Whether you love him or hate him, it can't be denied that Spongebob Squarepants is a cultural icon. You may even find yourself talking about the show and quoting from episodes. This is actually how the idea for this post came about. A conversation with a friend at work led to discussing the top 3 episodes of Spongebob. And then I thought, "Why just 3? There's surely more great episodes that deserve recognition". And so I bring you, THE TOP 11 EPISODES OF SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!
Now before I start the countdown, I do want to make things clear.
* This is all personal opinion based.
* I may do a little over-analyzing in some areas and delve into some harsh language (it's my blog I do what I want).
* Most importantly, this list only contains episodes from the first three seasons. It's just how it came about. I'm not saying that later seasons don't have their moments, but much like the Simpsons, the early seasons are definitely considered the best. I would consider doing best and worst lists for modern Spongebob episodes (season 4 and up), but it's not a top priority.
All that said, let us begin.
11. NATURE PANTS
PLOT: Deciding to make his dream a reality, Spongebob decides to leave behind civilized society to live wild among the jellyfish.
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: To be totally honest, I never really cared for this episode as a kid. In fact, the aspect I always found weird about this episode was how they tried to cover up Spongebob while he was naked. I mean, he doesn't really have anything. So why does this make my list, albeit at the bottom? Because of the scene where Patrick, distraught from losing his best friend, decides to get Spongebob back by hunting him like the jellyfish he wants to be. "If I can't have you as a friend, I'm gonna make you a trophy! I even picked out this nice jar for you." And even my mom, who hates Spongebob, loved this moment. She'll deny it, but this is her favorite episode of Spongebob.
10. FRANKENDOODLE
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: Did you ever wonder what it would be like if Spongebob was a complete psychopath...before later episodes make him act like a complete psychopath? Add in the violent tendencies, and you would pretty much get Doodle-Bob. To the episode's credit, it does go an interesting path from Spongebob and Patrick using the pencil for hijinks before becoming something of a heroic quest. Plus, it's an creative variation of an evil twin story. Besides that, it delivers some hilarious Patrick moments, from his "Finland!" quote and when he forgets what's going on thinking that they're going to surprise Doodle-Bob for his birthday (which it kind of is) and ends up getting a rock to the head. And I just love the quote from Spongebob when he thinks he's defeated Doodle-Bob. "I AM SPONGEBOB! DESTROYER OF EVIL!" It's such a good episode, you can just ignore why a pencil from the human world has magical properties under water.
9. ROCK BOTTOM
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: For the longest time, this was the only other town besides Bikini Bottom that we had seen under the sea, and I think the animators of this episode used this opportunity to get really creative and draw as many freaky fish as they could. I didn't realize it originally, but learning later in school about how some of the uglier fish lived in a deeper and darker level of the ocean, I got why the fish of Rock Bottom were so scary. Having their own *pfft* accent was a *pfft* nice touch *pfft* too. What also makes this episode stand out is that it's one of those rare moments where Spongebob legitimately get angry and pushed to his limits. Who can blame him? I don't remember how many buses stopped and drove off without, but they only waited for half a second. What a punch of douches.
8. GRAVEYARD SHIFT
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: Have you ever been so scared that you start to eat your own arms repeatedly and even scream out of your eyes? Keeping with the freaky tone from my last pick, this is probably the scariest episode of the early Spongebob seasons. We know at first that Squidward is making up the story, but when his story starts coming true, you can't help but start to get scared. And when the Slasher finally appears outside the Krusty Krab, THAT'S WHEN YOU START FREAKING OUT! You have no idea what's going to happen to Spongebob and Squidward! And then...the twist ending (which I will not spoil here, even though I'm sure everyone's seen it)! But if there's one lesson to learn from this episode, it's that if the lights start to flicker on and off, it's just Nosferatu.
7. BUBBLE BUDDY
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: On the surface, this is a pretty cute episode and a nice variation of an imaginary friend story. But when you really stop to think about it, this is actually a really dark episode. This is one of those episodes where Spongebob drives everyone in town crazy, but in this episode, it gets to the point of violence and paranoia. One of the fish upset about Bubble Buddy throws out ideas of what he'll do to ruin their lives further. It's like what Fox News does to (insert oppressed minority here). The upset fish even almost harm an innocent lifeguard before Squidward stops them and leads them on a mission to pop Bubble Buddy. Then we get the twist ending that Bubble Buddy is indeed alive and everyone is cool with it. If he was alive the whole time and not Spongebob's imagination, then that just makes it worse. For one thing, he spent two hours in a port-o-potty. What prick does that? But let's not forget the big thing. After burying Scooter in the sand, Spongebob leaves to get snacks and tells Bubble Buddy to dig him up before the tide comes in. What ends up happening? Oh, nothing...except that Scooter DIES!
The sentient bubble just stood there and watched Scooter as he drowned (let's not bring logic into a cartoon about a fish drowning). Bubble Buddy is one cold motherfucker, and he had to get out of town because people were catching on to his act. Who knows what kind of sick crap he did when he left town?
Am I reading too much into this? Probably. But sometimes it's fun to over analyze things. It's still an entertaining episode. Plus, it's because of this episode that we know about Leif Erikson Day. Hinga dinga durgen!
6. THE CAMPING EPISODE
PLOT: Squidward joins Spongebob and Patrick in their backyard campout after a perceived taunt.
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: There's two things that make this episode stand out. The most obvious thing is the Campfire Song Song. Let's be honest, we've all tried singing along and either succeeded or failed. The other thing is what I believe to be the only appearance on the show by the believed-to-be mythical Sea Bear (and to extension the Sea Rhinoceros). It's just hilarious to see Squidward get beat up by it no matter what he does. (SQUIDWARD: "What'd I do that time?" SPONGEBOB: "I don't know, I guess he just doesn't like you.") Not much to say about this one, but it's definitely one of the best.
5. CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?
PLOT: After being accused of stealing Mr. Krabs' first dime, a fed-up Squidward quits the Krusty Krab. Winding up having a tough time finding work, Squidward eventually ends up staying with Spongebob and takes advantage of his hospitality.
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: Squidward always brags about how better he is than everyone. So what happens when he tries to make it out there on his own? He fails miserably. Winding up homeless, this is the lowest we've ever seen Squidward, and you can't help but feel sorry for him. But when he starts acting like his snooty self again and treating Spongebob like a slave, that sympathy is gone. In a way, the roles are reversed in this episode with Spongebob being the one annoyed by Squidward instead of the other way around. This is another instance where Spongebob gets really angry and is pushed to his limits, even more so than in "Rock Bottom" as when Squidward doesn't get Spongebob's hints about getting a job, he screams throws himself and Squidward out the side of his house and drags him to the Krusty Krab. Spongebob even starts choking out Krabs when he won't hire Squidward back initially.
I think in some way, Squidward's situation is relatable in this episode, especially for twenty-somethings coming out of college. Tell me if this sounds like anyone you know: they believe they're meant for something more, but they're afraid nothing will come along and that they''ll be stuck in a minimum wage job. They're also still living with a caretaker who will reach their limit and want them out of their house. Blow your mind yet?
4. BIG PINK LOSER
PLOT: Depressed about never accomplishing anything, Patrick gets a job at the Krusty Krab thanks to Spongebob. But success doesn't come as easy as the starfish thinks.
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: When I was younger, I always thought it would make for Patrick to work with both Spongebob and Squidward. Looking back now, this episode explains it wouldn't work. While it would be considered mean anywhere else, it's just hilarious to watch Patrick screw up at each job he does, from eating a customer's order three times to answering the phone incorrectly. (CALLER: "Is this the Krusty Krab?" PATRICK: "No! This is Patrick!") It even takes Patrick over a minute to learn how open a jar from Spongebob. It's even more hilarious to watch Patrick copy Spongebob as much as he can.
Hilarious from start to finish, this is an episode me and friend would reenact all the time back in grade school.
3. BAND GEEKS
PLOT: Wanting to show up his old high school rival Squilliam, Squidward only has days to put together a marching band to perform at the Bubble Bowl.
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: Oh we all know why this episode makes the list. Who didn't rock out to the episode's ending performance of "Sweet Victory"? It's so awesome, you just forget that they're playing for a human football game for some reason.
Besides that, this is one of the few episodes where Squidward succeeds at something and put Squilliam in his place, despite having really nothing to do with putting together the band's performance. But I guess many people takes credit for others' work, so good for Squidward. It's just too bad he ends up going back to the Krusty Krab afterwards.
2. CHOCOLATE WITH NUTS
PLOT: Inspired by Squidwards' fancy living magazine, Spongebob and Patrick set out to become entrepreneurs by selling chocolate bars, but don't have the results they expect.
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: This is another episode that is hilarious from start to finish. Patrick has his funny moments from telling a potential customer "I love you" and focusing deeply on another. Then you have the really old fish in a wheelchair who remembers "when they first invented chocolate" and that she "ALWAYS HATED IT!". But of course, we all know the best part of this episode. I wouldn't do any justice describing it, so here's the video.
If you don't think of this guy when ever someone says chocolate, you are missing a grand piece of humor in your life.
And finally, the number one episode of Spongebob is...
PIZZA DELIVERY
PLOT: When someone calls the Krusty Krab for pizza, Mr. Krabs sends Spongebob and Squidward to deliver it, but of course it's doesn't go as smoothly as it should.
WHY IT MAKES THE LIST: I wouldn't go so far as to say this would be everyone's favorite episode of Spongebob, but it should definitely crack their top five. This is an episode I can recite almost verbatim. How can anyone forget the Krusty Krab Pizza song or Spongebob's excitement finding a rock to drive?
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But then you have this guy. Probably the biggest jerk in the whole history of Spongebob. The customer who ordered the pizza but wouldn't pay for it because they didn't bring him a drink he never ordered. Something must be seriously wrong with this guy. First off, he called a fast food restaurant for pizza. And does he seriously not have anything to drink in his fridge? This guy is so bad, that even Squidward stands up for Spongebob against this guy. SQUIDWARD STOOD UP FOR SPONGEBOB. I think if there's one thing that makes this episode memorable than anything else, it's that one moment.
And there you have it. My Top 11 Episodes of Spongebob. Agree? Disagree? Let me know.
I completely agree with your blog. From your cousin. Ashley Pullen
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