SpongeBob's Last Stand

"SpongeBob's Last Stand"
SpongeBob SquarePants episode
Promotional artwork for the episode detailing SpongeBob protesting to save the Jellyfish Fields.
Episode no. Season 7
Episode 8 (134)
Directed by Andrew Overtoom (animation)
Tom Yasumi (animation)
Aaron Springer (storyboard)
Alan Smart (supervising)
Written by Aaron Springer
Steven Banks
Derek Iversen
Produced by Paul Tibbitt (supervising)
Featured music "The Jellyfish Song"
"Give Jellyfish Fields a Chance"
Original air date April 22, 2010 (2010-04-22)[1]

"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. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on April 22, 2010, in celebration of Earth Day.

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. On March 16, 2010, the episode became available on DVD.

Plot summary

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 a "super highway" will be built through Jellyfish Fields to allow people to get around. Believing that the highway will pollute and ultimately destroy Jellyfish Fields, SpongeBob resolves to prevent the highway's creation.[2]

SpongeBob asks Mr. Krabs for assistance, but he supports the highway, believing that it can bring more customers to the Krusty Krab. SpongeBob then shows Mr. Krabs the highway's blueprint, which shows that the highway with concrete columns 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 is outraged at this revelation and decides to support SpongeBob. They both go to the Chum Bucket and ask Plankton to not develop the highway, but he states that the rest of the town has already unanimously voted to build the highway.[2]

Refusing to give up, SpongeBob and Patrick peacefully petition to stop the highway. Nobody listens to them, however, and they are quickly exiled for their actions. Soon afterwards, they see a parade meant to commemorate the groundbreaking of the highway. The highway is rapidly built and, as SpongeBob predicted, it turns Jellyfish Fields into a wasteland.[2]

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 finally give Plankton the Krabby Patty formula. Mere seconds before he does, however, the jellyfish from Jellyfish Fields invade Bikini Bottom and start attacking civilians. 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 destroys the pavement and the columns of the highway. Plankton, who thinks his highway is unremovable, tries to save it but gets run over. Jellyfish Fields is restored instantly to its natural state.[2]

Production

"SpongeBob's Last Stand" was written by Aaron Springer, Steven Banks, and Derek Iversen. Springer also served as storyboard director.[3] Animation direction 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,[1][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 on 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][24] This was intended to be the series finale, the second after The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.

Reception

According to the 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 have] 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

The episode drew criticism from conservatives, who argued that Nickelodeon was promoting environmentalism through this episode.[29]

References

  1. 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. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Andrew Overtoom and Tom Yasumi (Directors) (March 16, 2010). SpongeBob's Last Stand (DVD). United States: Nickelodeon.
  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. 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. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  6. 1 2 McLean, Thomas J. (April 6, 2010). "SpongeBob Makes last Stand for Earth Day". Animation. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  7. ↑ "SpongeBob SquarePants Goes Green for Earth Day". Ugo. April 7, 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. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  9. 1 2 Dougherty, Robert (April 17, 2010). "SpongeBob Last Stand Game Ties into Earth Day Special". Yahoo!. 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. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  12. ↑ Basile, Nancy (April 22, 2010). ""SpongeBob's Last Stand" Tonight". About.com. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Nickelodeon Celebrates Earth Day With 'SpongeBob's Last Stand,' Themed Programming 4/22". Broadway World. April 5, 2010. 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. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  18. ↑ "SpongeBob's Last Stand". EzyDVD. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  19. ↑ Miller, Gordon S. (December 17, 2011). "DVD Review: SpongeBob SquarePants – Complete Seventh Season". Blogcritics. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  20. ↑ "SpongeBob Squarepants: SpongeBob's Last Stand DVD Available Today!". Must Have Mom!. March 16, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  21. 1 2 Gosney, Shannon (March 26, 2010). ""Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Last Stand" DVD Review". The Mommy-Files. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ Jane, Ian (December 16, 2011). "Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete 7th Season". DVD Talk. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  24. ↑ Rode, Josh (December 11, 2011). "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete Seventh Season". DVD Verdict. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  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. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  26. ↑ Mavis, Paul (March 18, 2010). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Spongebob's Last Stand". DVD Talk. 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. 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. ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/spongebobs-firing-sparks-political-debate-652727
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