Well, here we are at the end of season 3! And with a couple days to spare (which I'll be using for the season overview and the movie). I didn't even have a bad time crunch this time! So let's just close this month's reviews out with "Pranks A Lot", shall we?
This episode is really all about the gags, which will never be something I don't want to see. I like the shop that we're at in the beginning, the Palace of Pranks. It lowkey does a little bit of worldbuilding, that there's a whole prank store in Bikini Bottom, and that SpongeBob is apparently a regular there. I also really like Frank, he has a lot of character. I love all the little pranks that we see in this first part. Probably my favorite part is the exploding gum and how Patrick's like "I don't get it". I wonder why spray that literally makes you invisible is only 1 dollar though? Meh, who cares, we're about to get into some fun shenanigans!
I like the original idea that SpongeBob and Patrick have for their prank, it's pretty cute. I also like that it was Patrick of all people who remembered that the spray stains clothes. I like the way SpongeBob says "any particular reason you took your pants off?" Like he's not even all that concerned, he's just like "why". And then of course the main plot of the episode gets started because of some childish fighting between SpongeBob and Patrick. In general this episode has a very childish feel to it, because of the pranks. And that's never really a bad thing, as long as the adult aspect is balanced somewhere, as I've said before. SpongeBob and Patrick slowly turning each other invisible is pretty funny and enjoyable as well, and then soon we have two invisible best friends (but not after the glorious "Several bad puns later..." time card).
This episode is filled with some great visual gags. I mean first off, SpongeBob and Patrick walking around invisible is pretty fun to watch, as the camera moves back and forth as if we can see them. And then the reactions of the whole town to SpongeBob and Patrick's ghost pranks are excellent. I really like Nat's reaction, with his eyes coming out of his head and drive away. The scene at Sandy's treedome is funny with just the right amount of eerie atmosphere. This scene also inspired a very nostalgic
YTP, so that's always fun. And then the whole montage of them pranking the entire town is great as well, I love the "toast" bit. Sandals stays unbothered.
Speaking of comedic and eerie, I love the scene at the Krusty Krab. The tension is held just long enough, with Mr. Krabs trembling in fear in the dark, and then being cornered into the bathroom. Mr. Krabs's whole outfit is great as well. SpongeBob and Patrick really put in a lot of effort for this last prank, and it shows. Clogging the toilets, replacing the glass, man they really wanted to scare Mr. Krabs. And scare they did. At least, that's until he throws water on them.
The ending of this episode is a good bit of universal justice, actually brought in SpongeBob's direction for once, as Mr. Krabs exposes the duo (and their nude selves) as the "Bikini Bottom ghosts". Honestly, this last joke feels almost adult with the wolf whistles and everything lol. But it's a pretty funny ending regardless.
There really isn't all that much to say about "Pranks A Lot". It's funny. Maybe not outstandingly so, but it's still funny. And it's satisfying too, because everyone gets what they deserve in the end. It's a good entry on my "Great" tier, and a pretty good note to close season 3 on.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.3/10
See, I meant it when I said I wouldn't be doing what I did last month with my season 2 reviews. But golly, these reviews have just been getting longer and longer. I'm happy that I have so much to say about these episodes, but it makes it harder to ensure that I keep up with these reviews lol. Anyway, season overview tomorrow, and the plan is to hit the movie on Tuesday before next month rolls around. From there I may take Wednesday off lol, but then I'll be back to make sure I hit all of season 4 in February. 
