The first half of Season 9 is very similar to Season 8, particularly because of the animation.
The second half, on the other hand, is much closer to Season 5.
As a hole, Season 9 sure is an improvement over the Seasons 6-8. This season did many things right, such as having the main characters in character most of the time. Patrick is a good example, even in the first half.
And like Pieguyrulz said, Season 9A sure was creative when it came to Plankton.
Wait, did I say every main character was in character for the most part? Um... I take it back.
There's one character who mostly was NOT in character:
Squidward.
I know I'm harsh on Squidward all the time, but it's mostly because of most SB reviewers out there. But it's also because of this very season. I HATE Squidward in this season! :mad: With the exception of The Sewers of Bikini Bottom, Yeti Krabs and Mutiny on the Krusty, Squidward is really nasty in almost every episode he appears in. People say he was never flanderized, but this season is a clear evidence of that.
Episodes like
Patrick! The Game and
The Whole Tooth need to be made more often, as Squidward got proper punishment for being such a meanie. And those two episodes were particularly satisfying after
Little Yellow Book,
Squid Plus One and
The Executive Treatment.
Squidward's treatment in
The Fishbowl was also satisfying to me after cameos like Picture Day and Sun Bleached.
Most overrated episodes: Squid Plus One and The Executive Treatment.
Most underrated episodes: Patrick! The Game and The Whole Tooth.
Most overhated episodes: Squid Defense, Spongebob, you're fired! and The Fishbowl.
Most underhated episodes: Little Yellow Book, Squid Plus One and The Executive Treatment.
I don't have any particular Bottom 5/ Top 5 yet, but let me share my current opinions on some episodes anyway:
Least favorite 9A episode: Little Yellow Book
Least favorite 9B episode: Squid Plus One
Favorite 9A episode: Plankton's Pet
Favorite 9B episode: The Whole Tooth