Bubble Buddy Returns (SpongeBob SquarePants)

"Bubble Buddy Returns"
At least the title is somehow correct: Bubble Buddy does indeed return, although only in the beginning and end of the episode, sadly.
Series: SpongeBob SquarePants Part of Season: 8 Episode Number: 167b Air Date: December 12, 2011 Writer: Luke Brookshier Marc Ceccarelli Doug Lawrence Director: Luke Brookshier Marc Ceccarelli Previous episode: House Sittin' for Sandy (268-823) The Krabby Patty That Ate Bikini Bottom Next episode: Plankton's Good Eye (268-825) Restraining SpongeBob Are You Happy Now? (Airing order)

Bubble Buddy Returns is the 27th episode of the eight season of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Summary

SpongeBob attempts to keep Bubble Buddy's son out of danger after he is put in charge of taking care of him.

Qualities That Got Popped

1. The episode lacks the charm that the original "Bubble Buddy" episode had as the episode only focuses on SpongeBob taking care of Bubble Buddy's son, Shiny. While it is a well-executed idea, it’s just so utterly pointless with many problems explained below.
2. Misleading title: Bubble Buddy technically returns in the episode, but he only appears in the beginning and end of the episode, with him only having five lines. Most of the episode focuses on his son Shiny, who constantly causes mischief in Bikini Bottom. At least it makes some sense compared to the official title of the episode.
   • The title is also generic. It could've described every future episode that Bubble Buddy has a role, like "Bubbletown".
3. The title card is lazy. It is just the original Bubble Buddy title card, but with the word Returns slapped onto it. Not to mention, the word "RETURNS" is not even in the bubble font unlike "BUBBLE BUDDY".
   • This title card is also an excuse from Nickelodeon to advertise an episode bringing back an old character that has not been seen long after Season 2, not only does the false advertising itself feel completely insulting to fans of the show, as well as the original "Bubble Buddy" episode, and the intelligence of fans in general.
     • Speaking of excuses, this episode is also another excuse to grab in more ratings for SpongeBob, as well as showing signs of being very desperate for the fans' attention and also the audience's attention. What makes them think SpongeBob hasn't had that much ratings back in 2011? The show was doing fine in that year in terms of TV ratings. Even in 2010, SpongeBob was still doing fine, TV ratings wise. That feels like fixing something for what wasn't broken.
4. Shiny is an unlikable and really useless character. He goes by ruining the Bikini Bottomites' stuff, even going as far as by popping the Krusty Krab, even when SpongeBob is trying to take care of him. That's all he does! This can make the episode tedious.
5. Plot hole: When Shiny gets inside one of Squidward's cabinets, SpongeBob checks, but he isn't even there. He might've popped or something; strangely, he is still alive despite some of the sharp objects from inside all the cabinets.
   • How did everything in Squidward's house get messed up by Shiny? Bubbles can't even mess anything up because usually when they land on something, they pop.
6. Shiny may have gotten scolded by SpongeBob, but even scolding isn't enough to discipline Shiny since he keeps letting SpongeBob to go through his shenanigans.

Returning Qualities

1. At least the rest of the characters are likable, like SpongeBob, Squidward, and the Bikini Bottomites.
2. The idea of returning Bubble Buddy is a nice idea, despite appearing only in the beginning and end of the episode let alone treat his "return" to Bikini Bottom look like a joke to most people.
3. Though it was for only a moment, Shiny did receive some comeuppance when he was inadvertently popped by SpongeBob.

Reception

The episode received mixed to negative reception from reviewers & fans, most notable due to Bubble Buddy not appearing that much. It has a 6.4/10 on IMDb, along with "The Krabby Patty That Ate Bikini Bottom".

Trivia

• This is Bubble Buddy's 2nd appearance in SpongeBob after years in the original Bubble Buddy.
• This is the last episode to air in 2011.

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