Boo-yah, “Scavenger Pants”, an episode I remember basically nothing about! Well, I do remember the title card. As for the actual plot of this episode, I have ideas, but I think that I’m mixing this episode up with “Hide and Then What Happens?” and “Shopping List”. So I guess I’ll have to see if I’m right about any plot elements at all. Maybe this will be one of those episodes where I remember the plot after a few seconds in. Well, I’ve just gotta hit play on this bad boy and see, don’t I?
We open with Squidward engaging in some contemporary interpretive dance. It’s visually interesting, I’ll say that much. And then SpongeBob appears out of nowhere to join him. I don’t care how many times the show uses this same exact joke, it will always be funny. Especially when they hit on those SpongeBob being a little creep and weirdo buttons, it’s even funnier (though I also like when SpongeBob is completely nonchalant about breaking into Squidward’s house, like the famous “Have You Seen This Snail?” scene. So basically, anything works!). Patrick also shows up, changing Squidward’s records and joining in on some dancing. Turns out, SpongeBob and Patrick are bored. Hey, this is miles better than a certain
other opening sequence emphasizing boredom (”Toy Store of Doom” lashings, I had to do it).
Squidward decides to send the two on a scavenger hunt, and it’s at this point that I’m pretty confident I remember this episode, though still not a lot of the details. So that’s good enough for me, means I might be truly surprised instead of just acting like I am for once, haha (seriously can’t wait for season 12 and especially 13). As Squidward sends SpongeBob and Patrick looking for something he’s clearly made up, the next minute or so, at least, is predictable. I mean, literally the pilot episode of this show used this trope. Anyway, we start following SpongeBob and Patrick on their scavenging adventure (after a wonderful
reference to the first movie that I do in fact remember being talked about a few years back). And we get some gorgeous
backgrounds out of this, so I’m a fan. SpongeBob and Patrick find a sand
witch, which is some fun wordplay that I wasn’t particularly expecting.
Soon, SpongeBob and Patrick are off on their next adventure. I love their
stupid,
dumb faces, they’re so funny. This next adventure reminds me of both the first movie (which I’m really thinking is purposeful given the potential second reference to the movie that Patrick’s face was) and “A SquarePants Family Vacation”. And just like the sandwich from the sand witch, Squidward gets beat up by the found object haha. This was a stupid, funny gag. I like it. Now why Squidward would test fate by having the two find the Loch Ness monster is crazy. The use of real backgrounds in this part is hilarious to me. Makes me think of
The Amazing World of Gumball (a show I’ve never watched outside of clips, believe it or not).
Finally, Squidward comes up with his most diabolical scavenger hunt yet—find his brother. And I gotta admit, the way the show does it in the end is quite creative. Because of course Squidward doesn’t have a brother. Nah…he’s got two, cuz SpongeBob and Patrick have been adopted by Mrs. Tentacles! I really have to know how that transpired haha. Poor Squidward has a brain aneurysm.
“Scavenger Pants” is perfectly fine and enjoyable. Nothing really wows me about this episode, but it certainly isn’t bad. So, a Great tier should suffice.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.5/10