Restraining SpongeBob
Squidward issues a restraining order on SpongeBob, but it causes difficulties with his job.
"Restraining SpongeBob" contains examples of:
- Bottle Episode: Except for the opening, the majority of the episode takes place within the Krusty Krab.
- Break the Cutie: The restraining order takes a big toll on SpongeBob, as he finds he cannot do his job properly without getting within 15 feet of Squidward, and he even loses it more when said order causes him to lose a star from his employee record.
- Characterization Marches On: SpongeBob seems more calm and collected in the instance when Mr. Krabs takes a star off his employee records, unlike in "New Student Starfish" when he screams and cries when Mrs. Puff takes off one of his Good Noodle stars.
- Continuity Nod: This was not the first time SpongeBob had a star taken off his progress chart.
- Dissonant Laughter: After Squidward files a restraining order on him, Patrick laughs hysterically, having no idea what a restraining order is.
- The Ditz: Patrick, much to Squidward's chagrin. In fact, Patrick's stupidity is taken up to eleven in this episode.
- Everyone Has Standards: SpongeBob's relationship with Squidward is taken beyond levels here, as he feels he misses coming close to Squidward when he is given a restraining order, which causes problems with his job, and even deducts a star from his records as a result. It's so horrible that SpongeBob can't take it anymore and hires Patrick to do all the work for him, and even Mr. Krabs finds the order going way too far. Squidward even sees SpongeBob risking everything to stop Patrick from attacking him and decides to let it slide, taking him off the restraining order and replacing him with Patrick, and SpongeBob is relieved.
- Here We Go Again!: In the end, SpongeBob is taken off the restraining order and replaced with Patrick.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Squidward files a restraining order against SpongeBob. But they still work together, so SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs bring in Patrick as a middle man. Patrick relentlessly harasses Squidward, who ultimately finds him much worse than SpongeBob and ultimately replaces his name on the restraining order with Patrick's.
- Hollywood Restraining Order: The plot of the episode, but this causes problems within the Krusty Krab.
- Innocently Insensitive: SpongeBob as usual, but this is what made Squidward to file a restraining order on him.
- "It" Is Dehumanizing: Squidward does this to Patrick.Squidward: *sighs* If I ignore it, maybe it will go away.
- I Should Have Done This Years Ago: Squidward says this regarding giving SpongeBob the restraining order.Squidward: Now now. Calm down. I've should've given this to you a long time ago!
- Mistaken for Flatulence: A customer mistakes the sound of SpongeBob squeezing an empty mustard bottle for Squidward passing gas.Customer: Do you... need a break or something?Squidward: What? Oh, no! Wha—? No-ho, that was not me, I swear.(sound repeats, causing the customer to walk away in disgust)
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: After the restraining order is issued, SpongeBob immediately drops all annoying goofball tenancies and is reduced to a complete worrying Nervous Wreck who cannot do his job properly without getting close enough to the cashier.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: SpongeBob violates the restraining order to stop Patrick from hurting Squidward.
- Trauma Conga Line: In the beginning of the episode, Squidward burns his arm on the grill, unaware that it's on, which spirals into him being fried alive, nearly being eaten, and finally smashing the soda machine. By the end, he's completely traumatized, and when SpongeBob tries to check on him, he has a massive Freak Out, hiding under a table and then crawling up the walls and ceiling to get away from him. It's clear that SpongeBob finally broke him and drove him to a nervous breakdown.Mr. Krabs: You really sent him over the edge this time.
SpongeBob: Technically, I drove him up the wall.
Fiasco!
Plankton mistakenly takes a piece of "art" believing it's a Krabby Patty.
"Fiasco!" contains examples of:
- Artistic License – Law Enforcement: Plankton accidentally steals a modern art piece (don't ask). First, the Police chase Plankton well out of their jurisdiction, even up to the International Space Station, which is mainly Rule of Funny.
- Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon: When Plankton enters to SpongeBob's house to hide from the police, he uses a wooden spoon to hold him and Gary hostage.
- Excited Episode Title!: "Fiasco!"
- Guilt by Association: Lampshaded by Plankton when he arrives at SpongeBob's place to hide from the cops, calling him, Gary, and Patrick (who ate the masterpiece) accomplices to the crime. Played even more straight with Squidward, as not only is he arrested alongside everyone else at the scene of the crime despite being the one to call the police, but he is the only one besides Plankton not to be bailed out by the end of the episode.
- Jump Scare: One of the policemen bursts through the movie screen, having found Plankton.
- Literal-Minded: When Squidward told SpongeBob to put on his thinking cap, SpongeBob put his thinking cap on head literally.
- Shout-Out: Plankton ducks inside a movie theater to evade the cops for stealing a priceless art piece made out of a Krabby Patty. The movie shown is blatantly The Blue Lagoon complete with the two teen characters about to kiss.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Said by Plankton when the cops manage to chase him even in space.
