horseshoe, and the trio gets trapped inside. That would be the playing it straight. Later, the barn catches on fire, and Sam manages to get herself and the boys out with minimal injuries. She then proceeds to apologize to which the boys respond by pointing out that she saved their lives.
- Pirate Parrot: The Treasure Island adaptation features the Trope Maker, Long John Silver's parrot Captain Flint.
- Seadog Peg Leg: Long John Silver, who incidentally did not actually have a peg leg in the original book. That came from later adaptations. Nonetheless, he has one here.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome:
- The main trio becomes trapped in a condemned barn. Partway through, Joe and David charge the door with the intent to break it down... and bounce off with groans that are equal parts pain and frustration while the door remains un-budged.
- Likewise, Sam wanted to go inside the barn to find Blackbeard's horseshoe. Wanda and Ellen tell her no one is allowed inside because it's condemned. Part of the reason the barn is getting demolished is for safety purposes. Sure enough, Sam convinces Joe and David they could at least look a little... and the door slams shut due to it being old and rickety, trapping them inside. They also nearly burn alive when a fire starts in the hay. Sam's dad also tells her later he was scared when she and the others went missing and what she did was dangerous.
- Timmy in a Well: Wishbone finds a hole in the barn and digs through the straw to make an opening big enough for him. The kids realize this means he can get help, since Wishbone is super smart, and Sam tucks the flyer for the barn into his collar so the adults will know where they went.Wishbone: Eat your heart out, Lassie.
- Treasure Map: Wishbone as Jim gets one from Billy Bones after he dies.
- What the Hell, Hero?: After the trio gets out of the burning barn, Sam gives herself one of these speeches because it was her fault for getting them in there in the first place. Joe and David's opinions on the other hand...Joe: [incredulous] Sorry? You rescued us! You let us out!
David: Yeah, you saved our lives! - Wooden Ships and Iron Men: The setting for the Treasure Island adaptation, of course.
