It's hard to believe that the show so many of us '90s babies grew up watching on Nickelodeon is still pumping out new episodes. SpongeBob SquarePants is currently in its 12th season and has been touching the lives of children for the past 21 years.
SpongeBob is the adorably quirky sponge living in Bikini Bottom. Each episode shows everybody's favorite sponge getting into mischief with his best friends Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks, his boss Mr. Krabs, his pet snail Gary, and even his neighbor who loathes him, Squidward. And while this is a children's show, it's mature enough where adults can sometimes enjoy what their children are watching.
But not every episode revolves around Krabby Patties and underwater rainbows. There have been some pretty dark themes that tackle deep issues, a testament to the writers who incorporate life's problems with a childlike wonder. Let's take a look at 10 episodes that did a deep dive into adult problems.
10 NOT ALL MEMORIES ARE HAPPY MEMORIES
In the episode "Are You Happy Now?," SpongeBob is reading a book that contains a list of his happiest memories. Squidward, as per usual, scoffs at SpongeBob when he realizes that he doesn't have a single happy memory. SpongeBob then goes on an epic expedition to create happy memories for Squidward.
Sadly, all those attempts failed, which gave Squidward the realization that he's not a happy person. Sad and depressed, he hid at home until SpongeBob threw him a party. But that didn't go well either because no one came. SpongeBob ended up making life-size copies of himself to fill the space, sending Squidward into a panic and destroying them — which finally cheered him up. This was a relatable episode for those who feel alone among a sea of happy people,
9 WHEN BELOVED PETS RUN AWAY
The topic of a pet going missing is never easy. Kids are easily confused and at a loss as to where their pet could have gone. Adults have similar emotions. In "Have You Seen This Snail?," Gary feels unloved and under-appreciated when SpongeBob is too caught up in a game. He tries getting SpongeBob's attention but is ignored. Gary decides to leave SpongeBob in hopes of a better life without SpongeBob even noticing.
This episode shines a dark theme of humans being so consumed with technology that they can forget about things that actually matter (like their pets' well-being). SpongeBob eventually finds Gary safe and sound, but it's a lesson we all can learn from.
8 SQUIDWARD'S ADDICTION
Squidward may work at the Krusty Krab but he never tried a Krabby Patty until "Just One Bite." This episode shows themes of peer pressure and addiction when SpongeBob pressures Squidward to try something he had no interest in trying in the first place. As it turns out, Squidward ended up loving Krabby Patties and became addicted to the fatty burger.
Without wanting to give SpongeBob satisfaction, Squidward did everything he could to sneak a Krabby Patty without being caught. He ended up becoming so obese that he exploded and — get this — went to hell. Talk about dark.
7 THE PRESSURE FOR MEN TO BE BUFF
There's an unnecessary pressure on men to appear "manly" and strong. While that's great for those men enjoy being buff, that doesn't mean a guy who isn't buff is less than a man. SpongeBob touches base on this topic in the episode "MuscleBob BuffPants." Sandy unintentionally insults SpongeBob by telling him he wasn't strong enough. To "fit in" with other men and impress Sandy, SpongeBob buys inflatable arms that he can wear to look buff. SpongeBob loved his fake persona but it wasn't really him. He had to learn to love himself and accept his body — something that's all too real for many of us.
6 WANTING TO PLEASE OTHER PEOPLE
SpongeBob is constantly trying to impress others. He feels no need to impress his best friend Patrick but when it comes to his job, SpongeBob will do anything to be seen as an all-star fry cook. Likewise, many of us try to impress our bosses, sometimes to no avail .
In "The Original Fry Cook," SpongeBob becomes starstruck when Krusty Krab's first fry cook comes to visit. SpongeBob tries his absolute hardest to impress him but when he fails, he fears he must quit his job and leave Bikini Bottom. In another episode, Squidward oddly out-performed SpongeBob at work, which caused SpongeBob to become jealous that someone was being celebrated over him.
5 WHAT YOU CREATE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT
In the episode “Frankendoodle," SpongeBob creates DoodleBob to play around with Squidward. However, DoodleBob ends up being the complete opposite of SpongeBob, and is actually a terror. This episode is a reminder that the things we create into existence can have consequences. The things we write, draw, and say can have a lasting effect on those around us.
4 SPONGEBOB THE MURDERER?
SpongeBob is such a lovable sponge that the harshest thing he can do is probably quit the Krusty Krab and not cook delicious Krabby Patties anymore. But in "Nasty Patty," SpongeBob takes a dark turn when a health inspector comes to town. Mr. Krabs is under the impression that this so-called health inspector is a fraud looking for free food so they made him a disturbing version of the Krabby Patty.
Before the inspector takes a bite, he chokes on a fly and passes out, which makes Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob think he died from their burger. As it turns out, this guy wasn't a fraud — he was a real health inspector. To hide what they've done, they decide to bury the body.
Tainting food, impostors, and a murder? That's a lot to handle for a kids' show.
3 BULLYING IS AN ISSUE REGARDLESS OF AGE
Bullying is a dark topic for children, but it's important they learn about bullying from a young age so they don't become one themselves, and that know what to do in case they are the victim of bullying. SpongeBob touches base on this dark theme in the cleverly titled episode "The Bully."
In the episode, SpongeBob is back in boating school when he meets his classmate, Flats. In class, Flats the Flounder tells SpongeBob that he's going to "kick his butt," which scares SpongeBob out of school. He eventually goes back where he's rallied by students after he confronts his bully and becomes a hero.
2 MAKING FRIENDS IS HARD
Making friends may easy come to children but as we get older, it can be incredibly hard. It can be difficult to connect to other adults and find things in common. It's even harder to reach out to a person who seems to be in need of friends but isn't receptive to the notion.
In "F.U.N.," SpongeBob tries to befriend Plankton because he fears Plankton is lonely. After all, Plankton doesn't have too many people lining up at his door to be friends with him. And while SpongeBob's friendship made an impact for a short time, Plankton is too evil to be friends with someone so sweet.
1 THE SPREAD OF DISEASE
The spread of sickness and disease is a serious topic, one that may be too difficult to understand as a kid. But SpongeBob SquarePants did an excellent job in showing how fast germs are spread in "Fungus Among Us."
After SpongeBob becomes consumed by a fungus, it continues to grow throughout the day. Instead of taking care of it, he goes to work where it ultimately spreads to the customers eating his burgers. The disease gets so out of hand that SpongeBob needs to become isolated. This episode is a great lesson come flu season and how easily germs (and fungi) are spread.
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