Next up, we've got the best special of season 3. Is that a hot take? I feel like the most popular take is that all the specials of this season were kinda duds. If that's the case, then me saying that I really enjoyed "Ugh" is probably a hot take. I've definitely seen people express their dislike of this episode, at least. So let's discuss.
I think this episode has a really fun concept in showcasing SpongeBob SquarePants in a prehistoric setting, and I like that even the live-action segments get in on this too. It feels like a continuation of what we saw in "SB-129". Back to the live-action segments, I think they're really funny in this episode, and the low production values truly just add to the comedy. Like the paper-mache dinosaur is so funny to me. And speaking of that dinosaur, the part where Patchy falls over and has to be helped by two aides is so freaking funny, it gets me dying laughing every time. I like that the live-action segments in this episode are doing their own thing while still being very related to the animation portion. And yeah, every live-action segment is like this, but I think this one in particular really diverges from the episode by adding the whole future vs. past element. Patchy and Potty's banter is, as always, hilarious. The cut to SpongeBob feeling chills from their argument is one of my favorite bits from these special episodes.
Moving onto the part of the episode we're all here for, I like how it opens with the French Narrator getting a bit too into the epicness of the landscape and having to back off on it. "Ugh" is a deliciously atmospheric episode, the artists clearly put a lot of effort into this prehistoric landscape and it shows. The backgrounds of this episode, while admittedly using somewhat bland colors, are very well-done. And I admire the commitment to the bit when we meet the characters and don't hear a lick of English (or, I'm assuming, any other language in dubbed versions) because that specific language hadn't been developed yet. Clearly SpongeGar, Patar, and Squog have some kind of language though, which makes sense. There's a lot I could talk about with that but let me not go on a tangent here. Let's just say that it makes things easier for the audience. Also, just one last thing on the environment, but I love everyone's prehistoric names lol.
Given that this episode is not exactly full of the wordplay and wordy humor that I love, it might come as a surprise that I find this episode to be really good and funny in the first place. But I mean when you put all your stats into writing good visual and slapstick gags, sometimes good is just good, and so I find myself laughing at this episode even when it doesn't have my preferred brand of humor. And besides, there are plenty of clever jokes in this episode even if there are hardly any recognizeable words. I really like the bit of Squidward choosing a club, and the one he doesn't choose feeling dejected.
I really like the introduction of each character in this episode, because they really are just like the modern versions we've been seeing, just millions of years in the past. Patar hugging Squog is a really funny example of good slapstick too, as is Squog slipping all around Gary's slime trail.
There really isn't too much to talk about in this episode other than I like how the plot is the trio discovering fire, and I like the jokes in this episode. The eureka moment with SpongeGar is great and has the perfect amount of build up, and I love the inclusion of the barbershop quartet. The montage of everyone cooking and eating food is great as well, with some good visual gags thrown in there.
I think where the episode starts to get a little weak for me is in act 2, when SpongeGar, Patar, and Squog start fighting over the fire, but it doesn't last too long, and I like the ending of the animated portion, with SpongeGar and Patar roasting marshmellows over Squog's body, I thought that was pretty funny. Turning back over to the Patchy stuff, like I said before I like what I'm seeing here, and the "When World's Collide" thing is legitimately one of the best things to ever grace television, so, that's all I need to say on that.
Now, one thing about "Ugh" is that I suppose it may have missed out on some potential storytelling opportunities, like maybe showing the rest of Bikini Bottom or something. But like, I'm fine with the story they decided to tell. And the story they decided to tell left no room for that kind of exploration.
"Ugh" is just a fun, unique episode. Unique as in different from other SpongeBob SquarePants episodes, because I'm definitely aware of the propensity of cartoon shows, especially of this era, to make these kinds of episodes of previous eras with their characters. And this isn't even the first time SpongeBob SquarePants did this either, as "SB-129" did it first. And later they did it again with "Pest of the West". But I still really like this episode even if it isn't the only one of its kind. It's funny and does a good job with immersing viewers in the prehistoric setting. It has a little bit of a dull spot in the middle, which knocks it down a tier, but this episode is still worthy of my "Great" tier.
Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.5/10
