I actually found this one to be a bit relateable (for the first 3rd, at least), and I’ll explain why. This, to me, was actually the kind of episode that people could relate to because it did cover issues relating to Achluophobia (fear of darkness).
Have you ever heard the saying “You fear what you don’t know”? That saying really does apply to Spongebob’s phobia. He’s afraid of the shadows because he doesn’t know what is in it. That was actually something I could relate to (and even feel his fear) because I myself, am afraid of darkness. Just like him, I don’t know what’s in the darkness, so I am afraid (almost petrified) when I have to enter a dark room, or even go outside when it’s nighttime, even!
I don’t really think that he was simply being cowardly in this episode (at least for the first few minutes). I think he was mostly being naive (again, at least in the first few minutes) and having Achluophobia like most other kids seem to.
You may have noticed that I keep saying that this episode works only for the first few minutes. The reason I say that is mainly because although the episode got off to a good start, the quality simply dies for me as the episode progresses. I mean, come on! Spongebob buys a hundred night lights with Patrick and then we get a Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy subplot? Yeah, I have to agree with everyone who hates this episode. It’s just a waste of time and it makes Spongebob and Patrick look stupid. So, in short, this was what could've been a good episode turned into an unnecessary pile of waste!
Rating: 3/10
Worst Character:
and :patrick:
Worst Moment: Everything after the first 3rd of the episode (except maybe the store clerk and Patrick running from the sun)