Now that I think about it, it’s been a while since we’ve had a Boating School episode, hasn’t it? I feel like the last time was in season 6, unless we count “Summer Job”. All this means that this episode was sorely needed. Well…maybe not this episode, considering my feelings towards it, but a Boating School episode was. I also didn't realize that I have such an unpopular opinion about "The Hot Shot". Oh well!
Let it be known that I’m not typically a fan of jerkwad characters. I also don’t typically care for in-universe celebrity characters. Tony Fast Jr. is both of these, and he is no exception to my typical rules. I also think that racing is one of the least interesting of all sports, so…not great for this episode. I get why they went with this plot here, but the child of a racing legend doing driver’s ed is not interesting to me, so that’s a little bit to this episode’s detriment. I don’t understand why we couldn’t have just had the literal racing legend in the episode. Just have him get a traffic violation like Squidward in “Boating Buddies”, and be forced to complete some classes. Why do we have to have their child? It feels like an unnecessary choice that puts distance between the actual interesting part of the plot, which is an expert driver being in boating school, and being forced to drive with SpongeBob. But, of course, it all depends on what the episode does with this plot too.
'Well…the episode kinda doesn’t do anything with it. It’s rather boring, if I’m being honest. I do like that this episode kinda provides an explanation for SpongeBob’s bad driving that will be expanded on in I believe “Bumper to Bumper”. Unfortunately, that’s kinda the end of anything especially good coming out of this plot.
As for the rest of the episode, it’s…meh. The very beginning just barely manages not to give me secondhand embarrassment. Also it felt really forced because why would all these people clap when the Fasts weren’t even there yet, and when someone else was walking in? They could’ve done that better. Additionally, everything just feels slow in this episode, and not in a good way. Maybe it replicates Tony Fast Jr.’s approach to driving, but even I know that that’s a stretch. Also, it’s kinda weird how Tony Jr. just like…becomes friends with SpongeBob I guess, but like nothing actually indicated that happening until he just let SpongeBob in his house. I don’t know if I’m explaining myself very well, but it almost feels like there was a missing scene or piece of dialogue or something. Idk. It makes the episode feel kinda disjointed.
There are a few things I like in this episode though. I mean for one thing, the last 2.5 minutes are really enjoyable, and what I’d been wishing I’d been seeing all along. SpongeBob is hilarious, and the street race is fun to watch (with a guest appearance by Larry!), especially once we enter full chaos mode with the cops and Tony Fast himself coming after the two. And then when SpongeBob completely snaps, I’m dying laughing.
Episode Tier: Okay
Episode Score: 6.2/10