…………………………………………………

SpongeBob SquarePants Season 1 Review

SpongeBob SquarePants is an animated comedy series directed by Stephen Hillenburg that aired on Nickelodeon. The first season of the show premiered in 1999 and it consists of twenty episodes (41 segments).

………………………………………………….

“Wow, that’s the nicest thing

Squidward’s ever said to me!“

…………………………………………………..

I have always liked this show as a kid and teen, but now as an adult I still like it a lot, especially for its more mature elements and strong imagination. The world building is truly amazing here as the show explores its marine setting wonderfully, though of course not scientifically accurate whatsoever. The animation is simplistic, but gorgeous and colorful without ever being garish. The character design is its finest point as all characters look unique and different from other shows. The score is also great and very charming.

This show doesn’t have the biggest cast of characters, but that only works in its favor as all are thus superbly developed and unforgettable. SpongeBob himself is this very annoying, overloud, hyperactive brat, but also a genuinely endearing representation of the joys of childhood depending on your viewpoint, which makes his contentious relationship with Squidward all the more hilarious.

He is the type of annoyed, disgruntled man who just wants to be left alone. Being SpongeBob’s neighbor, that of course isn’t possible, leading to a lot of episodes where he gets frustrated endlessly by him. Deep down, he cares for him, which makes their dynamic very interesting. Mr. Krabs is underutilized in the first season, but he is a classic character from this show as the one obsessed with money and business success.

…………………………………………………..

I find Patrick Star overrated as he’s the type of standard dumb cartoon character who is way stupid consistently. Still, he is funny at times, and his friendship with the protagonist is wonderful. Plankton is of course a wonderfully over-the-top cartoon villain who never manages to succeed stealing Krab’s secret recipe. Gary the Snail is so cute whereas Sandy is this very interesting presence coming from above as this squirrel who misses her home above water.

The episodes of this show (or segments really) last only for eleven minutes, making them brisk and hugely entertaining. Help Wanted gets SpongeBob a job at Krabs’, Reef Blower is a forgettable installment while Tea at the Treedome is a terrific introduction to Sandy. The scenes where the two friends struggled breathing out of water was so funny. Bubblestand is less memorable, Ripped Pants is one of the weakest stories of the bunch whereas Jellyfishing is solid, but mostly too slight in concept. Plankton! is a terrific, hugely entertaining introduction to this fun villain.

Naughty Nautical Neighbors is a lot of fun with a great premise, Boating School is a solid introduction to the protagonist’s driving instructor Mrs. Puff, Pizza Delivery isn’t all that memorable, but Home Sweet Pineapple is such a funny episode where Squidward finally thought for a second that he got rid of his annoying neighbor. Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy is only okay as I find these two superheroes dated in concept and not particularly interesting in the bigger scope of things.

…………………………………………………..

Pickles is forgettable, but Hall Monitor is such a darkly funny episode that sees the arrest of poor Mrs. Puff. Jellyfish Jam is another only okay jellyfish episode, but Sandy Rocket is a terrific SF-inspired storyline that sees the dumbest actions so far from both SpongeBob and Patrick. Squeaky Boots is not that memorable and I find Pearl a slightly developed character overall. Nature Pants is the best jellyfish-centered episode of the season as it’s colorful and adventurous.

Opposite Day is a hilarious, perfect episode! The premise is amazing and so clever, creating perfect fodder for the frustrations of Squidward. Culture Shock is utterly uninteresting itself, but F.U.N. is by far the best Plankton episode of this season that features such a fun titular song and a great relationship between Plankton and SpongeBob that’s so well explored here.

MuscleBob BuffPants is silly and weak, but Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost is another superbly crafted and conceptualized episode starring the show’s best character. The Chaperone wasn’t all that great to me as it’s another weak Pearl episode, but Employee of the Month is a terrific episode centering on workplace rivalry. Scaredy Pants is a great horror-inspired storyline that features a very memorable ending and a great introduction to spooky, amusing Flying Dutchman.

…………………………………………………..

I Was a Teenaged Gary is a solid snail body-swapping installment. SB-129 is the best episode of the entire season. It sees Squidward time travelling to avoid SpongeBob only to realize that he likes it better with him being loud than being alone in silence. It’s an inventive, superbly crafted episode that benefits from a lot of heart and excellent characterization at display.

Karate Choppers isn’t great, Sleepy Time isn’t the most entertaining episode, but it’s quite imaginative for sure, Suds is quite solid, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful episode centering on the two’s friendship with a very nice conclusion while The Paper is a great depiction of how everything can turn out fun when given to the right hands, especially those of a child. Arrgh! is a great Mr. Krabs treasure-hunting installment that makes great use of his greed.

Rock Bottom is the most atypical, thus the most creative and different SpongeBob episode where he goes to the dark depths of the ocean with the anglerfish. The darker animation here is super cool and polished, this world is amazingly realized and its spooky atmosphere is superbly accomplished. It’s a stunner of an episode. Texas makes great, emotional use of Sandy as she feels homesick and gets accepted among her new friends.

…………………………………………………..

Walking Small is such a fun Plankton episode where he gets disgusted by excessive kindness. Fools in April is a great showcase of how Squidward just doesn’t get jokes. Neptune’s Spatula is a strong episode that works wonders in its mythical elements. Hooky finally introduces humans into the picture with the fishing hook acting as this super scary, mysterious sign for the sea critters. Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II is an okay finale, but again this duo is not all that great.