Okay, Squidward and Plankton interacting, take 2. That’s basically what this episode is, right? And I mentioned this in my review of “Sweet and Sour Squid”, that this episode actually does justice to this pairing.
This episode starts off pretty well, which is a big improvement over the previous episode, so I’m happy. I always say this, but I love when SpongeBob’s a little weirdo about work. It’s just so very endearing, and also funny. Him saying that he recreates his day at work when he goes home is just so funny, and Gary rocks that paper bag, idk. I wish I could love going to work as much as SpongeBob. Then the hours and days and years I give away in the name of capitalism wouldn’t feel so wasted. Oops, got serious for a second. Uh…let me get back to the show. Anyway, I always like to see Squidward’s disdain for his job contrasted with SpongeBob’s love for it. And Squidward’s disdain is well-vocalized in this episode. It makes me think of some of the other good examples, like “Squid on Strike” or “The Play’s The Thing”. I also like this first minute or two as a set up for the episode. Squidward running a restaurant? Count me in. “Squilliam Returns” was fun, so why not see something similar?
Plankton then bursts onto a scene, in an actually good example of a joke where the characters don’t notice him (catch it, “Super Evil Aquatic Villain Team-Up Is Go!”). And this is where excellence begins. This is just the first improvement over “Sweet and Sour Squid”—Plankton and Squidward start interacting very quickly. The second improvement is that I like Squidward coming into Plankton’s environment more than Plankton coming into Squidward’s. Idk, something about Plankton’s plan to steal the formula is something that does not change with context, while Squidward’s aspirations are something that change with context, and so this allows new character dynamics to shine or something like that. That’s my best guess, but I’m mostly speculating. I also just really like how this episode emphasizes how similar these two characters are. As Karen says, they’re both megalomaniacs. And I like that they’re not instant friends or anything, just business partners.
I like that Squidward’s family just happens to have a recipe that makes chum edible. And with the introduction of this recipe, we can see what direction the episode might take. But as I always say, predictability isn’t an issue on its own, and this episode proves that, because I like what’s to come, even if I can easily foresee it. It’s fun to see Squidward’s success in this next part of the episode, I really liked the commercial aspect (complete with those random stock images, lol).
Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob then infiltrate “Le Chum Bucket”, and I love their outfits and fake facial hair here. This part of the episode is probably my least favorite, but that’s not saying much considering I really like this part too. And once Mr. Krabs completely starts bawling, this part is funny as well. I love some drama. Eventually, though, all good things must come to an end, and by this I mean good things for Squidward and Plankton. I love how Squidward’s grandma just pulls up to the Chum Bucket to school Squidward in making chum fricassee, and then leaves so that Squidward gets beat up by the angry customers LMAO. Squidward and Plankton’s resulting back-and-forth is fun to watch, and again a good example of their dynamic.
Another thing I want to note in this episode is that I really like the animation here. Just the character models and expressions are excellent, and it feels like we’re starting to move into that season 9 feel, which is something that I’ve been saying for a few different episodes now, I believe. Just wait until I discuss this trend in my season 8 overview.
“Chum Fricasee” is simply an excellent and hilarious episode that finally, finally does justice to Squidward and Plankton’s dynamic. Seeing these two interact is so fun, and as long as it keeps being done in a good way like this, I wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of this kind of stuff.
Episode Tier: Amazing
Episode Score: 9.4/10
