“The Night Patty” is a fun little episode that I should start adding to my Halloween marathon. I really love the atmosphere of “The Night Patty”. It’s not the exact type of palpable atmosphere I usually adore, but something about this one just really gets me. It’s like “Séance Schméance” but better. And I also really like how Patrick is apparently a regular with this whole crew. I’m choosing to see all of this as a reference to “Graveyard Shift”.
I also like that this episode starts with SpongeBob and Patrick at Glove World, since it’s been a minute since we’ve seen that location. And yeah, they’re there for all of 3 seconds before getting funnily kicked out, but still. Patrick decides to take SpongeBob to the Krusty Krab’s night shift, which is filled with all sorts of strange creatures who look like they’ve come from “Rock Bottom”. SpongeBob is scared to death, and it’s funny. We meet Squidabeth, who’s a lot nicer than Squidward, that’s for sure. And SpongeBob learns that this place doesn’t sell Krabby Patties. It’s starting to sound more and more like this is an illegal operation of some kind…
Eventually, after trying some food, SpongeBob starts to like the place. But when he greets the cook, he ends up crushing the guys hand because of his strong handshake. So, SpongeBob does have some muscles after all! With the cook out of commission, and a midnight rush at the door, SpongeBob’s gotta take the guy’s place. And it’s approved by none other than Noseferatu, the night time boss. Now hold on a second…I’m really starting to think that this episode and “Graveyard Shift” are connected in more ways now lol. Doing some thinking…
With SpongeBob at the grill, he of course has the same problem he always has, only making Krabby Patties. But for once, everyone hates them. They like their normal fare. It’s fun seeing this change for once. I really loved all the references when SpongeBob started trying to find stuff in the freezer. We got references from season 1 all the way to season 10, that’s what I like to see! SpongeBob accidentally burns the patties, and apparently creates “night patties”, which everyone finds delicious. Well…everyone’s got different tastes I suppose. And somehow SpongeBob likes it too. I guess people do like charred meat…
Okay I don’t know why I keep ending paragraphs with ellipses. Anyway, everyone’s chilling until The Fisherman comes in, stealing everyone’s cash. SpongeBob’s naivety in dealing with him at first is hilarious. Then his sense of justice comes in, and he puts the guy under “fry cook’s arrest”, which is also funny to me. Then the two are fighting, and SpongeBob manages to outsmart him, getting him into the fry oil. But when SpongeBob shows the fried fisherman, everyone’s mad at him…turns out The Fisherman works there and robs them every night as tradition. Man, these people are odd. But at least they’re still friendly, welcoming him to the fold even after this mess-up.
Finally, it’s quittin’ time, and the workers of the night shift walk into the foggy morning. I love the atmosphere here, and we got a cool-looking background out of it too! Mr. Krabs walks in, and he denies any knowledge about a night shift, assuming it was a dream. And then we get the reveal that all of this took place in The Tidal Zone, meaning that yes, that story thread did continue from “No Pictures Please”! Well that just made me a lot happier. We need more episodes like this, I love this concept!
Episode Tier: Amazing
Episode Score: 9.2/10
