My TOP and BOTTOM 10 season 1 episodes

Random Guy

Bomb-Selling Pirate
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While we're waiting for season 11 to be completed, let's go back to 20 years ago, when the show began. Albeit not an original idea, I still want to give my thoughts on the single best and worst episodes from each season. Let's start from my favorite 10 episodes of the very first season:

#10: BOATING SCHOOL (4a)
The very first boating school-themed episode of the show. It's not particularly brilliant, but brings up some good jokes, Hawaiian Train as the title card theme, and Patrick genuinely helping Spongebob pass his driving test. I also like the idea of Spongebob feeling guilty for cheating his test, which makes him so pure.

#9: F.U.N. (10b)
I actually don't care about the song. I think it's a bit overrated and overplayed. What I do like is how we shouldn't consider Plankton a hero, since he's the evil guy of the show and we shouldn't expect him to become Spongebob's friend. Krabs' attitude is also on-point, as he suggests Spongebob to stay away from Plankton for his own sake, too. The fact Krabs kinda consoles him at the end is definitely positive, as it shows his behavior when he's not focused on money.

#8: NAUGHTY NAUTICAL NEIGHBORS (4b)
Another episode with Hawaiian Train, which is played twice in the episode. Noice. Here Squidward is in the wrong, but unlike other times, he does DESERVE his comeuppance in the end. After all, he's the main cause of the temporary end of Spongebob and Patrick's friendship. I like some parts, like the cello scene and the soda sequence and the fact Patrick points out Squidward's jealousy towards their friendship shows how he's kinda smart.

#7: SLEEPY TIME (15a)
This is an ideal concept for a wacky show like Spongebob. The best dream sequences are Gary and Squidward's, and it's hilarious how Clarinetbob manages to make the audience cry with his Lalalalala.

#6: PICKLES (6b)
The official debut of Bubble Bass, formerly Spongebob's rival (only in this instance). This episode has lots of positive notes, like Krabs' will to help Spongebob, Squidward burning everything, including milkshakes and Spongebob's determination, which is often masked by his whiny attitude. Maybe Squidward being booed in the end is a bit unfair, considering he's not a cook, but I like that Spongebob gives him credit for replacing him temporarily.

#5: PLANKTON! (3b)
The official debut of our big little jerk, Plankton. We reached top 5, and these are all episodes I consider great. Why is this great? Because of several good jokes, like 'This is my lab', 'The alphabet song' and the great line 'Shut up, you mediocre clarinet player'. Overall, Plankton's evil scheme is effective and it fails because of his curiosity and hunger. It's not stupid, on the contrary, makes quite sense. Chill Out is used here, in the title card for Walking Small and as BlackJack's theme. Only three times. Too bad.

#4: SCAREDY PANTS (13a)
Recently, I reconsidered I Was a Teenage Gary, its sister episode, and I don't find it as bad as I used to think (therefore, you won't see it in the bottom 10 list). Nonetheless, this is still much better, since its imagery is creepy ON PURPOSE, and the Flying Dutchman being scared of Spongebob's pink hat is definitely a nice twist.

#3: CULTURE SHOCK (10a)
F.U.N. sister episode. I really like the amount of gags of this one, like Patrick non-stop laughing during Squidward's unfunny lines, Pearl cheerleading and of course, Squidward's awkward dancing. Much like Naughty Nautical Neighbors, they give a reason for his comeuppance at the end, since he's way too cocky and selfish and keeps on snobbing Spongebob.

#2: PIZZA DELIVERY (5a)
While I think it's NOT among the absolute best Spongebob episodes ever, it's still great for its great characters and a rather enjoyable plot. The pioneer hatchhiking bit is funny, even though I prefer angry Squidward playing his tentacles. I don't mind the Krusty Krab Pizza bit, and I don't find it that fantastic due to being overplayed and overpraised lots of times. Although, I do find the ending extremely satisfying, with Squidward feeling sad for Spongebob, which is really nice of him.

Honorable mentions: Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost, Home Sweet Pineapple, Bubblestand.

#1: SB-129 (14a)
One of my favorite episodes ever. I love the concept, I love the different timelines and the ALONE bit is so creepy it's funny. And you know what the irony is? It all started off with Spongebob and Patrick annoying Squidward, and in general, this kind of plot is poorly executed. Instead, we get a great episode, with an alternate version of the Spongebob Closing Theme when Squidward does sit-ups repeating 'FUTURE'.

Tomorrow I'm posting my BOTTOM 10 season 1 episodes.
 

Random Guy

Bomb-Selling Pirate
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Okay, after my TOP 10, it's time for my BOTTOM 10 of season 1. Season 1 doesn't have many bad episodes, but some of them are either forgettable or just boring. As a matter of fact, I don't hate neither of these 10 episodes: 10-4 are dull or boring, while I definitely dislike 3-1, as I consider them BAD, but not terrible like some future episodes. In other words, none of these is in my personal worst episodes ever list. Without procrastinating any further, let's take on my BOTTOM 10 season 1 episodes.

#10: RIPPED PANTS (2b)
I don't particularly dislike this episode, and its concept is probably as simple as its sister, Bubblestand. Unfortunately, it's not as acceptable as Bubblestand, as the running gag of Spongebob's ripped pants is incredibly repetitive, and even though it is repetitive on purpose, the execution doesn't feel that compelling. Maybe the crying lifeguard holding Spongebob bit is quite amusing, but overall, I'm definitely not that impressed by this, not even story-wise. Recently I criticized Sandy in Sportz for being way too violent. You know what? I actually prefer Sportz Sandy over Ripped Pants Sandy, because she has barely no personality here. She's just here to laugh at Spongebob's ripped pants. As for the song, I don't care for it.

#9: JELLYFISH JAM (7b)
Yeah, we know its songs very well by now. What about the rest, though? Where is the story? There's also no direction here. Needless to say, I'm totally not a fan of the intruders at Spongebob's home plot. Be it Jellyfish Jam, Sanctuary or House Worming, I don't care. They're all not that good. This episode only exists for the songs, because everything else is so forgettable. Music is a factor, but you mustn't overlook everything else. Between us, I'm not a fan of Spongebob's retarded season 1 smirk.

#8: SUDS (15b)
Again, it's not that bad, but I fail to spot actual comedy. This Dr. Patrick may be better than The Splinter Dr. Patrick, but I just don't find it entertaining. It's quite boring. The ending is also pretty dumb.

#7: NEPTUNE'S SPATULA (19b)
Once again, we get another pretty boring episode. 6-7 minutes of EXPOSITION for an underwhelming challenge, and guess what, Neptune is NOT a good character and makes his episodes worse. Luckily, we're far from The Clash of Triton horrors. I also used to think Krabs' parts were funny... on second thought, they're pretty dull, too.

#6: THE CHAPERONE (12a)
Another incredibly boring entry. Keep in mind we're still in the meh territory, since I don't loathe them that much, even though they can be quickly overlooked. Unlike common thoughts, I think post-movie Pearl is better characterized than pre-movie Pearl, since she was portrayed as a bratty and whiny teenager. At the very least, they eventually give REASONS for Pearl being annoying, like Krabs being a cheapskate towards her. Hell, he doesn't even buy her a birthday cake. Anyway, Spongebob's dummy is the best thing of this forgettable episode, albeit nonsensical.

#5: HALL MONITOR (7a)
I mean, there must be a reason why someone doesn't remember this episode. It's once again pretty boring and dumb, too. This Spongebob is actually closer to S6 Spongebob than S1. He's Shuffleboarding-like stupid and reckless, whereas Mrs. Puff is Bumper to Bumper-like mean-spirited and unlikeable. You get the idea.

#4: MUSCLEBOB BUFFPANTS (11a)
The last meh episode of this list, which is pretty close to be bad for how lame and cheesy the concept is. Okay, Spongebob is no bodybuilder but... he can't even lift a straw and a glass, REALLY? This is so poorly written. Not to mention a pretty stupid ending.

#3: NATURE PANTS (9a)
The first episode of this list I quite dislike. For instance, the concept is nonsensical, since Spongebob has no reason for leaving his job and friends to live with the jellyfish. He's no Squidward, he's usually enthusiastic about everything. This plot makes no sense. The rest isn't better, either, as it gets kinda unsettling with Patrick trying to catch Spongebob with his jellyfish net, which causes an unfunny meme. Squidward throwing a party is the only good scene, as everything else is so twisted and dull.

#2: THE PAPER (16b)
This is just so stupid. I can buy Spongebob's imagination in Idiot Box, but not here, since it's still a bloody piece of PAPER. No matter how many uses he makes, it's still a piece of PAPER. I mean, he makes origami... and that's it. Even if he plays as a pirate, it's still a damm piece of PAPER. As for Squidward, he isn't any smarter, as he wants that paper so badly in the end, as a result he even sells everything he owns to Spongebob. This is nothing like Idiot Box, which isn't that great, but at least knows how to deal with Spongebob's imagination. On the other hand, in The Paper Spongebob's actions are aboveboard, and not even that imaginative or creative. The animation is also mediocre, the gags aren't memorable and as a whole, it's SO repetitive.

Before getting to #1, some not that honorable mentions: Valentine's Day (forgettable), Fools in April (good 1st half, dull 2nd half), Squeaky Boots (don't mind the squeaking, but the animation is poor).

#1: JELLYFISHING (3a)
You know what's the best thing? Spongebob's jellyfish glasses. That's all, since this has every requirement for being a Squidward Torture episode. I know you can't stand that word anymore, but what I CANNOT stand is a character NOT deserving a punishment. In Culture Shock he deserved it. In Naughty Nautical Neighbors he deserved it. Hell, even in Unreal Estate he deserved it. HERE he does nothing wrong, because he doesn't want to go jellyfishing. Thus, because of this, he needs some payback. WHY? No joke, this is just as bad as Good Neighbors. Why? Because they are more or less similar. Spongebob and Patrick are kinda annoying here, and so are the jellyfish. I'm not lying, but the 'firmly grasp it' bit is also as bad as the toenail scene from House Fancy. Besides, can someone explain the use of the Krusty Krab theme during that specific scene? It sounds utterly off. The ending is pretty much satisfying... until the very end, in which the jellyfish zaps Squidward for no particular reason. If it ended with Spongebob and Patrick getting zapped, I'd probably change my mind and make The Paper the true #1. Unfortunately, they still wanted to make him more miserable through an unfunny gag. This is the 1st Squidward Torture procedure in chronological order, and it's my least favorite season 1 episode. Apparently, it turns out I Was a Teenage Gary wasn't as bad as these 10, because it had some redeeming aspects, like the meow singing or Squidward actually DESERVING his comeuppance.
 
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