Oh boy, "To Save A Squirrel", another episode people have definitely forgotten! Or maybe they haven't, but I struggle to find the right word for episodes like this that no one ever talks about ever. So if anyone has any ideas for a better word, I’d love to hear them lol. In general, this is a pretty fun episode. It also recognizes the girlboss that is Sandy Cheeks, so I can’t hate on that.
The initial couple minutes of this episode are pretty entertaining. I like that SpongeBob and Patrick are running like bats out of hell just because of a little grasshopper, and that visual gag with them in Sandy’s suit is pretty fun. I also like that Sandy was ready to throw hands for them, very wholesome. And I love how SpongeBob and Patrick are still in pieces about the thing after Sandy explains the bug is harmless. All of this of course leads into our main plot of the episode, which is Sandy’s survival trip. You know, it had never crossed my mind that Sandy would be into camping until I watched this episode. Also wait a minute, hold up…okay so did anyone play the Truth or Square game? I don’t know if this was a DS exclusive thing but I had (still do) the DS version, and there were two levels that took place in Kelp Forest. In this game, levels were associated with a character that could be used as a power up. Both Kelp Forest levels used Sandy as their character…could that be a reference to this episode?? So many thoughts.
Anyway, I love that Sandy is ready to MacGyver it up in the wild. And that gag with the flashback with Squidward was hilarious. I really, really like how the twist of the episode was kind of obvious from the beginning when you look back on it. Because why in the world would Sandy explain her exact plan to SpongeBob and Patrick knowing they’re idiots who would absolutely tag along (if them stealing her rocket ship was any indication). And also, how would she not hear their screaming while driving? But let’s just pretend that we don’t know the twist and say that SpongeBob and Patrick’s plan to join Sandy backfires spectacularly as Patrick opens the back door and they get stuck in the wilderness. Now I’m reminded of “Club SpongeBob” lol. Also, yeah, Patrick is indeed a huge idiot in this episode, or at least in these first few minutes, but it’s not grating. Maybe because SpongeBob’s reactions are pretty funny, I don’t know. Somehow I don’t even get annoyed or bored at the whole part where Patrick thinks for like 30 seconds straight. I think it’s because the visuals keep changing and SpongeBob’s reactions help things immensely. I also love that this is our transition to SpongeBob and Patrick getting a little bit loony, complete with some malnourished crazy-eyed designs for the two of them.
Speaking of loony, we get the introduction of some guy who’s apparently been living in this cave for 40 years, who only serves to instigate the coming conflict between SpongeBob and Patrick. And what a fun conflict this is. Sometimes, I just love when SpongeBob gets all paranoid like this. Like in “Bummer Vacation”. And it’s hilarious in this episode. Tom Kenny once again does what he does best and voices the heck out of SpongeBob’s madness, especially when he’s inside the Krusty Krab replica. And then when SpongeBob goes fully loony and starts trying to cook Patrick, things get quite entertaining as the two try to eat each other lmao. It’s a good intermix of hilarity and tension and visual gags, especially with the part where Patrick tries to make stew out of SpongeBob. And then in the end, I wonder if the ketchup was purposefully used to make SpongeBob and Patrick look like they were bleeding lol. That’s pretty dark if so.
And then of course, we get the end reveal that the old crazy guy was Sandy was all along! I love that she decided to test SpongeBob and Patrick’s survival skills with no warning whatsoever, and then decided to watch and be entertained. That’s queen behavior I don’t know what to tell you. The nonfailure medals were cute too. And the ending of the episode was great, with SpongeBob and Patrick turning on Sandy now. A little bit of universal justice, even if Sandy is queenie.
I really don't have anything bad to say about "To Save A Squirrel", it's a fun hidden gem. At most, the beginning is slightly weak but once SpongeBob and Patrick arrive in the wilderness the episode gets into its groove and becomes a triumph of hilarity.
Episode Tier: Amazing
Episode Score: 9/10
