SpongeBob's Last Stand

Last updated

"SpongeBob's Last Stand"
SpongeBob SquarePants episode
SpongeBob's Last Stand.jpg
Promotional artwork for the episode detailing SpongeBob protesting to save Jellyfish Fields.
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 8
Directed by
Written by
Produced by Paul Tibbitt (supervising)
Featured music
  • "The Jellyfish Song"
  • "Give Jellyfish Fields a Chance"
Production code223-714/223-715 [1]
Original release dateMarch 16, 2010 (DVD) April 22, 2010 (2010-04-22) (television) [2]
Running time22 minutes (without commercials)
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Squidward in Clarinetland"
Next 
"Back to the Past"
SpongeBob SquarePants (season 7)
List of episodes

"SpongeBob's Last Stand" is the eighth episode of the seventh season and the 134th overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants . The episode was originally released on DVD on March 16, 2010, and aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on April 22, 2010, in celebration of Earth Day.

Contents

The series follows the adventures and endeavors of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. In this episode, SpongeBob and Patrick protest the construction of a highway that would destroy Jellyfish Fields.

The episode was written by Aaron Springer, Steven Banks, and Derek Iversen, and the animation was directed by Andrew Overtoom and Tom Yasumi. Upon release, the episode met positive reviews.

Plot

Early one day, SpongeBob and Patrick become the first visitors to a new section of Jellyfish Fields. As they wander in the area, they discover a sign that states that Shelly Superhighway will be built through Jellyfish Fields. Believing that the highway will pollute and ultimately destroy Jellyfish Fields, SpongeBob resolves to prevent the highway's creation.

SpongeBob asks Mr. Krabs for assistance, but he supports the highway, believing it can bring more customers to the Krusty Krab. SpongeBob then shows Mr. Krabs the highway's blueprint, demonstrating that the highway will run over the Krusty Krab and end directly at the Chum Bucket, revealing that Plankton is responsible for the highway's development. Mr. Krabs decides to support SpongeBob, and they both go to the Chum Bucket and try to stop Plankton from developing the highway; but the latter states that the rest of the town has unanimously voted to build it. Refusing to give up, SpongeBob and Patrick peacefully petition to stop the highway. Nobody listens to them or supports them, and they are quickly exiled for their actions. The highway is rapidly built and turns Jellyfish Fields into a wasteland, filling Bikini Bottom with pollution.

A few days later, the Krusty Krab's business quickly dwindles due to the highway. Believing that no one will come to the Krusty Krab, Mr. Krabs decides to sell Plankton the Krabby Patty formula. Mere seconds before he does, however, the angry jellyfish from Jellyfish Fields invade Bikini Bottom and start destroying the city. Seeing this as an opportunity to demolish the highway, SpongeBob makes an appeal to the people, who agree to destroy it. Everybody in Bikini Bottom turns against Plankton and helps destroy the highway, with Plankton getting run over as he tries to save it. The characters celebrate as Jellyfish Fields is restored to its natural state.

Production

"SpongeBob's Last Stand" was written by Aaron Springer, Steven Banks, and Derek Iversen. Springer also served as storyboard director. [3] Animation direction was by Andrew Overtoom and Tom Yasumi. The episode was part of Nickelodeon's 2010 Earth Day celebration. [4] [5] [6] The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on April 22, 2010, [2] [7] following a two-hour marathon of nature-themed SpongeBob episodes. [5] [8] A tie-in game to the episode was released online prior to its television airing. [9] [10] According to Nickelodeon, "[kids will] learn about the environment through different levels at different Bikini Bottom locales." [9]

Nickelodeon officially announced the episode in a press release on April 5, 2010. According to the network, "SpongeBob and Patrick learn the 'Shelly Super Highway' is coming to Bikini Bottom – right through Jellyfish Fields! They must find a way to galvanize their neighbors, or it could be the end for Jellyfish Fields forever." [11] It was promoted as SpongeBob's campaign to save the jellyfish. [5] [6] [12] Writer Banks told that the episode never set out to teach environmental lessons. He said "When you entertain someone and make it funny, sometimes you can get a message across [...] Not that we're out here to send messages everywhere." [8] The episode featured two musical numbers, including "Give Jellyfish Fields a Chance", a salute to the 1960s protest songs with similarities to John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance". [8] [13] Banks, on the song, said that "[It is a] sort of Bob Dylan meets John Lennon." [8]

On March 16, 2010, prior to the episode's television airing, the episode was released on the DVD compilation of the same name in the United States and Canada, [14] [15] [16] on July 18, 2011, in region 2, [17] and on June 6, 2011, in region 4. [18] The DVD features six other episodes including "Pet or Pests", "Komputer Overload", "Gullible Pants", "Overbooked", "No Hat for Pat", and "Toy Store of Doom". [19] [20] [21] On December 6, 2011, "SpongeBob's Last Stand" was released on the SpongeBob SquarePants: Complete Seventh Season DVD, alongside all episodes of the seventh season. [22] [23] On June 4, 2019, "SpongeBob's Last Stand" was released on the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Next 100 Episodes DVD, alongside all the episodes of seasons six through nine. [24]

Reception

According to Nielsen Media Research, Nickelodeon averaged 2.1 million total viewers. SpongeBob SquarePants was ranked as the number-one program on broadcast and basic cable in April and scored the number-one telecast, "SpongeBob's Last Stand", with kids 2–11 for the month. [25]

The episode received positive reviews from critics. Paul Mavis of DVD Talk said "[the episode has] a nicely worked-out story and strong, integrated gags." He added "it's a particularly well-crafted entry." [26] C. S. Strowbridge of The Numbers said "There are a number of funny gags on this double-length short, but it feels padded. It's also heavy-handed. I do like that they have a message to go with the jokes, but it would have been more effective if it were more subtle." [27] Josh Rode of DVD Verdict described the episode as "decent". [28] Shannon Gosney of The Mommy-Files said "there were many parts where my boys just burst out laughing. Even I found myself laughing at times." [21]

Controversy

Around the time of the episode's release it drew criticism from American conservatives, who argued that Nickelodeon was promoting environmentalism through this episode. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krusty Krab</span> Fictional restaurant in SpongeBob SquarePants

The Krusty Krab is a fictional fast food restaurant in the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It is famous for its signature burger, the Krabby Patty, the formula to which is a closely guarded trade secret.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> American animated television series

SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg that aired on Nickelodeon as a sneak peek after the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards on May 1, 1999, and officially premiered on July 17, 1999. It chronicles the adventures of the title character and his aquatic friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The series received worldwide critical acclaim, and has gained popularity by its second season. As of 2019, the series is the fifth-longest-running American animated series. Its popularity made it a multimedia franchise, the highest rated Nickelodeon series, and the most profitable intellectual property for Paramount Consumer Products. By 2019, it had generated over $13 billion in merchandising revenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krusty Krab Training Video</span> 10th episode of the 3rd season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Krusty Krab Training Video" is the second segment of the tenth episode of the third season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the second part of the 50th episode overall, as well as the show's 100th segment. The episode was written by Aaron Springer, C. H. Greenblatt, and Kent Osborne, and the animation was directed by Frank Weiss. Springer and Greenblatt also served as storyboard directors, and Caleb Meurer served as storyboard artist. The segment originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on May 10, 2002.

Pizza Delivery (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 5th episode of the 1st season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Pizza Delivery" is the first segment of the fifth episode of the first season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on August 14, 1999. The segment was written by Sherm Cohen, Aaron Springer, and Peter Burns, and the animation was directed by Sean Dempsey. Cohen also functioned as storyboard director, and Springer worked as storyboard artist.

Friend or Foe (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 1st episode of the 5th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Friend or Foe" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the 81st episode overall. It was written by Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, Mike Mitchell, Steven Banks, and Tim Hill, and the animation was directed by supervising director Alan Smart and Tom Yasumi; Alexander, Cervas and Mitchell also functioned as storyboard directors. The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on April 13, 2007.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by Stephen Hillenburg, aired on Nickelodeon from October 20, 2000, to July 26, 2003, and consists of 20 half-hour episodes. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The season was executive produced by series creator Hillenburg, who also acted as the showrunner.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by former marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, aired on Nickelodeon from February 19, 2007, to July 19, 2009, and contained 20 half-hour episodes. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The season was executive produced by series creator Hillenburg and writer Paul Tibbitt, who also acted as the showrunner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pest of the West</span> 16th episode of the 5th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Pest of the West" is the 16th episode of the fifth season and the 96th overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. In this episode, SpongeBob finds that he is a distant relative of SpongeBuck SquarePants, a sheriff from Bikini Bottom's past town who helped save the citizens from the quickest whip draw in town, the evil Dead Eye Plankton. It was written by Luke Brookshier, Tom King, Steven Banks and Richard Pursel, with Andrew Overtoom and Tom Yasumi serving as animation directors. Brookshier and King also functioned as storyboard directors.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, began airing on Nickelodeon in the United States on July 19, 2009, and ended on June 11, 2011. It contained 26 half-hour episodes, with a miniseries titled Legends of Bikini Bottom. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom.

<i>SpongeBob vs. The Big One: Beach Party Cook-Off</i> 2009 video game

SpongeBob vs. The Big One: Beach Party Cook-Off is a 2009 SpongeBob SquarePants video game developed by The Fizz Factor and published by Play THQ. In the European Union, the game is known as SpongeBob SquarePants: Frantic Fry-Cook. It was announced on January 12, 2009 by THQ Inc. that the game was being developed and was going to release later that year. It is based on the episode SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One. The game was released on March 3, 2009, the same day as the episode's DVD release.

<i>SpongeBobs Truth or Square</i> 2009 made-for-television comedy special

SpongeBob's Truth or Square is a 2009 made-for-television comedy television film and an hour-long episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants that was produced as the 123rd and 124th episodes of the series. The special originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 6, 2009, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the television series. This is the second SpongeBob SquarePants television film, following SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis. Its animation was directed by supervising director Alan Smart, Andrew Overtoom and Tom Yasumi.

Help Wanted (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Help Wanted" is the premiere and pilot episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on May 1, 1999, following the television broadcast of the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards. The episode follows the series' eponymous protagonist SpongeBob, a yellow anthropomorphic sea sponge, attempting to get a job at a local fast food restaurant called the Krusty Krab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Clash of Triton</span> 26th episode of the 6th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"The Clash of Triton", also known as "Neptune's Party", is the 26th and final episode of the sixth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the 126th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on July 5, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Great Patty Caper</span> 17th episode of the 7th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"The Great Patty Caper", also known as "Mystery with a Twistery" and "Krabby Patty No More", is the 17th episode of the seventh season and the 143rd overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 11, 2010. The series follows the adventures of the title character in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. In the episode, the key to the vault holding the Krabby Patty recipe gets lost and SpongeBob must locate it before the recipe is lost forever.

Graveyard Shift (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 24th episode of the 3rd season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Graveyard Shift" is the first part of the 16th episode of the second season, and the 36th episode overall, of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The episode was written by Mr. Lawrence, Jay Lender and Dan Povenmire, and the animation was directed by Sean Dempsey. Lender and Povenmire also served as storyboard directors. The episode was copyrighted in 2001 and aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on September 6, 2002.

<i>Legends of Bikini Bottom</i> Anthology series in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants

Legends of Bikini Bottom is an anthology series of six episodes in the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, as part of its seventh season. As the name suggests, the episodes have plots involving things like monsters, magic, and mythical creatures. The episode called "Trenchbillies" first premiered on the online social networking service Facebook on January 27, 2011, before airing on Nickelodeon on January 29, 2011. The four others, titled "Sponge-Cano!", "The Main Drain", "The Monster Who Came to Bikini Bottom" and "Welcome to the Bikini Bottom Triangle" premiered on Nickelodeon as part of an hour-long special on January 28, 2011. The decision to air the series online was aimed at attracting "the young and the restless hooked to the internet and the social media."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpongeBob, You're Fired</span> 11th episode of the 9th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" is a television special of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, serving as the eleventh episode of the ninth season and the 189th overall episode. It was written by Marc Ceccarelli, Luke Brookshier, and Mr. Lawrence, with supervising director Alan Smart and Tom Yasumi serving as animation directors. Originally premiering in Greece on July 3, 2013, it premiered on Nickelodeon in the United States that same year on November 11. In this episode, SpongeBob gets fired from the Krusty Krab after Mr. Krabs discovers he can save a nickel by letting him go. Subsequently, SpongeBob's attempts to apply at other restaurants end in humiliating failure.

SpongeBob SquarePants 4D: The Great Jelly Rescue is a 4-D film attraction and successor to SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D. It follows SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy as they rescue the jellyfish of Jellyfish Fields from Plankton's evil clutches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squid Noir</span> 9th episode of the 11th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Squid Noir" is the first half of the ninth episode of the eleventh season and the 224th overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 10, 2017. This episode aired as part of a premiere week of new SpongeBob episodes called "You Bring the Color". During the premiere week, users could color in frames from the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song online and had a chance for them to be used in the opening sequence. The original American airing of "Squid Noir" featured each frame of the last minute of the episode also colored by viewers. The episode revolves around Squidward's clarinet suddenly disappearing prior to his open mic performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krabby Patty</span> Fictional hamburger in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants

The Krabby Patty is a hamburger sold by the fictional restaurant the Krusty Krab in the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. Created by the restaurant's founder Eugene Krabs and his archenemy Plankton, it is what the main character SpongeBob cooks throughout his job as a fry cook, as well as the restaurant's trademark food and most famous burger in Bikini Bottom. A prominent storyline throughout the series is Krabs' nemesis Plankton trying to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula. This running gag was given a backstory in the special "Friend or Foe", where it is revealed that Krabs and Plankton created the Krabby Patty to compete with the health-violating restaurant Stinky Burgers.

References

  1. SpongeBob SquarePants Episode Guide -Nicktoons Prods [ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 Seidman, Robert (April 5, 2010). ""SpongeBob" Campaigns to Save Jellyfish Fields in "SpongeBob's Last Stand" Premiering Earth Day, April 22, On Nickelodeon". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  3. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete Seventh Season ("SpongeBob's Last Stand" credits) (DVD). United States: Paramount Home Entertainment/Nickelodeon. December 6, 2011.
  4. "Nickelodeon Celebrates Earth Day 2010 With Green Themed Premieres". Nickutopia. April 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 Liu, Ed (April 5, 2010). "Nickelodeon Announces Earth Day 2010 Programming, Incl. "SpongeBob's Last Stand"". Toonzone. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  6. 1 2 McLean, Thomas J. (April 6, 2010). "SpongeBob Makes last Stand for Earth Day". Animation. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  7. "SpongeBob SquarePants Goes Green for Earth Day". Ugo. April 7, 2013. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Rowe, Douglas J. (April 21, 2010). "SpongeBob SquarePants Shows It's Not Easy Being Yellow on Earth Day". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  9. 1 2 Dougherty, Robert (April 17, 2010). "SpongeBob Last Stand Game Ties into Earth Day Special". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  10. "Celebrate Earth Day with Nickelodeon!". Sage and Savvy. April 16, 2010. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  11. Seidman, Robert (April 5, 2010). ""SpongeBob" Campaigns to Save Jellyfish Fields in "SpongeBob's Last Stand" Premiering Earth Day, April 22, On Nickelodeon". Zap2it. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  12. Basile, Nancy (April 22, 2010). ""SpongeBob's Last Stand" Tonight". About.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  13. "Nickelodeon Celebrates Earth Day With 'SpongeBob's Last Stand,' Themed Programming 4/22". Broadway World. April 5, 2010. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  14. "SpongeBob SquarePants – Spongebob's Last Stand". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  15. Lambert, David (December 14, 2009). "SpongeBob SquarePants – Never-Seen Episode Comes to DVD First in 'SpongeBob's Last Stand'". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  16. Lambert, David (December 17, 2009). "SpongeBob SquarePants – Early Front DVD Cover Art for SpongeBob's Last Stand". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  17. "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Last Stand [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  18. "SpongeBob's Last Stand". EzyDVD. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  19. Miller, Gordon S. (December 17, 2011). "DVD Review: SpongeBob SquarePants – Complete 7th Season". Blogcritics. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  20. "SpongeBob Squarepants: SpongeBob's Last Stand DVD Available Today!". Must Have Mom!. March 16, 2010. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  21. 1 2 Gosney, Shannon (March 26, 2010). ""Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Last Stand" DVD Review". The Mommy-Files. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  22. Jane, Ian (December 16, 2011). "Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete seventh Season". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  23. Rode, Josh (December 11, 2011). "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete Seventh Season". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  24. "Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  25. Seidman, Robert (April 27, 2010). "SpongeBob SquarePants, The Penguins of Madagascar and Fanboy and Chum Chum rank as Top Three Animated Series on All TV with Kids 2–11 and Kids 6–11 In April". Zap2it. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  26. Mavis, Paul (March 18, 2010). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Spongebob's Last Stand". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  27. Stowbridge, C. S. (December 4, 2011). "Featured TV on DVD Review: SpongeBob SquarePants: Season Seven". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  28. Rode, Josh (December 11, 2011). "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete Seventh Season". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  29. "SpongeBob's Firing Sparks Political Debate (Exclusive Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. November 4, 2013. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
Listen to this article (7 minutes)
Sound-icon.svg
This audio file was created from a revision of this article dated 3 May 2024 (2024-05-03), and does not reflect subsequent edits.