Finally. “Unreal Estate” is the episode I was originally thinking of when I was getting ready to watch “Sold!”, and it’s the episode that I undoubtedly like more out of the two. And I’m exciting to talk about it, because there’s a few things I wanna mention here.
So you guys know those episodes that take an integral, foundational aspect of the show, and flip it on its head? Yeah, “Unreal Estate” is one of those, this time focusing on SpongeBob’s iconic pineapple. I love episodes like this (when they’re done well, I should say) because the concepts themselves are inherently interesting to me. Like yes, show me something new, show me what the characters do when something we as an audience consider what simply is is changed. And yes, I know I’m talking dramatically about a show about a talking sponge, but then again, that’s my whole brand.
I like the beginning of the episode. I like seeing SpongeBob take care of his house. I don’t know, something about that just makes me feel happy. And the bit with the barnacles was funny. We also see Squidward painting in this first scene, which makes me feel like we haven’t seen that in a while. But that may or may not be true, it’s not like I’ve been paying attention. And of course his painting is just as narcissistic as the rest, and messed up by SpongeBob’s antics like usual. And this scene is full of that great animation that I’ve been talking about. I’ll try to keep that same compliment on the down low from now on, but it’s a bit hard when it’s pointed out to me with each episode that I watch. The only thing I don’t really like about this beginning scene is the part where Squidward gets inflated with a bunch of water, it takes a bit too long for me, mostly because the joke wasn’t funny for me in the first place.
From here, Squidward comes up with an idea to get SpongeBob to move away. And I guess in this way, this episode is kinda like a reverse “Opposite Day”, which is the episode I think of the entire time I’m watching this one. Even though “Home Sweet Pineapple” or “Home Sweet Rubble” would probably be more related. Anyway, I love how mischievous Squidward is here. I’ve been getting wind of some criticisms of Squidward’s character in these double-digit seasons, and I think part of the criticism comes from Squidward’s mean-spiritedness (I think…I’ve been avoiding reading said criticisms so I could be off the mark). If so, then I disagree. Because first off, this is completely aligned with his character from every season thus far. And second off, even if it wasn’t, I’m fine with his character going in this direction lol. To me, it feels like Squidward is less trying to be the normal guy around now, and has more succumbed to the zaniness of his every day life, and fights back in a just as zany way. Hopefully that made sense. So maybe that’s why people don’t like his character as much, he’s possibly less of a straightman (though I disagree with that too). Anyway, I’m gonna move on. Wasn’t expecting to get into a whole tangent about Squidward in this review.
After a funny scene of Gary being the best and Squidward getting his butt whooped, his plan to get SpongeBob to move away starts working. I was worried that the sneezing bit was going to get old, but luckily this episode does it just enough to get the point across, and not much more. The montage of SpongeBob having fun with his house was very unexpected, and I loved it. So cute. Squidward then starts showing SpongeBob around to some new houses, which is where we get the now-potentially-famous gag of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song being changed to fit each new house. I loved this gag. The show breaking the 4th wall is something I do thoroughly enjoy, even if I don’t typically talk about it. This whole part reminds me a lot of “Truth or Square”. For others, that might be for the worse. But for me, that’s for the better, since I did enjoy that episode, after all. Now, one of the gags in this bit, I wasn’t a huge fan of. But I won’t get into it. If you’ve read enough of my reviews, you probably know which one it is, and why. Just remember that I adore my soapbox.
After the 4th-wall-breaking gag, I enjoyed seeing Squidward take SpongeBob to all the different houses. The environments were pretty cool. The bit in the restaurant aquarium was hilarious. And of course, once Squidward shows SpongeBob the last house, he’s the one who falls in love with it, not the little sponge. And then it is of course revealed that the house is not a house, but a rocket ship, which is a hilarious twist that, had I not already seen this episode, I would not have expected. And I love how SpongeBob repainted Squidward’s house to match his own, because of course he’d do that. These last couple minutes of the episode aren’t exactly funny, but they are very enjoyable, so I have no problems here. And then the episode ends with a full shift in the status quo of Conch Street—Squidward in Patrick’s house, SpongeBob in Squidward’s, and Patrick in SpongeBob’s. Great ending.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.9/10
10/10
