Next up, we've got "Sing a Song of Patrick", an episode that I don't think is forgettable, but also isn't one that's very much talked about. You know, now that I'm thinking of it, does this episode count as infamous? I feel like the general consensus is that it’s disliked, no? (EDIT: I did look at other forum reviews now and I guess I was wrong, seems other people like this episode too lol) I was never a huge fan of this episode either, so maybe that’s just my bias talking. Of course, I did rewatch it for this review, so all opinions are updated, and perhaps they are different than past ones, who knows?
This episode follows Patrick, which makes it different from other episodes. Unfortunately, as I have said before, Patrick is not exactly the best character to follow, especially when he is on his own. This beginning part of the episode has me empathizing with the other comic-book-store goers because Patrick is supremely obnoxious while reading the comic book. But then SpongeBob enters the scene which helps things immensely. And now apparently Patrick is illiterate…okay. I like the way SpongeBob read the ad though. It makes me think of when I’m reading some ad out loud for some reason or another, I always put on an advertiser voice because it’s more fun that way. And then we move to me being bored by the lack of comedy to me being annoyed when Patrick literally steals SpongeBob’s money in the most predictable turn of events of all time, so I’m irritated for two reasons simultaneously…not a good start to this episode I must say. Thankfully, they did not spend much time on Patrick stealing SpongeBob’s money at all. SpongeBob getting kicked out of the comic book store is a tiny bit humorous, but then more annoying considering SpongeBob didn’t even try to leave the store so why did they kick him out for holding comic books??? Makes no sense and now I’m annoyed.
And then we move to Patrick trying to make his “masterpiece”. I kind of like that he works at SpongeBob’s house, if only to see Patrick in a different environment than under his rock. The flashback we see is also pretty amusing. Patrick having dodgeball trauma is kinda funny lol. I liked how Patrick told the story to SpongeBob, SpongeBob’s reactions were great, and I love the whole part with Gary’s records. This episode makes much emphasis on the fact that Patrick is dumb. And it works well enough here, I liked the exhaust joke with Patrick’s thinking, especially once Squidward gets involved for his brief appearance in this episode. Once we cut to the next day, I'm legitimately laughing because I love how the band is literally so over everything, that’s the kind of…for lack of a better term adult humor I like to see in this show. I wouldn’t call it dark humor, or even that mature, but there’s a whole other layer of funny with this kind of joke when you’re older than like 7 lol, I don’t know how to describe it. And I’m still quite young, so I’m sure it gets increasingly funny as you get older. I love all the visual gags we get with this part too, and I love how it ended up killing them lmao.
I also love all the buildup we get to hearing Patrick’s horrendous song. See I feel like we’re told this song is so horrible, but of course they aren’t going to make an actually atrocious song, so the production value is pretty good, but the lyrics are abysmal. So the song itself is actually kind of catch, even with the terrible lyrics. I think it adds to the comedic factor. I love how everyone has this hilarious reaction to the song, including inanimate objects lol. And honestly the lyrics are kind of fire when you listen to them (I’m kidding…….yeah). And I really liked SpongeBob’s support too, as well as the second iteration of the arm joke.
I really loved how SpongeBob and Patrick were kicked out of the radio place immediately too lol. I just think the horribleness of this song is done really well, in terms of reactions. Of course, I get slightly annoyed again when SpongeBob is used as a mule to carry Patrick to the top of the tower when Patrick coulda done that ish himself but okay. I don’t like when SpongeBob is mistreated, as we all understand by now. And Patrick taking his time as dull as well. But things pick up again once the record starts playing, because everyone’s reactions are absolutely hilarious, as is the chaos they cause. So many fun visual gags as well as pretty clever jokes in there. The salesmen part was definitely a highlight, and a joke I always remember in the back of my head at such random moments. And then once the mob catches SpongeBob and Patrick, we’re treated to an interesting bit of random comedy as SpongeBob and Patrick just start playing random instruments for no reason. Yeah, didn’t quite get that one, but whatevs. And then I love that the dodgeballs come back, I thought that was a great way to end the episode, if a bit abrupt.
I'd say "Sing A Song of Patrick" is an alright episode. It's not great, but it does have some really funny moments in there. However it also has some really annoying moments, particularly in Patrick's treatment of SpongeBob. The episode takes a little bit to really get rolling because of this. Also the episode feels like it's weirdly paced or something because the ending is quite abrupt to me. Taking all of this together, I'd say this episode fits in "Good", just barely. That SpongeBob treatment really bogs things down, and there are a few moments of dullness that don't help matters, but the moments of great humor help keep this episode from going any lower.
Episode Tier: Good
Episode Score: 7/10