287a. Friendiversary

I LOVED this episode! Might be my new favorite of the season. I'm going to have to rewatch it to find the references I missed, there was a lot of clips of old episodes that flashed by when SpongeBob was remembering his memories with Squidward. Season 13 has been going over the top with meta references to the theme song and references to classic episodes, but this one was actually warranted. The music used in the title card and the episode helped bring back the old school SpongeBob feel too. Only thing I will knock it for is the unnecessary Squidward torture, poor guy got pretty paranoid. Otherwise a fantastic episode. 9.5/10
 
Tbh I didn’t like this episode there was almost no humor and the beginning dragged out for too long the last few minutes bring it up to a 5.5/10
 
I felt really bad for Squidward in this episode but the references in this episode were pretty neat some references feel more forced than others though and that I didn't like 7/10
 
I remember hating this one much more on my first watch than my second. The episode is not as much of a mess or over-animated as I thought, but it still ain't that good, just ehhhhhhhh...

My old score was like a 5/10 (only due to the times where it made me laugh ironically)
now it's a 5.5/low 6
 
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First post-284 episode I'm not a huge fan of.

The Squidward torture aspect bothers me, especially in the first 5 minutes. But I mean it is necessary, those had to be set up before the memory unerasing attempts, but they shouldn't have gone as far as to make Squidward go mad (although it does make more sense that all that had to happen for Squidward to lose it and kick off the plot).
From then on the episode is pretty fun, the references don't feel as excessive as they make perfect sense for the plot.
And then the very ending in The Krusty Krab is where the episode goes bad again.


Honestly I want to love this episode but it was hard to watch Squidward suffer and go insane.
 
Okay, yeah. This episode does some great stuff. The concept isn't actually half bad. I think my main gripe is that I've hated how modern SpongeBob tries to throw back old references way too much, and this episode is just that but the whole episode. However, this is much more enjoyable than other modern SpongeBob episodes I've seen somehow. I think they work the concept itself well enough to stand out so far for this season. I've actually seen people talk about it.

It's a Squidward torture episode, but oddly at the same time reminds me ALOT of Dying for Pie. Actually, when I think about it, its like if Dying for Pie was written nowadays.
 
I’ve heard a lot about “Friendiversary”. Mostly from SquidBob shippers I forgot to block, but either way I’ve still heard a lot. And what I have heard is very interesting. So I’m excited to get into this one. Y’all know I love my references and the self-referential turn of the show, and from what I’ve heard, this episode is all about that.

We begin with Squidward hearing some random noises from the bottom floor of his house, and of course the one making those noises is none other than SpongeBob, who broke into Squidward’s house to celebrate their “friendiversary”. Alright, this is cute. A perfect balance between SpongeBob being adorable and a little weirdo, it’s very endearing. And this scrapbook??? Oh my lord the references…the references to Hillenburg’s original drawings????? I love this so much already and we’re like 1 minute in. And of course Squidward is not happy about this. His angry face all throughout this scene is very entertaining. And he can’t even get peace the next day, or later that same day I guess. Man, I haven’t seen a Squidward break down that bad since “Restraining SpongeBob”. SpongeBob basically follows Squidward around all day, which results in some great visual gags and hilarious faces from SpongeBob. Poor Squidward is basically tormented, scared of seeing SpongeBob everywhere he looks. But it’s of course funny. I especially love when Squidward is at the Krusty Krab and SpongeBob finally shows up again, and Squidward basically becomes an inflatable tube guy himself. Too funny. I do worry for Rodger Bumpass’s vocal cords at times. I just love how actually kind of insane this episode is, poor Squidward is really going through it. And yet it’s so funny! I’ve said before that it’s typically very humorous when Squidward is the butt-monkey, and this episode is no different. Especially as this episode is one that can only be done at this point of the show. It only works because SpongeBob and Squidward have had this dynamic for going on 24 years now.

We then cut to later that evening (which I love how the narrator for once doesn’t even say what’s on the time card, just says “Happy Friendiversary”), where Squidward is…having a moment. I mean, we laugh, but I’m sure we’d all also be creeped out like Squidward if something like this happened to us lol. Good thing it won’t, so I’m still laughing. I’d like to think that Squidward’s rambling here is referring the lack of continuity in the show. SpongeBob remembers things that “never happened”, but maybe they did…in an episode that isn’t in the current continuity of the show. I love the horror vibes being played with here with the dark environments, and then Squidward finally coming up with his scheme. See, he’s going to erase SpongeBob’s memories of Squidward so that SpongeBob’ll finally leave him alone. Well, there’s no way this could possibly backfire, right?

Come on, y’all know that I know that you know that we know that this will never, ever be the case. I mean, at first it seems fine, because SpongeBob clearly doesn’t know Squidward (you know, I know this plan was made out of desperation when Squidward wasn’t in his right mind, but I feel like this thing, if the other conflict of the episode didn’t happen, would play out simply like Squidward’s ending of “Shanghaied”…SpongeBob would just end up befriending Squidward again. Erasing his memories of him has only given Squidward a slight reprieve). Then the other shoe drops—SpongeBob had apparently hidden the memory of the secret formula safe in his memories of Squidward. I know people don’t like how loud this show is now. But I do, and I think Mr. Krabs yelling at Squidward like this is hilarious. So now Squidward’s forced to go un-erase SpongeBob’s memory. Oh boy. Now I see why some people think this episode is like “Dying for Pie”. I’m going to say that this is a reference considering that this episode is about Squidward and SpongeBob’s friendship.

It’s funny seeing SpongeBob act like this towards Squidward, a little bit wary of him and not at all affectionate. And throughout this part of the episode, he’s just drawn like a little guy, it’s very fun to me. So now SpongeBob and Squidward have to try and recreate all their memories together. We start with the memories already highlighted in the episode…but then it gets better. Because then we start getting references out the wazoo. And I love it. It’s so interesting seeing old moments reanimated in the show’s newest style, it allows for some neat comparisons. And SpongeBob’s continuous shrugs during some of the show’s most iconic moments is great. And we even get a “Dying For Pie” reference in here…is this a reference inside a reference? Reference-ception? We also get other moments that leave me with many questions, like the one in Kelp Forest. SpongeBob turning into a light grenade in this part was so unexpected and hilarious.

So now we’re at Squidward’s last idea to get SpongeBob to remember him…a very complicated contraption set against a gorgeous background (alert). And, somehow, it works! I love that the image of Squidward SpongeBob’s brain lands on is the most basic png LMAO. And yes don’t think I didn’t see all the freaking shots of episodes throughout the series in here…I love this I love this I love this I love this. Is it sudden? Yeah, but who cares. Squidward goes through quite a bit of slapstick as SpongeBob remembers the combination to the safe. And so everything is normal again…except turns out SpongeBob got the date of their Friendiversary wrong. It wasn’t yesterday, it was today! Or perhaps tomorrow…

“Friendiversary” was a good episode with lots of references. I only have one little problem with it—I don’t think it did enough. Now, I know the episode was already similar to “Dying For Pie”, but I still think this episode should’ve had a real emotional component to it, similar to that episode. Like Squidward realizing his life is not better without SpongeBob. Yes, we’ve had episodes like that before. But this episode would’ve been different because it would’ve had that element of a retrospective look on the two’s friendship, I think. And I think that to do this, this episode could’ve shorted the beginning portion with Squidward being terrorized, and spent more time on Squidward trying to get SpongeBob to remember, with him actually starting to get a bit desperate in the end, not just because of Mr. Krabs’ order, but because he actually cares for the lil guy in the end. Similar to “Dying For Pie”, but better for the episode.

Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.2/10
 
Pugs4Thugs said:
I’ve heard a lot about “Friendiversary”. Mostly from SquidBob shippers I forgot to block, but either way I’ve still heard a lot. And what I have heard is very interesting. So I’m excited to get into this one. Y’all know I love my references and the self-referential turn of the show, and from what I’ve heard, this episode is all about that.

We begin with Squidward hearing some random noises from the bottom floor of his house, and of course the one making those noises is none other than SpongeBob, who broke into Squidward’s house to celebrate their “friendiversary”. Alright, this is cute. A perfect balance between SpongeBob being adorable and a little weirdo, it’s very endearing. And this scrapbook??? Oh my lord the references…the references to Hillenburg’s original drawings????? I love this so much already and we’re like 1 minute in. And of course Squidward is not happy about this. His angry face all throughout this scene is very entertaining. And he can’t even get peace the next day, or later that same day I guess. Man, I haven’t seen a Squidward break down that bad since “Restraining SpongeBob”. SpongeBob basically follows Squidward around all day, which results in some great visual gags and hilarious faces from SpongeBob. Poor Squidward is basically tormented, scared of seeing SpongeBob everywhere he looks. But it’s of course funny. I especially love when Squidward is at the Krusty Krab and SpongeBob finally shows up again, and Squidward basically becomes an inflatable tube guy himself. Too funny. I do worry for Rodger Bumpass’s vocal cords at times. I just love how actually kind of insane this episode is, poor Squidward is really going through it. And yet it’s so funny! I’ve said before that it’s typically very humorous when Squidward is the butt-monkey, and this episode is no different. Especially as this episode is one that can only be done at this point of the show. It only works because SpongeBob and Squidward have had this dynamic for going on 24 years now.

We then cut to later that evening (which I love how the narrator for once doesn’t even say what’s on the time card, just says “Happy Friendiversary”), where Squidward is…having a moment. I mean, we laugh, but I’m sure we’d all also be creeped out like Squidward if something like this happened to us lol. Good thing it won’t, so I’m still laughing. I’d like to think that Squidward’s rambling here is referring the lack of continuity in the show. SpongeBob remembers things that “never happened”, but maybe they did…in an episode that isn’t in the current continuity of the show. I love the horror vibes being played with here with the dark environments, and then Squidward finally coming up with his scheme. See, he’s going to erase SpongeBob’s memories of Squidward so that SpongeBob’ll finally leave him alone. Well, there’s no way this could possibly backfire, right?

Come on, y’all know that I know that you know that we know that this will never, ever be the case. I mean, at first it seems fine, because SpongeBob clearly doesn’t know Squidward (you know, I know this plan was made out of desperation when Squidward wasn’t in his right mind, but I feel like this thing, if the other conflict of the episode didn’t happen, would play out simply like Squidward’s ending of “Shanghaied”…SpongeBob would just end up befriending Squidward again. Erasing his memories of him has only given Squidward a slight reprieve). Then the other shoe drops—SpongeBob had apparently hidden the memory of the secret formula safe in his memories of Squidward. I know people don’t like how loud this show is now. But I do, and I think Mr. Krabs yelling at Squidward like this is hilarious. So now Squidward’s forced to go un-erase SpongeBob’s memory. Oh boy. Now I see why some people think this episode is like “Dying for Pie”. I’m going to say that this is a reference considering that this episode is about Squidward and SpongeBob’s friendship.

It’s funny seeing SpongeBob act like this towards Squidward, a little bit wary of him and not at all affectionate. And throughout this part of the episode, he’s just drawn like a little guy, it’s very fun to me. So now SpongeBob and Squidward have to try and recreate all their memories together. We start with the memories already highlighted in the episode…but then it gets better. Because then we start getting references out the wazoo. And I love it. It’s so interesting seeing old moments reanimated in the show’s newest style, it allows for some neat comparisons. And SpongeBob’s continuous shrugs during some of the show’s most iconic moments is great. And we even get a “Dying For Pie” reference in here…is this a reference inside a reference? Reference-ception? We also get other moments that leave me with many questions, like the one in Kelp Forest. SpongeBob turning into a light grenade in this part was so unexpected and hilarious.

So now we’re at Squidward’s last idea to get SpongeBob to remember him…a very complicated contraption set against a gorgeous background (alert). And, somehow, it works! I love that the image of Squidward SpongeBob’s brain lands on is the most basic png LMAO. And yes don’t think I didn’t see all the freaking shots of episodes throughout the series in here…I love this I love this I love this I love this. Is it sudden? Yeah, but who cares. Squidward goes through quite a bit of slapstick as SpongeBob remembers the combination to the safe. And so everything is normal again…except turns out SpongeBob got the date of their Friendiversary wrong. It wasn’t yesterday, it was today! Or perhaps tomorrow…

“Friendiversary” was a good episode with lots of references. I only have one little problem with it—I don’t think it did enough. Now, I know the episode was already similar to “Dying For Pie”, but I still think this episode should’ve had a real emotional component to it, similar to that episode. Like Squidward realizing his life is not better without SpongeBob. Yes, we’ve had episodes like that before. But this episode would’ve been different because it would’ve had that element of a retrospective look on the two’s friendship, I think. And I think that to do this, this episode could’ve shorted the beginning portion with Squidward being terrorized, and spent more time on Squidward trying to get SpongeBob to remember, with him actually starting to get a bit desperate in the end, not just because of Mr. Krabs’ order, but because he actually cares for the lil guy in the end. Similar to “Dying For Pie”, but better for the episode.

Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.2/10
Click to expand...
Oh my god
 
Pugs4Thugs said:
I’ve heard a lot about “Friendiversary”. Mostly from SquidBob shippers I forgot to block, but either way I’ve still heard a lot. And what I have heard is very interesting. So I’m excited to get into this one. Y’all know I love my references and the self-referential turn of the show, and from what I’ve heard, this episode is all about that.

We begin with Squidward hearing some random noises from the bottom floor of his house, and of course the one making those noises is none other than SpongeBob, who broke into Squidward’s house to celebrate their “friendiversary”. Alright, this is cute. A perfect balance between SpongeBob being adorable and a little weirdo, it’s very endearing. And this scrapbook??? Oh my lord the references…the references to Hillenburg’s original drawings????? I love this so much already and we’re like 1 minute in. And of course Squidward is not happy about this. His angry face all throughout this scene is very entertaining. And he can’t even get peace the next day, or later that same day I guess. Man, I haven’t seen a Squidward break down that bad since “Restraining SpongeBob”. SpongeBob basically follows Squidward around all day, which results in some great visual gags and hilarious faces from SpongeBob. Poor Squidward is basically tormented, scared of seeing SpongeBob everywhere he looks. But it’s of course funny. I especially love when Squidward is at the Krusty Krab and SpongeBob finally shows up again, and Squidward basically becomes an inflatable tube guy himself. Too funny. I do worry for Rodger Bumpass’s vocal cords at times. I just love how actually kind of insane this episode is, poor Squidward is really going through it. And yet it’s so funny! I’ve said before that it’s typically very humorous when Squidward is the butt-monkey, and this episode is no different. Especially as this episode is one that can only be done at this point of the show. It only works because SpongeBob and Squidward have had this dynamic for going on 24 years now.

We then cut to later that evening (which I love how the narrator for once doesn’t even say what’s on the time card, just says “Happy Friendiversary”), where Squidward is…having a moment. I mean, we laugh, but I’m sure we’d all also be creeped out like Squidward if something like this happened to us lol. Good thing it won’t, so I’m still laughing. I’d like to think that Squidward’s rambling here is referring the lack of continuity in the show. SpongeBob remembers things that “never happened”, but maybe they did…in an episode that isn’t in the current continuity of the show. I love the horror vibes being played with here with the dark environments, and then Squidward finally coming up with his scheme. See, he’s going to erase SpongeBob’s memories of Squidward so that SpongeBob’ll finally leave him alone. Well, there’s no way this could possibly backfire, right?

Come on, y’all know that I know that you know that we know that this will never, ever be the case. I mean, at first it seems fine, because SpongeBob clearly doesn’t know Squidward (you know, I know this plan was made out of desperation when Squidward wasn’t in his right mind, but I feel like this thing, if the other conflict of the episode didn’t happen, would play out simply like Squidward’s ending of “Shanghaied”…SpongeBob would just end up befriending Squidward again. Erasing his memories of him has only given Squidward a slight reprieve). Then the other shoe drops—SpongeBob had apparently hidden the memory of the secret formula safe in his memories of Squidward. I know people don’t like how loud this show is now. But I do, and I think Mr. Krabs yelling at Squidward like this is hilarious. So now Squidward’s forced to go un-erase SpongeBob’s memory. Oh boy. Now I see why some people think this episode is like “Dying for Pie”. I’m going to say that this is a reference considering that this episode is about Squidward and SpongeBob’s friendship.

It’s funny seeing SpongeBob act like this towards Squidward, a little bit wary of him and not at all affectionate. And throughout this part of the episode, he’s just drawn like a little guy, it’s very fun to me. So now SpongeBob and Squidward have to try and recreate all their memories together. We start with the memories already highlighted in the episode…but then it gets better. Because then we start getting references out the wazoo. And I love it. It’s so interesting seeing old moments reanimated in the show’s newest style, it allows for some neat comparisons. And SpongeBob’s continuous shrugs during some of the show’s most iconic moments is great. And we even get a “Dying For Pie” reference in here…is this a reference inside a reference? Reference-ception? We also get other moments that leave me with many questions, like the one in Kelp Forest. SpongeBob turning into a light grenade in this part was so unexpected and hilarious.

So now we’re at Squidward’s last idea to get SpongeBob to remember him…a very complicated contraption set against a gorgeous background (alert). And, somehow, it works! I love that the image of Squidward SpongeBob’s brain lands on is the most basic png LMAO. And yes don’t think I didn’t see all the freaking shots of episodes throughout the series in here…I love this I love this I love this I love this. Is it sudden? Yeah, but who cares. Squidward goes through quite a bit of slapstick as SpongeBob remembers the combination to the safe. And so everything is normal again…except turns out SpongeBob got the date of their Friendiversary wrong. It wasn’t yesterday, it was today! Or perhaps tomorrow…

“Friendiversary” was a good episode with lots of references. I only have one little problem with it—I don’t think it did enough. Now, I know the episode was already similar to “Dying For Pie”, but I still think this episode should’ve had a real emotional component to it, similar to that episode. Like Squidward realizing his life is not better without SpongeBob. Yes, we’ve had episodes like that before. But this episode would’ve been different because it would’ve had that element of a retrospective look on the two’s friendship, I think. And I think that to do this, this episode could’ve shorted the beginning portion with Squidward being terrorized, and spent more time on Squidward trying to get SpongeBob to remember, with him actually starting to get a bit desperate in the end, not just because of Mr. Krabs’ order, but because he actually cares for the lil guy in the end. Similar to “Dying For Pie”, but better for the episode.

Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.2/10
Click to expand...
This i definitely agree with I love all of the references to older episodes and plus I am hyped to see what you think of Mandatory Music
 
Pugs4Thugs said:
I’ve heard a lot about “Friendiversary”. Mostly from SquidBob shippers I forgot to block, but either way I’ve still heard a lot. And what I have heard is very interesting. So I’m excited to get into this one. Y’all know I love my references and the self-referential turn of the show, and from what I’ve heard, this episode is all about that.

We begin with Squidward hearing some random noises from the bottom floor of his house, and of course the one making those noises is none other than SpongeBob, who broke into Squidward’s house to celebrate their “friendiversary”. Alright, this is cute. A perfect balance between SpongeBob being adorable and a little weirdo, it’s very endearing. And this scrapbook??? Oh my lord the references…the references to Hillenburg’s original drawings????? I love this so much already and we’re like 1 minute in. And of course Squidward is not happy about this. His angry face all throughout this scene is very entertaining. And he can’t even get peace the next day, or later that same day I guess. Man, I haven’t seen a Squidward break down that bad since “Restraining SpongeBob”. SpongeBob basically follows Squidward around all day, which results in some great visual gags and hilarious faces from SpongeBob. Poor Squidward is basically tormented, scared of seeing SpongeBob everywhere he looks. But it’s of course funny. I especially love when Squidward is at the Krusty Krab and SpongeBob finally shows up again, and Squidward basically becomes an inflatable tube guy himself. Too funny. I do worry for Rodger Bumpass’s vocal cords at times. I just love how actually kind of insane this episode is, poor Squidward is really going through it. And yet it’s so funny! I’ve said before that it’s typically very humorous when Squidward is the butt-monkey, and this episode is no different. Especially as this episode is one that can only be done at this point of the show. It only works because SpongeBob and Squidward have had this dynamic for going on 24 years now.

We then cut to later that evening (which I love how the narrator for once doesn’t even say what’s on the time card, just says “Happy Friendiversary”), where Squidward is…having a moment. I mean, we laugh, but I’m sure we’d all also be creeped out like Squidward if something like this happened to us lol. Good thing it won’t, so I’m still laughing. I’d like to think that Squidward’s rambling here is referring the lack of continuity in the show. SpongeBob remembers things that “never happened”, but maybe they did…in an episode that isn’t in the current continuity of the show. I love the horror vibes being played with here with the dark environments, and then Squidward finally coming up with his scheme. See, he’s going to erase SpongeBob’s memories of Squidward so that SpongeBob’ll finally leave him alone. Well, there’s no way this could possibly backfire, right?

Come on, y’all know that I know that you know that we know that this will never, ever be the case. I mean, at first it seems fine, because SpongeBob clearly doesn’t know Squidward (you know, I know this plan was made out of desperation when Squidward wasn’t in his right mind, but I feel like this thing, if the other conflict of the episode didn’t happen, would play out simply like Squidward’s ending of “Shanghaied”…SpongeBob would just end up befriending Squidward again. Erasing his memories of him has only given Squidward a slight reprieve). Then the other shoe drops—SpongeBob had apparently hidden the memory of the secret formula safe in his memories of Squidward. I know people don’t like how loud this show is now. But I do, and I think Mr. Krabs yelling at Squidward like this is hilarious. So now Squidward’s forced to go un-erase SpongeBob’s memory. Oh boy. Now I see why some people think this episode is like “Dying for Pie”. I’m going to say that this is a reference considering that this episode is about Squidward and SpongeBob’s friendship.

It’s funny seeing SpongeBob act like this towards Squidward, a little bit wary of him and not at all affectionate. And throughout this part of the episode, he’s just drawn like a little guy, it’s very fun to me. So now SpongeBob and Squidward have to try and recreate all their memories together. We start with the memories already highlighted in the episode…but then it gets better. Because then we start getting references out the wazoo. And I love it. It’s so interesting seeing old moments reanimated in the show’s newest style, it allows for some neat comparisons. And SpongeBob’s continuous shrugs during some of the show’s most iconic moments is great. And we even get a “Dying For Pie” reference in here…is this a reference inside a reference? Reference-ception? We also get other moments that leave me with many questions, like the one in Kelp Forest. SpongeBob turning into a light grenade in this part was so unexpected and hilarious.

So now we’re at Squidward’s last idea to get SpongeBob to remember him…a very complicated contraption set against a gorgeous background (alert). And, somehow, it works! I love that the image of Squidward SpongeBob’s brain lands on is the most basic png LMAO. And yes don’t think I didn’t see all the freaking shots of episodes throughout the series in here…I love this I love this I love this I love this. Is it sudden? Yeah, but who cares. Squidward goes through quite a bit of slapstick as SpongeBob remembers the combination to the safe. And so everything is normal again…except turns out SpongeBob got the date of their Friendiversary wrong. It wasn’t yesterday, it was today! Or perhaps tomorrow…

“Friendiversary” was a good episode with lots of references. I only have one little problem with it—I don’t think it did enough. Now, I know the episode was already similar to “Dying For Pie”, but I still think this episode should’ve had a real emotional component to it, similar to that episode. Like Squidward realizing his life is not better without SpongeBob. Yes, we’ve had episodes like that before. But this episode would’ve been different because it would’ve had that element of a retrospective look on the two’s friendship, I think. And I think that to do this, this episode could’ve shorted the beginning portion with Squidward being terrorized, and spent more time on Squidward trying to get SpongeBob to remember, with him actually starting to get a bit desperate in the end, not just because of Mr. Krabs’ order, but because he actually cares for the lil guy in the end. Similar to “Dying For Pie”, but better for the episode.

Episode Tier: Great
Episode Score: 8.2/10
Click to expand...
episode was great but i feel like it could've been better, i know it's weird but i kinda wish it was more like dying for pie. needed an emotional center (like you mentioned in your review) and some charming character moments to make it peak, cause it just feels like a series of gags one after the other
 
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meko1432 said:
episode was great but i feel like it could've been better, i know it's weird but i kinda wish it was more like dying for pie. needed an emotional center (like you mentioned in your review) and some charming character moments to make it peak, cause it just feels like a series of gags one after the other
Click to expand...
That's exactly how I feel. Obviously, I don't mind gag-heavy episodes, but an episode with a plot like this should've had an emotional center, like you said.
 
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