Demographically Inappropriate Humour: Patrick says that the sleeping Sandy looks like an "overinflated Sandy Doll", a reference to blow-up dolls.
Franchise Original Sin: This is one of many episodes of SpongeBob and Patrick annoying people after being told not to. This episode SpongeBob tries to stop Patrick, but lets himself be talked into staying with the snow. They later do steal Sandy's fur, but it was merely an act of desperation to keep themselves from freezing to death since the door was frozen shut, and they pay dearly for it by Sandy using them as pelts until her fur comes back. They also pay dearly for antagonizing Sandy in her sleep when she nearly kills them while sleepwalking.
Funny Moments: SpongeBob and Patrick stripping Sandy of all her fur in preparation for the long, cold winter ahead of them. And then it immediately becomes spring.
Memetic Mutation: Patrick's cone-head appearance when he says, "Who you callin' 'Pinhead'?"
Nightmare Fuel: The very premise of a character as likable as Sandy turning into a bear-like monster and trying to hurt/kill SpongeBob and Patrick frightened many children who watched the episode.
She Really Can Act: Sandy's blood-curdling scream when she discovers all of her fur is missing shows that Carolyn is just as capable of screaming as the other Lawrence in the show's cast.
Dumped:
Fanon Discontinuity: This is often seen as one of the weakest episodes from the classic era and many fans would prefer to forget about it entirely. Major reasons include its lack of comedy in favor of melodrama, which comes off as Narm and Wangst more than anything, largely due to the revelation about why Gary left his owner being Played for Laughs (he only wanted the cookie in Patrick's shorts), and thus making SpongeBob being put through the emotional wringer have no meaning, and Patrick taking a huge level in jerkass.
Franchise Original Sin: Patrick is insensitive to SpongeBob throughout the episode, but later episodes will have Patrick's insensitivity cranked up to eleven, to the point where plenty of viewers have suggested that SpongeBob should just leave Patrick. This is also when the first instance of Wangst showing up in the show with SpongeBob not deserving the abuse he got put through, which becomes more apparent in seasons 6-8.
Hilarious in Hindsight: Gary hanging around Patrick so much becomes this when "Rule of Dumb" reveals Patrick and Gary are first cousins.
Never Live It Down: Despite his good moments in other episodes, some fans will not move on from how poorly Patrick treated SpongeBob when Gary chose the former over the latter.
Tear Jerker: Joke or not, SpongeBob is clearly heartbroken when he believes that his beloved Gary doesn't want to be with him any more. The cheesy soap opera music only makes it worse.
Wangst: The drama aspect of this episode, especially the music, has been criticized as being overly sappy even for the show. Not helping matters is that Gary's reason for ditching his owner is little more than a cheap joke, ultimately making all of SpongeBob's sorrow in the episode meaningless.
