SBC's Top 50 Best Episodes Ever 2018!

[SpongeNicko]

1 hour ago, kylie said:

Seriously though, calm down with the dog-piling on 4EG just for stating his opinion or constructing his lists a certain way. We've been through the motions of this disagreement enough times to know that it's not going to go anywhere. At the end of the day this is a list ranking SpongeBob episodes and not anything that serious. You are liable to receive warning points if you cannot help yourself. Thank you! 

 

Yeah exactly. Besides, like Wumbo said in this thread a while back, many people do have at least a little bit of responsibility to bear on them for how 4EG is doing his list given how much people ragged on him when he constructed his own list. I myself may not agree with how the guy did his list this year, but it's really no big issue (which is why I haven't really said much about it beyond that one post) and if he hadn't been crapped on for stating his real opinions I'm sure he wouldn't have felt the need to do this.

[almy]

whoa  lmao this placed high  i think it was either at the bottom of my list or not there

[WhoBibbles]

To be serious, Dying for Pie will always be top 3 worthy for me because It explores SpongeBob and Squidward dynamic unlike any other. When people say what's the best aspect of SpongeBob, that'd be SpongeBob and Squidward relationship. Their personalities and ideologies are polar opposites, yet they basically pull each other and balance it out. Here we actually get to see how much Squidward cares for SpongeBob. He thinks SpongeBob is doomed with no solution of saving him, so he puts up with his shenanigans to give him his best final hours. That kind of dynamic was never tackled in a kids cartoon as far as I can tell, so seeing this type of sitaution makes it not only refreshing, so damn emotional as well. Of course the show doesn't forget to make us laugh, so it gives us some of best comedy ever. And we finally got to sunset where SpongeBob is supposed to die. Even as a kid, I knew SpongeBob wouldn't die but the scene with Squidward waiting for the doom with sadness is just heartbreaking to see. Especially considering that SpongeBob was willing to forgive anyone who leads him to his doom unintentionally. Although like a true SpongeBob episode, that doesn't seem to be the case. SpongeBob got to live and Squidward was so angry about how it was all fake. When any other show fake a death, it comes off as a bad writing and a cheap tactic to shock the audience but we all know killing the main character wouldn't do any good and this show is comedic, so this works out well but It doesn't take away how Squidward actually feels about SpongeBob and that's all that matters. This episode rules because of these reasons and It definitely deserved #3 spot.

[Wumbo]

2. "Oh, so now the talking cheese is gonna preach to us!"

 

Band Geeks, 387 points

(21 of 32 lists. 3 #1 votes - 4EverGreen/crushing/Halibut)

http://spongebob.wikia.com/wiki/Band_Geeks

WhoBob: Band Geeks used to be my favorite episode just like many other people and it meant something to me and it still means something to this day. It's no longer my favorite episode of the show but dammit, everytime I think about the episode, I wanna praise more and more. It has comedy, emotion and a really interesting story to tell. Basically Squidward has a person he despises so much and that is Squilliam, the guy that is just like Squidward but with more ego and he has everything. Squilliam rubbing his success in Squidward really angered him that he finds himself as a failure and he actually wanted to do something important for people and himself. From that moment, I already rooted for him and he was the main character of the episode. And the episode truly begins with first day of practise when he tries to make a band work to achieve his dreams and of course this backfires with some hilarious jokes like Mr. Krabs telling when is free food, "instruments of torture" and Patrick kicking Sandy. During day 2, we cut back to another hilarious joke with two fishes exploding in the sky and everyone grives for it and Squidward just lies down. Day 3 has a classic Plankton being tiny joke that works out just well. And the last day of practise just becomes an epic disaster with some of the best comedy of the series. People arguing with each other and then kicking each other's butts. It's not only hilarious, it's bloody entertaining. But lets all ignore the hilarity the episode provided and we got an actual emotional scene with Squidward telling how people failed him and he is literal right about this and I actually  felt awful for him in that scene. This episode made Squidward an actual interesting character beyond SpongeBob's annoying neighbour and it gave us why we should care for a guy like Squidward. Unlike most of the (good) episodes feauring him, he wasn't some lazy slack, he actually wanted success, he tried, he failed and then he had to give up because the group couldn't work together. And we got a really heartfelt speech by SpongeBob why this is important for Squidward. I seriously love moments like this when the character stands up for another and this was such a well done scene. The moment Squidward entered the stadium, he expected failure and laughter by Squilliam but he got the opposite, he achieved his goal to become successful and special and SpongeBob and everyone else helped him. Sweet Victory song will never get old because the climax was well earned and even if it's not exactly a song that fits for SpongeBob, it was still epic. And the ending gave me a big satisfying smile for Squidward. Now I can understand why this would be called overrated. Sweet Victory song and the line "is mayonnaise an instrument" overshadhow the rest of goodness of the episode imo. The episode had an actual depth and meaning to it. It was more than just a comedic episode. It was a well done character study for Squidward. I could also understand that the episode focused more on the story than the humor but the humor was also great for me. While this may not be my favorite episode of the show anymore, It's still one of the best episodes of the show period.

Halibut: There are many reasons why I adore Band Geeks, and why I eventually realized it is my favorite episode of all time after giving up on trying to be interesting. There's no way I can form an essay about it so I'm just gonna make a list.

1. This is a very nostalgic episode for me. It is by no means a new development that I adore it so much. I've held it very near and dear to my heart since before I was a grade schooler, and that attachment will always cover the episode in a thick layer of pure comfort and happiness.

2. I'm biased towards its subject matter. I'm a band guy at heart and I absolutely love performing music, so if nothing else, Band Geeks hits that sweet spot for me and only made me appreciate the episode more over time.

3. This episode is an absolutely amazing look into Squidward as a character. Yes, Squidward was known as this artsy dreamer for ages by this point, but only in this episode has it come into fruition so beautifully. This is quite possibly Squidward's very best episode solely for how well-written he is and how genuinely passionate he is about making his whole vision work. Even if he didn't win in the end, I really appreciate that.

4. As I already mentioned in the previous point, Squidward won! Now this isn't the only time Squidward gets his way obviously, but this is the one time where it came off as satisfying as it could. Squidward wasn't just satisfied, he was ecstatic. He really did achieve something wonderful in this episode, and seeing him beat that stupid Squilliam is great.

5. This episode is hilarious. Not a single frame is used any less than to its absolute best. This episode is filled with absolutely perfect comedic timing, from Plankton's harmonica solo to the band playing 'loud' to everything, the episode just gets some laughs out of me, and in my opinion, 'funny' is the primary thing I look to in a good episode.

6. On the other side of the coin, this episode can be devastating. Squidward's speech where he admits defeat in this episode is one of the most truly heartbreaking moments in the entire show. It helps a lot that it comes from a character who was always an obvious underdog, so when he begins to make real progress and it begins to get crushed, it's easy to empathise with him genuinely. Anyone who thinks that kids' cartoons can't pack an emotional punch need to see this episode, bonus points being with context of how Squidward is as a character.

7. This episode just feels huge. They could've chosen not to make this episode into an every-character-in-the-show, completely bombastic masterpiece, but they did. This is less an episode and more of an event when you watch it. Not many episodes, even the best ones, have that quality.

8. The ending. Come on. I know its status as one of the greatest SpongeBob moments in history or whatever can get tiring, but I firmly believe that it's the case. As a matter of fact, everything from Squidward's "thanks for nothing" speech gets my heart pumped. SpongeBob's speech is great and it just keeps building up afterwards until Sweet Victory. It's the very best ending in the show's history. It kicks infinite amounts of ass, and beyond that, Squilliam truly feeling defeated and Squidward knowing that he one, mainly with the very last frame. My god. It feels euphoric just talking about it.

Overall? This episode, like I said, is an event. Many episodes give me enjoyment, but not a single one up to this level. From the title card to Squidward's freezeframe at the end as Sweet Victory fades away, this episode is a journey from start to finish. Just about everything good about this show, especially everything that led up to this, is showcased. The show's sense of humor, its worldbuilding, its characterization, and its genuine emotion are all kicked into high gear in this episode. There's a reason this episode has its reputation, and it is what it is: my favorite episode of all time.

Wumbo: I'm not gonna be able to add much to the fine gentlemen above me, because they said it all. I'll just say that this episode was my #1 too at one point, and even 5+ years ago it was chastised for being overrated. I think if an episode can survive for this long consistently near the top of the list, it must be doing something right. Again, just look above. This episode boasts a wonderful story, introduces to us the hilarious character of Squilliam Fancyson, and is absolutely peppered with classic moment after classic moment. To all the naysayers: watch it again with fresh eyes if you can. This episode truly is something special.

[Sweat]

this episode sucks dont watch it

[So Sejima]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2uQ76qrlK78

Band Geeks never stood out as anything special to me. There are good jokes like the flag twirlers and Squidward saying they should play so quietly nobody hears them, but my apathy towards this episode can mostly stem from one thing. For a climactic song, Sweet Victory evokes nothing from me. It's just a decent rock ballad that is nothing special whatsoever, and for that to be the big ending that finally has Squidward win left me underwhelmed given that it's just an inserted track when the show is fully capable of making great original songs. Yes, Squidward finally gets his moment, but the execution was just not as thrilling for me as I wanted it to be.

[almy]

still think this is a bit overrated, albeit not as much as i did a few years ago. surprised it's not 1 though, maybe i forgot another obvious choice or something

[BeachBob95]

Today, I watched the episode myself. I hadn't seen it in many years, because I was under the impression that I had seen it too many times and it got too much praise. For a long time it just felt like an overrated episode. Then it got me thinking, I do remember it being a phenominal episode back in the day when I was in elementary school. Everybody was talking about it. So I decided to give this episode another chance and tried watching it without a bias interfering with the enjoyment. Well.. The ending made me actually tear up, in a good way. And I will leave it at that. Spot number two is very well deserved in my opinion.

Edited August 5, 2018 by BeachBob95

[Less_SpongeBob]

Kill the suspense Wumbo we all know #1 is Chocolate with Nuts. 

[WinterArcanine]

Actually I'm pretty sure Pet Sitter Pat is #1. 

[RD Rockruff]

I already know what the next episode on the list is. We all do. Both of them make the top of the list each year, with the sole exception being when KKTV made the top of the list that one year. While I don't think this episode is too overrated, it's just not the top episode in my eyes. I mean, while Band Geeks is a good episode and far from being bad at all, it just doesn't do as much as the episodes that did make my top 25. Perhaps it's top 30 but it's out of the top 25 for me.

[SpongeNicko]

There's a reason why "Band Geeks" is also #2 on my own list. It truly is a superbly crafted episode! It has so many funny moments (Such as Squidward's line "Too bad that didn't kill me!", Patrick's "Is mayonnaise an instrument?" line, and the part where Sandy and Patrick brawl. There's more but I named at least 3 great examples), a very strong story, and of course the ending song, which while not an original song, is still a great song to end the episode on, especially because it leads to Squidward winning. The episode is a pure masterpiece in every category one can think of, and I'm glad it's #2 on the countdown just like it was #2 on my list.

[Wumbo]

1 hour ago, More said:

Kill the suspense Wumbo we all know #1 is Chocolate with Nuts. 

you're a fun person

[Joe Biden]

whatever the #1 episode is, i hope it's an adam fishman episode

[SpongeNicko]

2 hours ago, More said:

Kill the suspense Wumbo we all know #1 is Chocolate with Nuts. 

Nah, it's gonna be dpongebob longpants .

[Wumbo]

To prolong the suspense even further, before we REVEAL OUR NUMBER ONE EPISODE tomorrow, here are some honourable mentions! Episodes that scored 50 points or higher but didn't quite make the cut.

Spoiler

 

Help Wanted, 50 points

3 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #5, Fred

Ripped Pants, 50 points

3 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #4, TJ

Artist Unknown, 50 points

5 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #9, Wendy the Witch

No Free Rides, 52 points

3 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #2, Wumbo

Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost, 55 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #5, Trophy

Planet of the Jellyfish, 57 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #6, Clappy

The Secret Box, 57 points

5 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #8, More

Feral Friends, 58 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #2, 4EverGreen

Hooky, 58 points

4 of 32 lists. 1 #1 vote - RDSP

Wishing You Well, 58 points

6 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #3, More

Friend or Foe?, 59 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #5, jjs

and finally...

Krabs a la Mode, 59 points

5 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #4, Homie

 

Stay tuned tomorrow!

[SpongeNicko]

9 minutes ago, WumboJack Horseman said:

To prolong the suspense even further, before we REVEAL OUR NUMBER ONE EPISODE tomorrow, here are some honourable mentions! Episodes that scored 50 points or higher but didn't quite make the cut.

  Hide contents

 

Help Wanted, 50 points

3 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #5, Fred

Ripped Pants, 50 points

3 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #4, TJ

Artist Unknown, 50 points

5 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #9, Wendy the Witch

No Free Rides, 52 points

3 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #2, Wumbo

Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost, 55 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #5, Trophy

Planet of the Jellyfish, 57 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #6, Clappy

The Secret Box, 57 points

5 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #8, More

Feral Friends, 58 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #2, 4EverGreen

Hooky, 58 points

4 of 32 lists. 1 #1 vote - RDSP

Wishing You Well, 58 points

6 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #3, More

Friend or Foe?, 59 points

4 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #5, jjs

and finally...

Krabs a la Mode, 59 points

5 of 32 lists. Highest Ranking: #4, Homie

 

Stay tuned tomorrow!

 Though I dislike Wishing You Well, I'm at least glad that episodes such as Ripped Pants, Artist Unknown, No Free Rides, The Secret Box and Feral Friends were close to making it. While the former 3 did not make my list, they are all great episodes and I'm glad to see them get some good recognition.

[OWM]

Whos ready for the undisputed champion RISE AND SHINE

50. ???

49. ???

 48. No Free Rides (HM)

47. The Camping Episode (#9)

46. Frankendoodle (#10)

45. SB-129 (#28)

44. ???

43. Missing Identity (#32)

42. Krabs a la Mode (HM)

 41. ???

 40. ???

 39. ???

38. Sailor Mouth (#22)

37. Pizza Delivery (#14)

36. SpongeBob Meets the Strangler (#29)

35. ???

34. ???

33. ???

32. Just One Bite (#21)

31. Clams (#41)

30. ???

29. The Secret Box (HM)

 28. ???

 27. Idiot Box (#16)

26. ???

25. Dying for Pie (#3)

24. Big Pink Loser (#38)

23. ???

22. ???

21. Graveyard Shift (#8)

 20. Something Smells (#39)

19. Snowball Effect (#25)

18. ???

17. Squid's Day Off (#43)

16. Fear of a Krabby Patty (#27)

15. Krusty Krab Training Video (#4)

 14. Valentine's Day (#50)

13. ???

12. Imitation Krabs (#20)

11. Artist Unknown (HM)

10. Nasty Patty (#11)

9. Roller Cowards (#24)

 8. Life of Crime (#30)

7. ???

6. Can You Spare a Dime? (#18)

5. Krusty Towers (#19)

4. My Pretty Seahorse (#46)

3. Christmas Who? (#5)

2. Shanghaied (#7)

 1. Wet Painters (#6)

Not on List:

Rock Bottom (#49)

F.U.N. (#48)

Squidville (#47)

The Great Snail Race (#45)

The Fry Cook Games (#44)

Club SpongeBob (#42)

No Weenies Allowed (#37)

 Mid-Life Crustacean (#36)

 Survival of the Idiots (#35)

  Pranks a Lot (#34)

Plankton’s Army (#33)

 Mimic Madness (#31)

Have You Seen This Snail? (#26)

Dunces and Dragons (#23)

Welcome to the Chum Bucket (#17)

Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V (#15)

Krab Borg (#13)

The Algae's Always Greener (#12)

Band Geeks (#2)

[So Sejima]

Help Wanted: I'd never put it on but it has a good spot as the pilot so I think that honorable mentions is fair no matter where I'd rank it due to what it did and how well executed it was as a pilot.

Ripped Pants: I prefer other season 1 episodes, Ripped was just an ok episode with an admittedly nice second half.

Artist: A really good Squidward episode with him bending over backwards for the sake of SB creating art, only for that ironic ending to wrap up a great episode even though it missed my cut.

No Free Rides: I've admittedly not seen this in years but I do remember it being the second best Mrs Puff episode, only second to Doing Time. I'll need to rewatch this before making my next list.

Planet suffers from s8 atmosphere where no matter what happens, there's still some slightly dull feeling in the episode's DNA. I have no idea why but this can be found in at least 95% of season 8 episodes.

I keep forgetting that The Secret Box isnt considered one of the classics, but I do agree that it's not top 50. Patrick getting ready for a pillow fight and the best friends rings were hilarious though so I'm fine with it being an HM

Feral is the first Sandy episode I've enjoyed in a while and it was nice to see an experimental episode with The Narrator and Patchy included, but it does have some weird pacing and there's sone funnier episodes in post sequel so it missed mine.

I've never cared for Hooky and never will. There's better episodes from that season which are missing.

WYW is nice but thank Neptune it's not in the top 25 this year. That one time was just ridiculous

Foe is great but I'm not the biggest fan of the ending and unfortunately, those Patchy scenes exist and are undoubtedly the worst of the entire show. What a real shame we couldnt get an extended ep like Shanghaied or Back to the Past with no Patchy, it'd fit too given that s5 had those three ep production pairs with shorter episodes so what gives!?

Mode is a nice winter episode with a few good jokes, but those jokes arent the best of the show and from season 5 I prefer To Sing a Song, The Krusty Plate, Bucket Sweet Bucket, The Holy Rise and Shine Itself and 20,000 Patties, none of which made my list so Mode was never a consideration for me at all.

[hippythehippo]

Why didn't Wishing make it on the list? Most of the stuff near the bottom only had 4 votes, while Wishing got 6.