Anyone else notice how "Born Again Krabs" and "Mid-Life Crustacean" are like...perfect sister episodes? Both Mr. Krabs themed, both about him trying to make a change in his life after being confronted with his own mortality...and yet they're both very different. Out of the two of them, I think I like this episode just a little bit more, so let's discuss.
This episode begins with such a gorgeous shot of the Krusty Krab at closing time (man, what is that now, 4 or 5 episodes where the opening shot is a beautiful sunset at the Krusty Krab? Let's keep it going, seriously). I like the sharp contrast between SpongeBob and Squidward's attitude about closing time. Whenever I'm at work, I find myself seeing things Squidward's way. I love how unashamedly cheap Mr. Krabs is in this first part, with the whole pinch-o-matic thing and the fact that he will literally eat an old Krabby Patty. Also, another small thing, but I really like the "The Next Day" time card in this episode, having SpongeBob, Squidward, Patrick, and Mr. Krabs there is so cute! I wonder why they decided to design it like that, especially since Patrick isn't even in this episode. The fake out gag with the ambulance is pretty good, especially when it's followed by Mr. Krabs literally dying from the tainted Krabby Patty.
I love the entire sequence at the hospital. The doctor running away after seeing Mr. Krabs' chart is hilarious, and I love that the Flying Dutchman is in this episode. Makes enough sense that he'd basically be the grim reaper or devil or Charon or however you want to think of him. The "Harold Flower" bit is so hilarious, especially the interaction between the Flying Dutchman and the nurse. Davy Jones' locker being Hell is brilliant as well. And I'll never think about this episode without thinking of "SpongeBob Vs. The Big One", which I know we're a while out from but if I manage to keep up my reviews until there, I'm really going to enjoy reviewing that special.
I love how this episode casually just kinda says that yeah, Mr. Krabs was about to bite it, but it's all okay now! I love seeing the new and improved Mr. Krabs. It's kind of funny, because by this point Mr. Krabs hadn't even been that bad of a boss yet, compared to what we might see in the future, so the fact that he was already going to Davy Jones' Locker...oh boy. Watching this part of the episode is fun because you know it can't last, and so you're sitting there wondering what will be the breaking point, what will it be that makes Mr. Krabs give up on this whole charade? I love how the tension and anticipation build as Mr. Krabs starts acting more and more nonchalant about things he probably shouldn't be acting that way about...such as having to pay $10,000 on his credit card, or having absolutely no profits. I like that Squidward and SpongeBob start getting real concerned about Mr. Krabs, and I love Squidward's line about "how are we gonna get paid". He really is the eternal workers' spirit at times.
And then we get to the part of the episode we've been waiting for, Mr. Krabs' breaking point. Turns out, the guy thought he was dreaming the whole time, and when Squidward and SpongeBob break it to him that that isn't the case...oh man are the results hilarious. First off, I love Mr. Krabs' initial reaction with his shell breaking as he screams, and then his whole cheap freakout is great, ending with him almost clawing a man's hand off over a penny.
Even better than Mr. Krabs' freakout is the aftermath. I love how Squidward tells it like it is even when Mr. Krabs is being threatened with Hell, and I love that SpongeBob stands up for Mr. Krabs. It's a wholesome moment, which is completely undermined (in a good way), by Mr. Krabs' miserly ways, literally selling SpongeBob's soul for 62 cents. And then I love that Squidward is the one to stand up for SpongeBob, calling out Mr. Krabs' for his bs. It's a nice thematic call-back to "Pizza Delivery", and a good way of showing that Squidward does care about SpongeBob, in his own way, even if he tries to hide the fact (as we've seen in "Graveyard Shift"). In other words, we love character consistency!
The last bit of the episode is also great, with SpongeBob managing to get out of Hell for eternity just by being his friendly self. We even get a little bit of TrollBob when he's like "I would've done the same thing" and Mr. Krabs is like "Really?" and SpongeBob deadpans "No." Also, I've never mentioned this before, but I like episode endings where everyone is laughing. I don't know, maybe it feels wholesome, or ends the episode on a good note. Maybe that's why I like how the ending of "Spongicus" averts this. Well anyway, the episode doesn't even end there, because of course we have a continuation of the gag with SpongeBob talking The Flying Dutchman to undeath, which I think is a great way to end this episode.
"Born Again Krabs" is a really fun episode. It doesn't exactly have knockout jokes, but it does have multiple iconic moments between Harold Flower and 62 cents. It's also a very good complement to "Mid-Life Crustacean", which is why I always make it a point to watch these two episodes together. This episode fits nicely in my "Great" tier.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.5/10
