This episode brings something new to Spongebob episodes we've never seen before: Not only an episode centering on the character dynamics between Squidward and Patrick (the former being a pretty big hater of the latter in the original series) but a friendly and happy one. Squidward genuinely appreciates and enjoys his time with Patrick by the end, and Patrick is well-meaning enough to make his stupidity charming and non-aggravating. The vibe is friendly here in this episode than the last decade of Spongebob episodes with the writing being less harsh to Squidward, Patrick being more naive than ignorant, and the overall presentation being somewhat more low-key. There are a lot of jokes, many of them actually successful, and the episode doesn't over-do the familiar music cues or over-exaggerate slapstick like lesser parts of the franchise are known for. The camp setting is surprisingly effective in giving new life to these tired characters because just like in a real camp setting they have to learn to work and live together in a fun way. The best part of this episode, for me, is the depiction of Squidward crushing on Patrick for real; It is fun and sweet in the cute, innocent way that people usually have their first crush, and it is so smiliar to depictions of straight love in other cartoons that I can't imagine it not being intentional.
Yeah, it's not the best episode of Spongebob and it's still probably only a pleasant 7 out of 10. But I'm not a film critic and I had fun. So what the heck! 10/10.
Yeah, it's not the best episode of Spongebob and it's still probably only a pleasant 7 out of 10. But I'm not a film critic and I had fun. So what the heck! 10/10.
