This episode should have been the debut, rather than "Off Limits".
"The Loners" has everything that is a Gilligan episode: after finishing chores, Gilligan decides to kick back and read a comic book. But everywhere he goes, he finds someone else looking for time to himself or herself. Everybody needs "me" time, and the castaways are no exception. In fact, being marooned on a deserted island with six other people can get downright annoying after a while. Which is why each one of the castaways leaves the compound for their own personal space. Eventually, the island is divided up by walls. Walls with no doors. Gilligan is left alone in the compound. There's a wacky sequence where he imitates the rest of the gang, carrying on a conversation by himself with each one of them. As The Professor, he finally comes tot he conclusion that he's all alone. He's built his own wall with no door around the compound. To find a way out, he decides to dig, and then finds something worth telling the others about.
This is one of the few episodes that balances a situation with a way to get off the island. Usually the episodes are about some situation where they all have to learn a lesson about getting along. What's cool is that this situation seems more "realistic" balanced with a chance at rescue! This as listed as the eighth episode of the series, it's ninth on the complete series DVD collection. It's the best episode of the series - so far.