Is “Bottle Burglars” the role reversal to end all role reversals? Yeah, that's it for my intro. Just sit on that.
We start things off with SpongeBob and Squidward cleaning the Krusty Krab. This is a nice little set up for our episode, and it generates quite a few good gags, both visual and otherwise, so I like this. While SpongeBob and Squidward are cleaning the safe, Plankton’s getting ready to enact another scheme…a scheme that we’ve actually already seen in “Patty Caper”, now that I think about it. But that was SpongeBob’s imagination running wild, while this one is the real deal. And it turns out that Plankton didn’t need to do this scheme at all, because Squidward accidentally throws the formula on top of him with the rest of the garbage. And so employees, this is why you must never be a Squidward (lol).
I like how this episode has Squidward freaking out about losing the formula too. Not only does it blend masterfully with SpongeBob’s dramatics, but it’s also just nice to see him somewhat invested in his job…if only because of his desire to keep getting paid. Anywho, the scene of Squidward and SpongeBob watching the security cameras raises a lot of questions…namely why Mr. Krabs has them in the bathroom. It’s “Truth or Square” all over again.
Day turns to night, and this is where we get the true role reversal we’ve all been waiting for—Squidward and SpongeBob try to steal the formula back from Plankton. We also get what I’m choosing to see as a reference to “Mimic Madness”, so that was cute. Squidward and SpongeBob break into the Chum Bucket, complete with some fun visual gags. Plankton’s bedtime routine is thankfully not long and excruciating, because it definitely could’ve been. I really like the little set up of Plankton and Karen’s room that we see in this episode. It’s the first time we’ve seen it, and I like it.
I also really love that this episode features Spot, because that’s a little bit of show continuity that I love. And I like how he’s not the security measure SpongeBob and Squidward should look out for. First, there’s a sleep walking Karen, who turns them into chum (does this confirm the origins of the substance????), and then there’s all of the traps Plankton set on the way to the safe…all of which end up hurting Squidward LMAO. This segment was hilarious. And of course, after all of those trials and tribulations, the moment SpongeBob lays a hand on the formula, another trap goes off, sending Squidward and SpongeBob flying out the Chum Bucket. Dang, maybe Mr. Krabs needs to invest in some of these measures too. We also get a
gorgeous background alert in this part, as it’s nearing dawn.
Since SpongeBob and Squidward utterly failed at getting the formula back, they’re forced to tell Mr. Krabs what happened. This is probably the most famous part of the episode, other than maybe the hallway scene. And for good reason, Mr. Krabs’ reaction is hilarious, from the voice acting to the animation. And I love how Mr. Krabs wastes no energy getting the thing back, just busting open Plankton’s wall and safe, and grabbing it. It reminds me of “Bucket Sweet Bucket”. Mr. Krabs has whatever abilities he needs to maintain the status quo haha. We even get another
gorgeous background right before Plankton finds out his dreams have been thoroughly and utterly crushed. How nice for me! Not so nice is Squidward and SpongeBob’s fate, stuck in the safe as the new security. It sure is funny though!
“Bottle Burglars” was simply a fun little role reversal episode, even if the actual role reversal occurs nearly halfway through. There really isn’t much else for me to say about this one. It does exactly what it set out to do, which is be a good time. And it’s funny too. And I’d say it’s just about got the “wow” factor needed to be an Amazing-tier episode.
Episode Tier: Amazing
Episode Score: 9/10
