Is this “Karen 2.0” or is this “Komputer Overload”? Because let’s be real, there are quite a few similarities between these two episodes. And while I never fully got the two mixed up, I for sure associate them heavily in my head.
This episode very explicitly goes into the marriage of Karen and Plankton, but not in the way I’ve been dreaming of, because rather than an actually good exploration of their bond, we just have Plankton being the worst husband ever. Yeah, sorry, but I ain’t sympathetic for the guy here, and even if he’s a villain he still has to be pleasant to watch, and he clearly isn’t here, at least not to me. I mean…he literally makes a replacement wife, and names it “Karen 2”. At least Karen fights back, as she should.
As we cut to the Krusty Krab, I can see the episode’s plot laid out before me. Like clearly, Plankton is about to use Karen 2 to try and steal the formula. Which in some ways doesn’t make that much sense given how rarely he uses the original Karen to steal the formula, but whatever. The interaction between SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs is pretty good, because I always love SpongeBob being a little weirdo who loves work so, so much. SpongeBob trips over a box outside the Chum Bucket, which of course has Karen inside. Mr. Krabs decides to take advantage of this free technology, again showing his short-sightedness as this could very well have been a plot from Plankton. Luckily it wasn’t though, as Karen boots up and immediately starts crying.
And that’s one thing that’s cool about this episode, we get to see Karen interact with people she doesn’t normally interact with—SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs. It’s utilizing her main character status in a satisfying way. And also I quite like Karen, so it’s always nice to see her in the first place. It’s also kind of funny seeing this episode after “Single Cell Anniversary”, because first it’s SpongeBob helping Plankton, and now it’s SpongeBob helping Karen. And I love how Karen is so…above Mr. Krabs’ and SpongeBob’s BS. I don’t know how else to describe it. She’s like Squidward, but with more class LMAO. The way she’s completely over them is hilarious. And I also like the idea of making Karen a Krusty Krab employee, because I think that’s just interesting. And it also ends up being really funny too, when she snaps at the people ordering.
Plankton and Karen 2 show up, and Plankton is affronted by Karen working at the Krusty Krab. Well…that’s what you get! Get dunked on, sucka! The bickering between Karen and Karen 2 is very entertaining, because fights like this always result in some great insults all around. Mr. Krabs turning it into an attraction is so very him, and I love it. And then the actual fight itself is great too, very entertaining. It ends when Plankton gets hurt though, and Karen basically k!lls Karen 2 LMAO. And the ending is actually wholesome, making up for Plankton’s earlier showing as a complete jerkwad.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.3/10
