Seek This One Out

I have children, which in this day and age means I watch my share of Spongebob. The first Spongebob video I ever bought them was Tide And Seek. Here is my review -

The Players -

Spongebob Squarepants - He's the star. When he's not flipping Krabby Patties at the Krusty Krab he is playing with his best friend Patrick, annoying his neighbor Squidward, or playing with his pet snail, Gary.

Patrick Star - Patrick is Spongebob's slow-witted best friend. He lives 2 housed down from Spongebob and whenever Spongebob is not working, the two are practically inseparable.

Squidward Tentacles - Spongebob's cranky neighbor. He considers himself highbrow and artsy, and revels in playing the clarinet, interpretive dancing, painting. He is always annoyed by Spongebob, and spends most every episode in a bad mood due to whatever Spongebob happens to be up to.

Mr. Krabs - Owner of the Krusty Krab. He is a skinflint in every sense of the word. He is ex-navy, very tough, he has a soft spot for Spongebob, but likes NOTHING more than money.

Plankton - The nemesis of Mr Krabs. He is constantly trying to steal the recipe for the Krabby Patty. He owns the Chum Bucket.

Gary the Snail - Spongebob's faithful pet. In the undersea world a snail is like a cat, so that's how he acts.

Pearl - Mr. Krabs' daughter... she's a whale (I don't get it either) in her teens, acts like a (stereo)typical teenager.

Sandy the Squirrel - She is the tough as nails, yet sweet as sugar friend of Spongebob. What's a squirrel doing under the sea you ask? Good question... I wish I had an answer.

Here are the episodes that appear on this DVD, and my ratings of them -

Mermaidman and Barnacleboy III - 8/10 Perhaps my favorite on this collection. Spongebob and Patrick are tasked with guarding the Merma-Lair while their heroes, Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy are on vacation. They end up unfreezing Man-Ray and battling him.

This is a very funny episode. Highlights include Spongebob's and Patrick's Goodness Lessons for Man-Ray, the Orb Of Confusion, and the line, ...and I have checks, with little poodles on them.

Big Pink Loser - 5/10 Not a great episode. Patrick is depressed because he never wins any awards, while Spongebob seems to win one every day. Can Patrick win an award by copying Spongebob's every move?

This is a very mediocre, with the lone highlight in my mind being the customer who asks Patrick, in a very earnest voice, Hey pal, d'you just blow in from stupid town?

Opposite Day - 4/10 - Another lackluster episode. When Squidward decides he wants to sell his house he needs to come up with a plan to keep Spongebob from scaring away potential buyers. He hatches a plan to convince Spongebob that it is opposite day, so he will change his personality for the day.

This is yet another episode that has few high points. The most amusing part, to me, is the case of Spongebob, Patrick and Gary all impersonating Squidward for the real estate agent.

Squirrel Jokes - 4/10 This episode examines Spongebob's desire to be a stand-up comic. When he gets a big chance to launch his career by performing at the Krusty Krab. He has a rough start, but gets people laughing by telling jokes about Squirrels. This offends his good friend Sandy. Can he balance his desire for success with his friendship with Sandy?

This is another weak episode. The highlight to me, is Sandy in the grocery store, when people begin treating her differently because of Spongebob's jokes.

Rock-A-Bye Bivalve - 7/10 This is a pretty good episode. When Spongebob and Patrick find an orphaned Scallop they decide to adopt it, and learn the rigors of parenthood first hand.

This is an above average episode with more than a few laughs. The best parts involve a worm from Appleworld, Patrick asking if the scallop can't fly because he's stupid, and Patrick's "something about rootbeer" line.


Dumped - 5/10 When Spongebob's beloved pet Gary chooses to live with Patrick, it costs him the two closest relationships he has. This tears him apart, leading him to try to find a new pet to replace Gary.

This is a pretty average episode. Highlights include Spongebob's interaction with his new worm Rex, and his new snail Lary.

Bossy Boots - 4.5/10 When Mr. Krabs hires his daughter Perl to reimagine the Krusty Krab the results drive Spongebob to the brink of madness. Can he work up the nerve to tell Mr. Krabs that his daughter is ruining the restaurant?

This episode has a few moments, but really is pretty mediocre. Highlights include Spongebob saying hello to a pole (you have to watch to get that one), and Spongebob's reaction to having to tear down a Krabby Patty to make it into a Salad.

The Bully - 9/10 When a bully named Flats the Flounder begins attending Boating School he threatens to kick Spongebob's butt. Will Spongebob be able to appease him, or find some other way out of the predicament?

This is one of the best episodes on the DVD, and one of the best overall that I've seen. Highlights include Mrs. Puff's attempt to intervene, Spongebob's conversation with Patrick on the phone at Boating School, Flats' garbage truck slipping on a banana peel, the old man who "loves the young people", and too many more to list... it would be easier to just paste the script in here.

Sleepy Time - 3.5/10 When Spongebob is ejected from his dream he finds himself in a world where he is able to enter the dreams of his friends and neighbors. What adventures await him in dream world?

This is not a great episode. They try to fit too many dreams into the 11 minute running time, the result feels choppy and inconsistent. The only highlight for me was Patrick's dream.

Squidsville - 7/10 When Spongebob and Patrick finally go too far, Squidward moves to a gated community far away from them. It's paradise at first, but can you have too much of a good thing?

This is a slightly above average episode with an inflated score due to the fact that it contains one of my all time favorite Spongebob moments. When Spongebob and Patrick have just sucked the door off his house Squidward tunnels out and is so mad he is steaming. Spongebob observes, "Squidward, your steaming... you're like steamed vegetables, only smarter." I don't know why, but I always get a chuckle out of that part.

Overall - 7.5/10 There are better collection out there, but there are also inferior ones. I give this a mild recommendation because it contains two classic episodes that should not be missed, along with enough other moments to make it worth your while.