Cue “modern SpongeBob” haters saying that the show references old episodes too much in 3…2…1…just kidding, as this is SBM, not Twitter. Nah but seriously, I remember being stoked when I first saw this episode, because even if I never loved “Bubble Buddy”, I was still happy to see such a direct reference to a previous episode. This show doesn’t really have a continuity, so any kind of reference that creates a timeline is a win from me. I do think they could’ve done the title card better though lol, they should’ve just made it all bubble letters, like come on now.
The episode begins with a bubble causing mischief around Bikini Bottom in a pretty funny way. Turns out the bubble actually contains a letter for SpongeBob from Bubble Buddy, and not only that, but the bubble is Bubble Buddy’s son, Shiny. Alright, let’s get the elephant out of the room now. Yes, it would’ve been 100% more preferable if this episode was about Bubble Buddy returning for real, like ain’t nobody care about his son. But…I’m not that mad about it. Maybe it’s again because I never cared for the original episode, so I’m not invested. It doesn’t exactly matter why, the fact is I’m not all that upset about Bubble Buddy only really making a cameo appearance in the episode titled “Bubble Buddy Returns”. Though I will say I’m not a big fan of false advertising so…that’s not great.
SpongeBob then tries to introduce Shiny to Squidward, and this part was hilarious. I just love how Shiny is such a troublemaker lol. It makes the beginning of the episode make even more sense (not that it ever didn’t make sense, but y’all know what I mean). Also, this bit with Squidward introduces one of my favorite tracks in the series,
Porous Pursuit. Underrated masterpiece, that one. But we’ll see it used so much more after season 9, so I’m happy with that. And this scene again uses my favorite Hot Steel & Slide Lick, so I really just won twice.
Mr. Krabs is then introduced to Shiny, and I again am rewarded for my love of any kind of continuity in this show when Mr. Krabs is all like “Bubble Buddy still owes me money!” Shiny then causes more mischief at the Krusty Krab, making the floor slippery and almost causing another “Krabs Vs. Plankton” situation (lol). And then the real breaking point is when he causes the money in the cash register to go everywhere…yeah Mr. Krabs ain’t gonna let that one slide.
We then get the amusing segment of Shiny going into town, complete with all its dangerous sharp objects. Though in the end, it’s only SpongeBob who gets hurt, and the whole thing is pretty funny and enjoyable. Especially with SpongeBob’s freaking out (except for the last one, where he’s just completely done with it all). Also I think the fact that Bikini Bottom has all of these places is just inherently funny. And then the fact that in the end, after SpongeBob manages to save Shiny from all of that, he manages to pop the bubble kid by making him food. His ensuing freakout is hilarious. And of course that’s when Bubble Buddy shows up…but of course, this is just another Tuesday for Bubble Buddy. SpongeBob’s last little muttering about babysitting was also funny, and it stands out to me from any SpongeBob ending so…congrats to this episode for that I suppose.
"Bubble Buddy Returns" was a really good episode for me, which I think might be an unpopular opinion. It probably would’ve been Amazing-tier if not for the bait-and-switch. I know I said I wasn’t that mad about it, but it did still happen and it was still slightly disappointing. So. Great-tier.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.8/10
