Recap / SpongeBob SquarePants S 3 E 10 "Wet Painters" / "Krusty Krab Training Video"

Every paint comes off with something.

Wet Painters

Original air date: 5/10/2002 (produced in 2001)

Mr. Krabs has SpongeBob and Patrick paint his house, but warns them that the paint is permanent and will never ever come off. After much shenanigans, the job is done, except for a tiny drop of paint on one of Mr. Krabs' prized possessions, his first dollar earned. Now SpongeBob and Patrick must scramble to clean it up before Mr. Krabs gets back.

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Wait, SpongeBob! We're not cavemen! We have TV Tropes:

• #1 Dime: Mr. Krabs' first dollar earned.
• An Aesop:
  • Don't make false threats towards someone just to get them to do what you want.
  • Always be cautious not to ruin anything when decorating for someone else.
• Bait-and-Switch: Mr. Krabs threatens to sever SpongeBob and Patrick's rear ends and mount them on a wall if they get one tiny drip of paint on one of his possessions. They've managed to get paint on his first dollar earned, and as Mr. Krabs was going to follow up on his threat, it turns out that he licked the paint off of the dollar, revealing that the paint actually comes off by saliva.
• Bait-and-Switch Accusation: Mr. Krabs returns after SpongeBob and Patrick tried to hide the stain on his mounted first dollar. He seems to find everything in order until...
  Mr. Krabs: Flippin' fish fossils! Look what you did!
  SpongeBob and Patrick: (begging) Mr. Krabs, we're so sorry! Have mercy! Don't de-butt me!
  Mr. Krabs: Sorry? You dusted all my knickknacks! That was really nice. Great Barrier Reef!! What's this?!
  SpongeBob and Patrick: (still begging) Accident! Accident! Accident! Accident!
  Mr. Krabs: Oh, and I suppose the floor molding just painted itself on its own. (wall is decorated with tiny ships) That's what I call craftsmanship. CRIMINY JIMJAM!!! You messed up my Dollar... (goes to a stack of dolls) ...Ama!!! (SpongeBob and Patrick give him a confused look) All the dolls in this Doll-a-Rama were perfectly aligned! (straightens one doll)
• Breaking the Fourth Wall: After three title cards show SpongeBob mentally preparing himself to paint Mr. Krabs' wall, Patrick pulls away the last one and tells SpongeBob to get on with it already because he's out of time cards.
• Bring My Brown Pants: When faced with the possibility that Mr. Krabs will cut off his butt, Patrick asks if he can use it one last time.
• The Cameo: Painty the Pirate (who appears to sing the theme song every episode) is the last painting Krabs pulls blocking the view of his dollar.
• Captain Obvious: Every word of dialogue from the scene where SpongeBob and Patrick make their last desperate attempt to get the paint off of Mr. Krabs' first dollar (after attempting to machine-wash it, sand it, and spray it).
  SpongeBob: (brandishes baseball bat) NOTHING'S WORKING!!!
  Patrick: Wait, SpongeBob! We're not cavemen! (walks over to a computer) We have technology. (picks up the computer and angrily grunts as he smashes it on the dollar like a caveman)
  SpongeBob: It didn't work.
• Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon: Mr. Krabs threatens to mount SpongeBob and Patrick's butts on his wall if they don't do a good job of painting his house.
• Depth Deception: When SpongeBob and Patrick set up the tarp, it was initially thought to be large enough to cover most of the floor. The camera then zooms out to reveal that the tarp they used can only cover 9 square inches.
• Diegetic Visual Effects: The title cards indicating how long SpongeBob has been trying to start painting were being held by Patrick in front of the camera.
• Dude, Not Funny!: SpongeBob and Patrick's reaction to Mr. Krabs admitting that he lied to them as a joke, considering all the pressure it put on them. They angrily leave without Mr. Krabs noticing due to him being distracted with his own laughter.
• Dumbass Has a Point:
  • SpongeBob appears to be the only person who can see the microscopic drop of paint on Mr. Krabs' first dollar, and Patrick reacts like how any regular person would.
    SpongeBob: That's not just a dollar! That's Mr. Krabs' first dollar! His most prized possession! And we got paint on it!
    Patrick: I think you are overreacting, SpongeBob. I don't see any paint!
  • Later, Patrick makes a well-thought out rant after he and SpongeBob try to get the paint off of the dollar.
    Patrick: This is all Mr. Krabs' fault! If he hadn't hung that stupid dollar in the first place! ...I mean, it's not like it looks any different than a regular dollar. Why hang it?! You could just stick any old dollar bill up on the wall; no one would even know the difference! You might as well just reach into my wallet, pull out a dollar, and put it on the wall! And it would-
    SpongeBob: Hurry, Patrick! Take out your wallet!
• Epic Fail: Trying to wipe it off, SpongeBob manages to spread a miniscule speck of paint all over the dollar.
• Exact Words: When SpongeBob tries to obscure the paint-smeared dollar from Mr. Krabs by hanging himself on the wall like a painting, Mr. Krabs tells him to "Get down onto the floor, boy!". While he implicitly meant for SpongeBob to unhang himself from the wall, SpongeBob obliges... by staying where he is and stretching his lower half down until his feet touch the floor.
  Mr. Krabs: Alright, now you're just being silly.
• From Bad to Worse: Played for Laughs.
  SpongeBob: Barnacles! What could be worse than a giant paint bubble?!
  • Patrick only got a microscopic amount of paint upon Mr. Krabs' dollar. SpongeBob trying to wipe off the paint with his red tie gets the entire dollar smeared in paint!
    Patrick: Ohh, now I see it!
• Hoist by His Own Petard: After Mr. Krabs reveals that the paint wasn't permanent, he has a good long laugh at his little joke. He laughs so hard, in fact, that it causes spit to fly everywhere and melt all the paint from the walls. Doubles as Laser-Guided Karma.
  Mr. Krabs: Aw, crud! I really gotta learn to say it, not spray it.
• Hypocritical Humor: Two instances, both from Patrick:
  • Right after pleading for SpongeBob to be careful with opening of his own can of paint with a screwdriver, Patrick pulls a humongous battleaxe from nowhere in order to open his paint can.
  • While trying to remove the paint stain from Mr. Krab's dollar by whaling it with a bat:
    Patrick: Wait, SpongeBob! We're not cavemen! (walks over to a computer) We have technology. (picks up the computer and angrily grunts as he smashes it on the dollar like a caveman)
• I Lied: In the end, Mr. Krabs confesses that the "permanent" paint actually comes off with saliva. SpongeBob assumes that this was a Secret Test to ensure that he and Patrick would be careful not to get paint on anything, but Mr. Krabs admits that he only said so to mess with them. It comes back to bite him when his hysterical laughing causes his saliva get on the walls causing the paint to come off.
• It Amused Me: Why Mr. Krabs told SpongeBob and Patrick that the paint was permanent. The two aren't happy about this. It comes back to bite him when his hysterical laughing causes his saliva get on the walls causing the paint to come off.
• Karma Houdini: Mr. Krabs has the duo paint his house after seeing them doing self-destructive activities...because Squidward got them to do it. In a sense, this is all Squidward's fault, yet Mr. Krabs never finds out.
• Lame Pun Reaction: SpongeBob and Patrick have to disguise the fact that they got a spot on Mr. Krabs' first dollar. They hang several paintings in front of it, which Mr. Krabs takes off one-by-one. Eventually, SpongeBob himself is hanging on the wall.
  Mr. Krabs: SpongeBob, what are you doing?
  SpongeBob: Oh, you know ... just hanging around!
  Patrick: Boooooo!
• Laser-Guided Karma: In a fit of hysterics over his rather cruel prank, Mr. Krabs ends up spraying his entire house with his own saliva, causing the fresh paint (which only comes off with saliva) to run.
• Leaning on the Fourth Wall: One of the pictures hung over Mr. Krabs' first dollar is Painty the Pirate, who's seen in the opening.
• The Man in the Mirror Talks Back: SpongeBob's reflection tells the real SpongeBob he's on his own upon Mr. Krabs' imminent arrival.
• Motive Misidentification: After Mr. Krabs reveals he lied about the paint being permanent, SpongeBob assumes that he did it to ensure that SpongeBob and Patrick would be careful not to get paint on anything. Mr. Krabs then tells them he only said so to mess with them.
• Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: SpongeBob attempts to rub the paint off of Mr. Krabs' dollar with his tie, and only succeeds in spreading it around. And then Patrick draws on it with crayon to try and cover it up!
• Oh, Crap!: FLAPPIN' FLOTSAM! WHAT'S THAT?!?!
• Percussive Maintenance: How Patrick tries to use technology to fix Mr. Krabs' dollar: by smashing it with a computer.
• Poster Patchup: SpongeBob tries to cover up the paint on the dollar by putting several pictures in front of it, stacked several feet deep.
• Rhetorical Question Blunder: Patrick's answer to "What could be worse than a giant paint bubble?!" Two giant paint bubbles!
• Secret Test: After the reveal that the paint wasn't permanent after all, SpongeBob assumes Mr. Krabs said it was permanent to ensure that he and Patrick do a good job. It turns out Mr. Krabs just did it to mess with them.
• Spoof Aesop: At first, it seems as though the episode is leaning towards the moral of "Be careful when handling other people's stuff," but it's undermined by Mr. Krabs admitting that he didn't care whether or not SpongeBob and Patrick got paint on his stuff. He just wanted to mess with them.
• Staggered Zoom: Done when the camera shows a barely noticeable drop of paint on Mr. Krabs’ first dollar.
• Storm in a Teacup: Spongebob and Patrick panic when they get paint on Mr. Krabs' first dollar, only to be told that the supposedly irremovable paint can be easily removed with saliva.
• Surprisingly Super-Tough Thing: Mr. Krabs’ dollar, and the paint it’s coated in, manage to survive quite a bit of abuse.
• Tempting Fate: When the two giant paint bubbles merge into one enormous one, SpongeBob says that the bubble can't possibly get any bigger. Cut to Patrick sticking a bicycle pump into the bubble and inflating it until it pops, shouting "Nonsense!"
• Torso with a View: When SpongeBob tries to clean the dollar with a high-pressure hose, it leaves a hole through Patrick's body, minus the part blocked by the dollar and Patrick's hands.
• Vengeful Vending Machine: Patrick gets the idea to use another dollar to replace Mr. Krabs' first dollar earned. Unfortunately, Patrick forgets his own plan just seconds after saying it and the only bill he had he uses to get candy from a vending machine. The machine keeps rejecting his dollar, and each time it does SpongeBob begs Patrick to pull it back out. Eventually, Patrick gets his candy, and they're back to square one.

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"Now that you understand POOP, I bet you think you're ready to make a Krabby Patty!"

Krusty Krab Training Video

Original air date: 5/10/2002 (produced in 2001)

SpongeBob appears in a training video for new employees of the Krusty Krab, which goes over the history of the place, what to do when Plankton attacks, and most importantly, how to make a Krabby Patty.

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It's time for the tropes you've been waiting for!

• Actor Allusion: The Interactive Narrator is voiced by guest star Steve Kehela, who has had a portfolio history of doing voice work for real-life employee training videos.
• Bilingual Bonus: A restroom sign reads "Lave Las Aletas" (Spanish for "wash your flippers").
• Captain Obvious: "Is the customer going to order: A. A sofa. B. An expensive hair cut. C. A patty." What a difficult question.
• Coin-on-a-String Trick: A flashback shows a young Eugene Krabs using the coin-on-a-string trick to get a can of soda from a vending machine without paying for it.
• Comical Overreacting: When Plankton attempts to steal a Krabby Patty, by implanting mechanical spider legs in it and riding off on it (at a pretty slow pace), SpongeBob goes running around the restaurant in panic, knocking tables over while Mr. Krabs handles the situation (though the narrator gives SpongeBob credit for it). Then again, it was probably SpongeBob's screaming that alerted Mr. Krabs in the first place.
• The Ditherer: Patrick ends up frustrating Squidward when he slips into a mindless drooling drone all because he's too busy trying to think of what to get.
• Documentary Episode: An episode on the inner workings of the Krusty Krab.
• Dull Surprise: Mr. Krabs when he sees Plankton trying to snatch the Krabby Patty. Plankton also doesn't seem too surprised Krabs caught him.
• Dumbass Has a Point: Patrick complains that Squidward's not a very good employee. He may be frustrating by slipping into mindlessness just trying to think of what to get, but given that the video addresses that Squidward's behavior is not how an ideal Krusty Krab employee should act, Patrick isn't wrong.
• Eat My Dust:
  Plankton: Eat my microscopic dust, Krabs! Your secret formula is finally mine!
• Expospeak Gag: Mr. Krabs shows the Krusty Krab's "high tech" improvements, such as the advanced patty-control mechanism (spatula), the automated money-handling system (the cash register), high-quality beverage temperature devices - imported (ice cubes), the prototype liquid transferring machine (a drinking straw) and the state-of-the-art condiment dispersal units (ketchup packets).
• Formula-Breaking Episode: The episode is presented as an introductory video for new Krusty Krab employees.
• Fun with Acronyms: People Order Our Patties.
• Guest Star: Steve Kehela guest stars as the narrator. Did we mention he did voice work for actual training videos before this?
• Headdesk: Squidward bangs his head against the cash register repeatedly after screwing up his line and getting fed up with Patrick.
• Here We Go Again!: After waiting for who knows how long for him to order, Squidward convinces Patrick to get a Krabby Patty...only to end up making Patrick pause again when he asks him if he wants it here or to go. Patrick and Squidward are last seen with Patrick still droning "Uhhhhh...." while Squidward bashes his head on the register.
• Hold Your Hippogriffs: "Not a ^picklehair out of place".
• Hypocritical Humor: Squidward gets angry at Patrick for falling asleep after being unable to complete his order and tells him to go be stupid somewhere else. Earlier, we saw Squidward fall asleep twice on his shift!
• Instructional Film: Subverted, it's a satire of this trope.
• Interactive Narrator: The characters acknowledge the narrator several times. Patrick, who is apparently unaware that he's in an instructional video, thinks the narrator is a ghost.
• Interrupted by the End: In the ending, the narrator says "Okay! The [Krabby Patty] secret formula i-"
• Lazy Bum: Squidward is shown to be a very sloppy employee, falling asleep twice on his shift and neglecting to clean up his very messy workstation.
  Narrator: Remember: No employee wants to be a Squidward!
• Medium Blending: The live-action hamburger (Stock Footage from "Plankton!") that appears in SpongeBob's thought bubble when he daydreams about making Krabby Patties.
• No Ending: The episode suddenly ends at the right moment the narrator was going to reveal the Krabby Patties secret formula.
• Noodle Incident: The "war" the narrator mentions that sent Mr. Krabs into a period of seclusion and depression before opening the Krusty Krab is never specified. Given that it's a direct nod to the hardships veterans of The Vietnam War faced in the years following its end, it's implied to have taken place during that same time frame. This theory is further backed up by later episodes revealing him to have been a naval officer before the seclusion.
• Noticing the Fourth Wall: Patrick reacts to the narrator, thinking the ceiling of the Krusty Krab is haunted.
• Overly Long Gag: The narrator's "da da da" song building up to the preparation of the Krabby Patty. He even pauses to take a breath. The gag purposely uses up the last few minutes of the episode so that the secret formula is not revealed.
• Person as Verb: "Squidward" is used as a byword for everything an employee is not supposed to do. Squidward himself is unamused.
  Squidward: I'm getting paid overtime for this, right, Mr. Krabs?
  Mr. Krabs: (offscreen) Sorry! Can't hear you!
• Pet the Dog: Despite all the wisecracks and criticism about his quality of work, the Lemony Narrator does help Squidward deal with a droning, indecisive Patrick by reminding him of P.O.O.P. Unfortunately, Squidward blows it by asking Patrick if he wants his order here or to go.
• Plot Hole: If there's a standing fee, why is Patrick allowed to stand there and go "uuuuuuuh"?
• Right Way/Wrong Way Pair: SpongeBob and Squidward, respectively.
• Running Gag:
  • SpongeBob is excited to make a Krabby Patty, but keeps being denied his chance, thanks to the Narrator.
  • SpongeBob is made a good example of a good employee while Squidward is an example of a bad employee.
  • Patrick droning out when Squidward tried to take his order, much to Squidward's annoyance.
• Shown Their Work: Yes, the episode is meant to be a satire of employee training videos, but the formula is pretty accurate, starting with different angle shots of the restaurant at the beginning accompanied by upbeat music, a brief history of the company in question, certain job duties and expectations, etc.
• The Slacker: Squidward sleeps on his shift and keeps his work station incredibly messy, making the narrator call him out for this. It's a wonder Mr. Krabs hasn't fired him yet.
• Stock Audio Clip: Plankton's comical babbling while Mr. Krabs prepares to fling him away is actually recycled audio from "Plankton's Army", sped up to the point of incomprehensibility.
• Stupidly Long Filler Sound: Squidward asks Patrick his order, and the "uh" keeps going past a change to another scene. When we come back, Patrick hasn't stopped, so Squidward takes the Interactive Narrator's advice to suggest a Krabby Patty. Patrick takes the suggestion, but starts back up when asked 'for here or to go', causing Squidward to bang his head on the cash register.
• The Un-Reveal: "The secret formula i-! (Smash Cut)"

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