Line #11 Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E3BigPinkLoserBubbleBuddy


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f7c69fee_6465_419f_91da_4faad28d4d83.jpeg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:"I got an award!"]]
3
4	'''Big Pink Loser'''
5
6	'''Original air date:''' 2/3/2001 ''(produced in 2000)''
7
8	Patrick wants to win an award like all the ones [=SpongeBob=] has, so [=SpongeBob=] helps him out by giving him a job at the Krusty Krab. But having his best friend work with him becomes a nightmare when Patrick starts imitating everything [=SpongeBob=] does.
9	----
10	!!"Big Pink Loser" contains examples of:
11	* AnimationBump: While the episode is animated in the Season 2-onwards style, the character designs are much closer to the ones they had in Season 1. Particularly Patrick's, who has the sideways M-shaped eyebrows rather than the Z ones he has nowadays.
12	* ArsonMurderAndAdmiration: [=SpongeBob=]'s reaction to seeing Patrick dressed identically to him.
13	-->'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' Wow! It's amazing how a simple change of clothes can make a guy look... just like... me.\
14	'''Patrick:''' Yup! If I'm gonna be an award winner, I've gotta ''dress'' like one!\
15	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' That's creepy. ...But, flattering!
16	* AssumedWin: The episode starts with Patrick being mailed a trophy, only to find out it's really for [=SpongeBob=].
17	* BaitAndSwitch: When Patrick applies for a job at the Krusty Krab, he tells [=SpongeBob=] that it was nice of Mr. Krabs to give him a job. [=SpongeBob=] then says "And at $50.00 an hour, too.", implying that's going to be Patrick's salary. [=SpongeBob=] then says "When I started working here, I had to pay Mr. Krabs $100.00 an hour."
18	* BigEater: Patrick eats three Krusty combo meals (Krabby Patty and drink) in a row. Though this shouldn't be a surprise, since he's eaten vastly larger quantities of food in lots of episodes.
19	* {{Bookends}}: The episode starts with Patrick napping before being disturbed awake by an award which was meant for [=SpongeBob=], and ends with him winning an award for real and going back to sleep to protect his title.
20	* BorrowedCatchphrase: When he starts copying [=SpongeBob=], Patrick imitates [=SpongeBob=]'s trademark "I'm ready" chant while running to the Krusty Krab.
21	* BrickJoke: The episode begins with Norton shoving a trophy meant for [=SpongeBob=] into Patrick's mouth, and when Patrick finally ''does'' get a trophy, it instead gets shoved into [=SpongeBob's=] mouth.
22	* CirclingBirdies: Patrick sees circling ''trophies'' after hitting himself in the head one too many times.
23	* ConsolationWorldRecord: Patrick finally gets an award of his own at the end of the episode, a trophy "for doing absolutely nothing longer than anyone else".
24	* CoordinatedClothes: Patrick starts dressing up like [=SpongeBob=] as part of an attempt to be a winner just like him. [=SpongeBob=] finds it a little creepy, but flattering.
25	* CreateYourOwnVillain: [=SpongeBob=] for telling Patrick to do ''exactly as he does''.
26	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: [=SpongeBob=] receives a trophy for "Outstanding Achievement in Achievement."
27	* TheDitz: Patrick, as best proven in this dialogue:
28	-->'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' This time, I've got something I know you can do. We're gonna open a jar. ''[opens a jar himself]'' Easy! Now you try. First, get a jar.\
29	'''Patrick:''' ''[produces a pickle from {{hammerspace}}]''\
30	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' Patrick, that's a pickle.\
31	'''Patrick:''' Yes.\
32	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' You need a jar.\
33	'''Patrick:''' ''[produces a spatula]''\
34	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' No...\
35	'''Patrick:''' ''[produces his own shorts]''\
36	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' No...\
37	'''Patrick:''' ''[produces [=SpongeBob=] himself]''\
38	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' No... try this. ''[hands Patrick a jar]'' Now, take the lid off the jar. ''[does so himself]''\
39	'''Patrick:''' ''[places the jar in his mouth]''
40	* EarnYourHappyEnding: Patrick ends up getting a well-deserved award at the end of the episode.
41	* EpicFail:
42	** Patrick's choice of who to show off "his" trophy to: his rock home, Bikini Atoll, and a bunch of jellyfish who don't care about his award, they just sting him ''en masse''.
43	** Patrick's first day on his shift at the Krusty Krab. His next day isn't glamorous either, but it did end much faster.
44	* ExactWords:
45	** When Patrick becomes waiter at the Krusty Krab, the first time [=SpongeBob=] rings an order he simply eats it. The second time, [=SpongeBob=] tells Patrick to take the tray to the customer, which he does... after eating all the food first. Next [=SpongeBob=] tells him to make sure the food reaches the table, which he does... and then he eats it.
46	** Patrick follows [=SpongeBob=]‘s advice to "Do exactly as I do" too literally -- by dressing up as him and copying everything he says and does.
47	* ExplodingCloset: Patrick opens [=SpongeBob's=] closet looking for ice cream and is covered by an avalanche of trophies.
48	* EyeScream: After Patrick opens [=SpongeBob=]'s award closet, [=SpongeBob=] is briefly shown with two first place ribbons stuck to his eyes.
49	* FallOfTheHouseOfCards: [=SpongeBob=] builds a house of cards shaped like Gary, but it falls down just as Patrick bursts into [=SpongeBob=]'s house.
50	* FiveSecondForeshadowing: The trophy for [=SpongeBob=] that Patrick got by mistake says, "For outstanding achievement in achievement." This is a sign that, ten seconds later, Patrick will open up an ExplodingCloset full of [=SpongeBob=]'s hundreds of awards.
51	* FunnyPhoneMisunderstanding: Patrick is put in charge of answering the phone, but whenever someone asks "Is this the Krusty Krab?", he thinks they're asking about him and answers "No, this is Patrick." Eventually he gets angry at being called a "crusty crab", and that's when [=SpongeBob=] reminds him that's what the restaurant is called.
52	-->'''Patrick''': Oooh.... '''''FISHPASTE!'''''
53	* GoToSleepEnding: The episode ends with Patrick going to sleep under his rock to protect his title.
54	* GreenEyedMonster: The plot goes into motion because Patrick wants an award like the ones [=SpongeBob=] has.
55	* HadTheSillyThingInReverse: Patrick sweeps the floor holding the broom handle side down.
56	* IAmNotWeasel: Patrick thinks all the people calling to ask "Is this the Krusty Krab?" are calling ''him'' a crusty crab.
57	* IncredibleShrinkingMan: [=SpongeBob=] makes himself smaller as he tells Patrick to think of a smaller activity that will get him an award.
58	* InnerMonologueConversation: Patrick is imitating everything [=SpongeBob=] says and does. [=SpongeBob=] thinks "At least I'm safe inside my mind", then hears Patrick thinking the same thing.
59	* IrritationIsTheSincerestFormOfFlattery: Patrick starts doing everything [=SpongeBob=] does.
60	* IsItSomethingYouEat: When Patrick has to give back the award, this exchange occurs.
61	-->'''Patrick:''' But... it's shiny.\
62	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' Yeah, but you know what else is shiny?\
63	'''Patrick:''' Ice cream!
64	* LazyBum: Patrick was awarded with the prize "For Doing Absolutely Nothing Longer Than Anyone Else".
65	* ALessonLearnedTooWell: Patrick takes [=SpongeBob=]'s advice to "do exactly as I do" too literally. Also doubles as ExactWords.
66	* LudicrousGibs: A non-lethal example: [=SpongeBob=]'s "Slice And Dice" jump rope trick ends up [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin slicing and dicing him]] into several pieces, but he's none the worse for wear. Patrick, who got tangled up in his jump rope trying to imitate the trick, promptly pulls his rope tighter until he too has been ripped into pieces, and he's equally unfazed by it.
67	* TheReasonISuckSpeech: Near the end, [=SpongeBob=] tries doing what Patrick does, but Patrick only complains how [=SpongeBob=] is wasting his time copying someone as pathetic as him.
68	-->'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' ''(imitating Patrick)'' Hi! I'm Patrick Star! I'm the laziest, pinkest starfish in Bikini Bottom, and I wish I were me and not [=SpongeBob=]!\
69	'''Patrick:''' What's so great about being a [[TitleDrop big pink loser]]?! ''([=SpongeBob=]'s nose pokes out)'' Exactly! I was never closer to an award than the minute I started copying you.\
70	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' But Patrick--\
71	'''Patrick:''' Patrick's not here!
72	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Once Patrick gets a job at the Krusty Krab, Squidward quits and gives his hat to him, refusing to work with both his neighbors. He takes the hat back and returns once Patrick leaves and follows [=SpongeBob=].
73	* ShoutOut: Patrick claims that his life's dream is to "defeat [[Film/TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzaiAcrossThe8thDimension the giant Monkey-Man and save the 9th dimension]]." Amusingly enough, Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs) starred in the movie being referenced.
74	* StopCopyingMe: Patrick does it to [=SpongeBob=].
75	* ThatManIsDead: Downplayed. When [=SpongeBob=] tries to address Patrick by his name near the end, Patrick yells, "Patrick's not here!"
76	* TitleDrop: "What's so great about being a big pink loser?"
77	* WingdingEyes: [=SpongeBob=]‘s eyes turn into stars as he tries to convince Patrick he can do anything.
78	* WinsByDoingAbsolutelyNothing: Patrick's award for "Doing Absolutely Nothing Longer Than Anyone Else."
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80	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4d064313_4170_4552_8d2d_97bc0c9e2ee0.jpeg]]
81	[[caption-width-right:350:Happy Leif Erikson Day!]]
82
83	'''Bubble Buddy'''
84
85	'''Original air date:''' 2/3/2001 ''(produced in 2000)''
86
87	With his friends away, [=SpongeBob=] decides to make a new friend, literally, by blowing a bubble in the shape of a person. But soon, "Bubble Buddy" starts to get on everybody's nerves, and now [=SpongeBob=] has to save his new friend from being popped.
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89	!!"Bubble Buddy" contains examples of:
90	* AlliterativeTitle: On the account of being titled after '''B'''ubble '''B'''uddy, which is an AlliterativeName.
91	* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: Inverted when the townspeople rattle off the crimes Bubble Buddy has committed against them, which are all reasonably petty except the last one:
92	-->'''Francis:''' He kept us waiting [two hours] for a bubble?!\
93	'''Larry:''' That's nothing! He called us fat!\
94	'''Pearl:''' [[ItMakesSenseInContext He washed my flipper!]]\
95	'''Mr. Krabs:''' He owes ''me'' money!\
96	'''Squidward:''' He made ''me'' provide excellent service!\
97	'''Scooter's Ghost:''' Dudes! He made ''me'' experience high tide!
98	* BeachBury: Scooter asks to be buried, but when the time comes to dig him out, [=SpongeBob=] leaves it to Bubble Buddy, who of course doesn't. [[SandNecktie And the tide is starting to come in...]]
99	* BigNo: [=SpongeBob=] gives a long, [[SlowNo slow-motion]] one when Squidward attempts to pop Bubble Buddy. It goes on for so long that [=SpongeBob=] eventually starts throwing in random vowel noises for added ridiculousness.
100	* BlackComedy: "[[VerbalTic Dudes!]] He made me experience high tide!"
101	* BluntNo: When trying to hang with his friends at the beginning of the episode, [=SpongeBob=] sees notes on the front of their houses explaining why they can't do so. In Squidward's case, it's one of these. And when [=SpongeBob=] tries to see if Squid means it...
102	* BluntYes: he's met with this.
103	* BreadEggsMilkSquick: The townspeople's complaints about Bubble Buddy are all relatively benign... until we get to [[TheyKilledKennyAgain Scooter's]].
104	* BullyingADragon: Bubble Buddy ([[PerspectiveFlip or in another perspective]], [=SpongeBob=]) harasses and exploits the Bikini Bottom civilians (especially Squidward) who then retaliate by pulling out sharp needles.
105	* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: "Every day is a holiday for [=SpongeBob=], even if he has to make one up."
106	* CompanionCube:
107	** Bubble Buddy, who later turns out to be alive after all.
108	** The other characters' prized possessions: "Nickel Buddy", "Funny Muffler", "Jerky Pal", "Boo Boo Keys", and "Snake Eyes" (a pair of fuzzy dice).
109	* CurseCutShort: Squidward is cut off before he can suggest to [=SpongeBob=] that he take the patties made for Bubble Buddy and [[AssShove shove them up his ass]].
110	* DeadpanSnarker: Squidward to Mr. Krabs during the "bubble money" scene.
111	* DisproportionateRetribution:
112	** Mr. Krabs threatens to fill Squidward's life with misery and woe (even if he quits) for the crime of refusing to serve the obviously-inanimate Bubble Buddy.
113	** While the rest of the mob has somewhat understandable reasons for wanting to pop Bubble Bubby. Larry's reason is for thinking he (Bubble Buddy) called him and friends fat because [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext SpongeBob told Bubble Buddy to "shake that bubble butt"]].
114	* EasilyForgiven: It turns out Bubble Buddy is alive after all; still, the people of Bikini Bottom are pretty quick to forgive the entire thing after [=SpongeBob=] has managed to inconvenience everybody in town, including causing Scooter to ''drown'' when he left Bubble Buddy to dig him up.
115	* FictionalHoliday: Averted; despite the French Narrator's claim that [=SpongeBob=] made it up, Leif Erikson Day is in fact a holiday in real life.
116	* GrossUpCloseUp: Pearl's dirty flipper after she shakes hands with Grubby Grouper.
117	* {{Homage}}: Creator/MrLawrence based Bubble Buddy on Hasbro's "My Buddy" dolls. Note how Bubble Buddy's arms are perpetually spread out, as if anticipating a hug, much like how the dolls were designed.
118	* HopeSpot: [=SpongeBob=] manages to convince the mob to spare Bubble Buddy since most of them have their own {{Companion Cube}}s to speak of... but they still want to pop him once he's finished.
119	* JerkassHasAPoint: Popping Bubble Buddy for skimping on a restaurant bill [[DisproportionateRetribution is a little harsh]], but he ''does'' owe Mr. Krabs money and bubble money isn't legal currency.
120	* KissedKeepsake: Pearl shakes hands with her celebrity crush Grubby Grouper and swears to never wash the hand. Then Bubble Buddy comes along, shakes it, and the soap on him causes it to be sparkly clean, and Pearl bursts out sobbing.
121	* LargeHam: ''(slo-mo)'' "NOOOOOOOOOOO" (slower) "OOOOOOOOOO" (even slower) "OOOOOOBLAGROBLORGRLBOABGLR-!!!!!"
122	* MisplacedRetribution: Mr. Krabs leads the angry mob tip something over, so they tip over the lifeguard tower with the lifeguard in it. They pause when wondering what to do next, then shout "GET THE LIFEGUARD!!", which Squidward stops them from doing, thankfully.
123	* MurderByInaction: Bubble Buddy refuses to dig Scooter out of the ground, causing him to [[SandNecktie drown from high tide]] and reemerge as an [[WingedSoulFliesOffAtDeath ascending angel]]. It's at first believed to be because Bubble Buddy is an inanimate object, but the ending reveals that Bubble Buddy is alive, meaning he intentionally let Scooter die.
124	* OcularGushers: Pearl turns them on when Bubble Buddy washes her flipper.
125	* OvercomplicatedMenuOrder: Not only does Squidward have to make one of everything on the menu for Bubble Buddy, but [=SpongeBob=] repeated makes him take the order back and fix it in increasingly specific (and eventually inane) ways.
126	-->'''Squidward:''' Here! One of everything! No cheese, no crust, pickles to the left, four squirts of ketchup, wheat buns, non-dairy lettuce, and farm-raised tomatoes ''carnival''-style! And if there's anything else I can do, please ''hesitate'' to ask!
127	* ThePigPen: Grubby Grouper, professional beach bum. Some of his dirt sticks to Pearl's flipper when Grubby shakes it, which she vows to never wash again -- only for Bubble Buddy to clean it off.
128	* PoorCommunicationKills: Larry and a group of beachgoers were mad at [=SpongeBob=] supposedly calling them fat when he was simply saying "shake that bubble butt!" to Bubble Buddy (who has a literal bubble butt) while dancing.
129	* PragmaticVillainy: Squidward keeps the angry mob from attacking a lifeguard, not out of the goodness of his heart, but because it's not worth it and it would only make an already bad situation even worse. As he points out, Bubble Buddy is the one causing trouble, so they should deal with him instead.
130	* PunctuatedForEmphasis: The Bikini Bottomites repeatedly chant "POP! THE! BUBBLE!"
131	* PulledFromYourDayOff: {{Inverted\|Trope}}: Squidward tries to enjoy [=SpongeBob's=] day off, but [=SpongeBob=] comes into work anyway to show Squidward his new friend, Bubble Buddy. He also makes Squidward make Bubble Buddy one of everything on the menu, with various alterations to suit Bubble Buddy's needs.
132	* RageBreakingPoint: Harold, Nat, and the other fishes in the bathroom line aren't at first too concerned about Bubble Buddy taking a long time, but when it gets to the point where the line is long enough to require signs that tell how long the line is...
133	-->'''Harold:''' '''TWO HOURS IS LONG ENOUGH!''' '''''THAT'S IT!'''''
134	%%ZCE * RealAfterAll: Bubble Buddy.
135	* RuleOfFunny: Bubble Buddy being RealAfterAll. It's really just a silly way for the episode to avoid what would otherwise have been a really sad ending.
136	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After revealing to be alive after all, Bubble Buddy calmly and gently breaks the news to [=SpongeBob=] that he has to go because he angered the townspeople.
137	* ShamingTheMob: [=SpongeBob=] implores the mob trying to pop Bubble Buddy to spare him, reminding them of their own {{Companion Cube}}s. [[IgnoredEpiphany After a moment of consideration]], [[SubvertedTrope they still want to pop Bubble Buddy afterward]].
138	* SpecialGuest: Legendary surfer Corky Carroll as Grubby Grouper.
139	* StupidestThingIveEverHeard: A nonverbal example. When [=SpongeBob=] tells Squidward that Bubble Buddy is lactose intolerant (and therefore can't eat the many, many Krabby Patties Squidward was forced to make for him, which contain cheese), Squidward makes a ThousandYardStare of TranquilFury as he tries to comprehend how he's just heard something ''that'' stupid.
140	* SuddenDownerEnding: Inverted. The episode would've ended on a straight-up DownerEnding if Bubble Buddy wasn't revealed to be sentient and caught the needle in time.
141	* TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat: [=SpongeBob=] goes to Squidward's home asking him if he wants to play. A sign on the door reads "NO". [=SpongeBob=] asks "Are you sure?" and pulls off the sign, revealing another that reads "YES".
142	* TheyKilledKennyAgain: Scooter dies by the end of this episode, but [[BackFromTheDead continues to appear throughout the series afterwards]].
143	* TooMuchInformation: {{Parodied\|Trope}}. Since Bubble Buddy ReallyWasBornYesterday, [=SpongeBob=] is just stating facts, but the beachgoers in line for the bathroom think he's being weird.
144	-->'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' My friend's in there!\
145	'''Harold:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Congratulations.]]\
146	'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' It's his first time on his own.\
147	'''Harold:''' Once again... ''[[SarcasmMode congratulations.]]''
148	* TorchesAndPitchforks: The other fish start one to get rid of Bubble Buddy.
149	* WaterIsAir: Scooter drowns in the high tide... despite already being underwater, since he's a fish.
150	* WhamLine: Bubble Buddy revealing himself to be alive.
151	-->'''Bubble Buddy:''' Whoa! Hey, don't ''I'' get a say in this?
152	* WingedSoulFliesOffAtDeath: After experiencing high tide, Scooter appears as a translucent figure with wings and a halo before ascending to Heaven. [[ResetButton He gets better the next episode]].
153	* WorthlessCurrency: Bubble Buddy pays for his meal in bubble money, which pops in Mr. Krabs' claws.
154	-->'''Squidward:''' ''(holding a handful of bubble coins)'' At least they left a tip.\
155	''(the bubble coins pop. Squidward and Krabs both growl with extreme fury)''
156	* WrittenInAbsence: To justify why [=SpongeBob=] has to create Bubble Buddy instead of just playing with Patrick or Sandy, the former is out getting more giant paper while the latter went south for the winter.
157	----
158	->''"So, you thought I was kidding, eh? No, in Bikini Bottom, excellence can be found, even under a rock."''

Context Recap / SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E3BigPinkLoserBubbleBuddy