Squid Baby is a low SCUMBOB!-infamous episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. In this episode, a head injury causes Squidward to think he's an infant, and SpongeBob and Patrick look after him.
Why Will This Make Babies Cry and Traumatize You?[]
- Much like many other Season 6 episodes, this is another 11 minutes of Squidward torture, even though this time is a bit less rampant compared to Season 6.
- The idea of SpongeBob and Patrick treating Squidward like a baby is absolutely humiliating and ridiculous.
- Terrible beginning:
- In this scene, SpongeBob and Patrick play with their baby toys, which makes them look like the man-children.
- Yeah, you can say they're supposed to be childish, but acting like this? It's way too weird and ridiculous even for them!
- The episode makes light of head injuries, to a disturbing effect.
- The name Head-go-boom-boom-itis is highly inaccurate, as the suffix -itis is only applied diseases.
- Many disgusting close-up shots of Squidward soiling his diaper in the Krusty Krab, such as the part where SpongeBob was asked by Mr. Krabs to watch Squidward’s gross diaper. Like super triple YUCK!
- The episode's story, once again, takes the elements from other older episodes:
- The first half is a rip-off of "Rock-a-Bye Bivalve," where SpongeBob and Patrick took care of a baby in SpongeBob's house, and this time even has Patrick watch the same show that he saw in that episode while SpongeBob's taking care of a baby (Junior).
- This episode is the result of "Rock-a-Bye Bivalve", gone wrong.
- The second half is a rip-off of "Goo Goo Gas", where firstly, Squidward became a baby and secondly, SpongeBob took care of a baby (Baby Krabs) in the Krusty Krab.
- The first half is a rip-off of "Rock-a-Bye Bivalve," where SpongeBob and Patrick took care of a baby in SpongeBob's house, and this time even has Patrick watch the same show that he saw in that episode while SpongeBob's taking care of a baby (Junior).
- Unlikable Characters:
- Mr. Krabs is unlikable for forcing Squidward to work at the Krusty Krab despite SpongeBob warning him of Squidward's injuries. He also pathetically treats Squidward like he's normal despite his infant amnesia hampering his personality.
- Patrick is unlikeable for causing most of Squidward's injuries and leaving SpongeBob to watch him at the Krusty Krab when he falls asleep.
- SpongeBob is also slightly unlikable for not taking very good care of Squidward and changing him in the kitchen, which is not the right thing to do.
- Squidward (as a baby) cries a lot in this episode. Yes that says that not even Pearl Krabs or the dark era version of SpongeBob would cry harder than him.
- This doesn't help the fact that it serves as filler.
- Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob, and Patrick all walk away from their mistakes scot-free.
- Plot-hole: Near the end of the episode, Baby Squidward needs a diaper change, so SpongeBob tries to find a place to change him, Mr. Krabs instincts the kitchen to change Baby Squidward's diaper, question: Would have been a bit more logical if Mr. Krabs told SpongeBob to change Baby Squidward's diaper in the bathroom instead of the place they make the food in? What kind of idiot Mr. Krabs is?!
- Mediocre ending: Squidward reverts to his usual self and upon seeing his diaper, becomes shocked and walks away in disgust. SpongeBob simply remarks that they grow up so quickly. A gross-out innuendo was slapped into the audience's face before the episode ends.
- To add insult on the injury, when Squidward's infant anmesia wore off, Mr. Krabs might've called out and punished SpongeBob for simply changing Squidward's diaper.
Redeeming Qualities[]
- Though SpongeBob and Patrick are to blame for splinter.
- The fish Nat references Fred's iconic My Leg! gag when he says "My face! My face! Also my leg, but mostly my face!"
- SpongeBob "before the Kitchen scene" was likable with Squidward.
- At least Squidward turns back to normal at the end of the episode.
- At least SpongeBob knows how to take care of a baby well unlike Fatprick, Mr. Ketamine Drug addict Krab, and the pricks that inhabit Bikini Bottom.
- The animation is still great as usual, considering that the series was still animated with Toon Boom Harmony at the time.
- The Pink I Block In The Title Card
Reception[]
Along with "Little Yellow Book", SpongeBob You're Fired" and "The Fish Bowl", "Squid Baby" is widely considered to be one of the worst episodes of Season 9, even though it was somewhat perceived better compared to the former two episodes.
PIEGUYRULZ gave this one a SCUMBOB rating, and he considered it to be his second worst Season 9 episode, but he stated that this one wasn't "that" bad.
Trivia[]
- This is LS Mark's least favorite episode of the whole show, ranking it at the bottom of his list.[1]
- Ironically, this episode is paired with the super-famous License to Milkshake.
- This episode was originally going to be #1 on TheMysteriousMrEnter's 'Squidward torture' episodes list, but was not included as he had already reviewed the episode.
- This episode was broadcasted on MTV2 one time.
- This is EmployeeAMillion's 2nd least favorite Season 9 episode.
Infamous Quotes[]
"Are you out of your ever-living mind?! We can't change that baby out here in front of the customers! Take him in back where the food is prepared."
― Watch his head?! Why don't you watch his diaper?! (Spongebob notices Squidward's diaper) And get it changed!