Next up, we've got "Karate Island"! This is a very memorable episode for me. Not sure if it crosses into the realm of nostalgia, but it is an episode that sticks out to me. Does that mean it's exceptionally good? Well, no, but it surely isn't a bad episode, so let's just talk about it!
Now of course, y'all already know I love this beginning scene, because my boy Gary is here! I cannot stress enough how much of a win it is when Gary appears in any significant capacity (with certain exceptions, of course). But anyway this scene is fun and cute and has some great visual gags, and it helps set up the episode nicely with the mailman coming in while SpongeBob is cleaning Gary's shell. And then I love the dramatics as SpongeBob gets his mail, and how absolutely tired the mailman is of SpongeBob.
I also like that this episode is about karate, as it had been a minute since we've seen SpongeBob (and then Sandy) do karate or more action-oriented things like this. Coming pretty soon after "Chimps Ahoy" too is nice, because we're getting to see all facets of Sandy. And I love how Sandy gives SpongeBob's ego no time when she rightfully says that her karate is far better than his. I will say that SpongeBob is kind of annoying in this first part of the episode, with him having an inflated ego and trying to say that he is "king of karate" or whatever, especially once they get to the island. I oscillate between being able to ignore it and getting legitimately annoyed by it, so...not a good look, for SpongeBob or the episode. And I get it, it's hard to make main characters egotistical for an episode without them feeling really annoying and out of character, but dang I wish they'd get it right lmao. Anyway, I really like Sandy in this episode, because of what I just said before, and her concern for SpongeBob despite his annoying ego. Also, her Texas-isms were really on-point this episode (not that anyone from Texas talks like that, but they were pleasing to listen to lol).
Anyway, I love when the episode takes a turn with SpongeBob getting chained to his throne and Master Udon taking out a pen (menacingly). From here, the episode gets much, much better, because this is when Sandy comes back to save SpongeBob, giving us all sorts of entertaining action sequences. Also, I like how her plan was literally swimming back to Bikini Bottom lmao. But anyway, I love that Sandy without a single explanation (though it is lampshaded later) just waltzes right into the building looking like The Bride from Kill Bill. Given that this episode premiered decently close to when Kill Bill came out (kind of, I'm taking liberties), I'm wondering if the kids watching it understood that reference. Also, I love how this episode was referenced so heavily in The Cosmic Shake.
But anyway, I love the fight scenes Sandy has with The Tickler, Lipp Cervas (clever name), and Filthy Phil. All of these fights have excellent applications of puns and one-liners, with the kind of campy action atmosphere I love to see. Each fight also has specifically fun moments that I love. With the Tickler, I absolutely love the delivery on the jelly donuts line, I also think it's hilarious that jelly donuts are The Tickler's weakness lol. And then with Lipp Cervas, the chapped lips solution is genius, and I love the way the lips just break off lol. And on the theme of pretty smart writing, I love that Sandy was unaffected by Filthy Phil due to her air helmet.
And then once Sandy breaks through and gets to SpongeBob, I love how it turns out that this whole thing was a scheme for...real estate. It's just so nonsequitir and absurd that it's hilarious. All expectations are shattered and I adore it. I love how this episode gives no craps about going straight into legit real estate talk that I cannot understand haha. This really feels like an episode with plenty of entertainment value for the adults. And then of course we have the final fight, where both Master Udon and Sandy become super buff for no reason (well, Sandy's been buff, as we've seen in "MuscleBob BuffPants" haha) and get into a knockout drag out fight.
The ending of this episode is great too. I like that we see a resolution of SpongeBob's annoying ego in this episode by him apologizing and paying for his actions (given he almost fell for a real estate scheme). And then I love how when SpongeBob and Sandy are leaving, Sandy starts getting into a lecture about real estate lmao. Not you Sandy, not you! And then of course we've got the very last bit of the episode, where Squidward suddenly shows up, talking about being the King of Clarinets, while Master Udon looks on menacingly, despite having just fell into the ocean lol. That makes me wonder how the H did these people know that SpongeBob and Squidward were into karate and clarinet, respectively? Well, maybe Squidward's hobby is well-known. Who knows.
"Karate Island" is a fun, action-filled episode. The beginning of the episode is a bit weak with SpongeBob's ego getting pretty annoying especially once we reach the island, but that gets resolved real quick when Master Udon's plan reveals itself, and we spend the rest of the episode with Sandy and her fun fights. So I think this episode fits nicely into my "Great" tier, because I typically can get past the annoying SpongeBob stuff in favor for the rest.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.5/10