Why Do Some Squid Torture Episodes Fail? [Square Theory]

[@isetmfriendsofire]

See, Squidward used to get grouchy for reasons that weren't as warranted. He seemed like a grumpy character. How he gets mad for pretty much all complete reasons, and he now seems like one of the only normal characters in the show.

[@WEIRDGLASSESSHOWisawessome]

+PIEGUYRULZ These are some of the worst episodes.

[@rondmusic6323]

Excellent way of putting it. Squidward's anger is a lot more funnier than him being sad. Also Spongebob used to be less annoying when bothering squidward. Spongebob used to be a trickster and Squidward was a grump. Now it's Spongebob be a stalker and squidward being a victim

[@Hoopryfien]

True

[@familybroakajonny]

“I can’t seem to get happy. Maybe this will help”

[@ToxPhy]

The early seasons didn't have Squidward torture episodes. They had Squidward karma episodes. In Club Spongebob for example, he makes fun of SB and Patricks club and the magic conch, so he doesn't get any good luck like the others.

[@Skeleton4499]

I fail to see how those aren't torture episodes. They're episodes about Squidward getting tortured, the only difference is that he deserves it here, but someone deserving to be tortured doesn't stop it from being torture.

[@nicklespale22]

agreed. tho I _do_ see the differences of the two. the fairest old episode for squid to me now, and this is contrary to my thoughts as a kid, is squidville. It's the most liberated you'll ever find him. To me it was different when I was young because for whatever reason I thought spongebob and patrick still "win" in the end because spongebob points out that the squidward they saw couldn't be the real one because they were being stupid for not knowing and if they did know it was him they'd probably be laughing at him anyway for doing what he was (idek). But now, obviously, they were the fooled to not know that was squidward and there hunt would be a failure because they would never find him where they were looking. I can rest knowing that the entire episode was a "win" for squidward, because he finally moved out after becoming fed up with spoingebob and patrick's "actual fault" screw up (hence spongebob's face at "continue living where I do now," the apology cake, etc.). The second closest thing to this was probably Snowball Effect which could've been more in favor of squidward if sponge and pat hadn't chickened out from the snowball fight, that they started, but at least squidward was having fun. I think third would either have to be idiot box, because he finally figured out the box (sorta) while getting rid of it at the expense of some torture (no), or dying for pie because he feels he was able to put aside his hatred to make the last moments of sponge's life meaningful (even if just for a moment, he was true to himself) and everyone died in the end anyway lol. Or maybe even the pizza episode because he feels bad for the one he suffered a journey with, even through all the yelling at spongebob, he was able to come to terms at the end with the trip finally being over and helped it get delivered when the customer was rude to them both and undermining everything they'd went thru just to get the pizza to him, even denying spongebob to ever ONCE think of the customer, he was even ready to make the whole journey back with spongebob to get home. And everything worked out for the better in the end anyway... at the expense of his aching tentacle XD

[@zombies4evadude24]

@@Skeleton4499 you may have phrased it wrong but in some of these karma trips, Squidward barely does anything relatively close in severity of what he did. Like did he really deserve to get blown up by saying “Don’t say anything Squidward, remember your karma.” On the flipside, there are times where Squidward lovers downplay the jerkiness of what he does. For instance in Artist Unknown, Squidward frequently gaslighted Spongebob into thinking his art was terrible, only to steal his art to gain the fame and success that was owed to him. This certainly more than deserves punishment, as Squidward’s intentions were selfish, petty, and just plain evil. The ending wasn’t even enough for Squidward cause he didn’t even know the same thing happened to him so it’s not satisfying at all, yet people still say it’s a Squidward Torture P0rn. Hypocritical much, considering many episodes with Squidward Torture in them don’t even go that far to psychologically manipulate him, and are often hated more than Spongebob Torture episodes that do both, especially in the Pre-Movie era. The only ones I see get a substantial amount of hate is Gone and Spongehenge, and even then those aren’t that much more mean spirited than Artist Unknown and Krabby Land.

[@locomotivetrainstation6053]

Jellyfishing is a squidward torture

[@familybroakajonny]

I can see why a few people don’t like Club SpongeBob…but personally I just find it more charming than anything and that’s why I love it

[@MalescoM]

Most of the same things could be said about Meg from "Family Guy". In the earlier seasons she was just the least memorable or interesting of the Griffins, so it would be easy to tease her (Kind of like Jerry from Parks and Rec or Toby from The Office), NOW they just torture her in ways too extreme, and worst of all, in order to keep the Status Quo, she LETS herself be abused to keep the family together.

[@SuperLordGaming]

Mairead Malesco Seahorse Sea Shell Party? I seriously hate the name of that episode.

[@MalescoM]

SuperLordGaming Read where they got the idea for it.

[@remylabeau5140]

That episode had the potential to be the most satisfying episode of FG for me until the very end

[@pinkduskstone1543]

Darrien Harris Well, Meg is no better either, because of her yandere (literally crazy for love) tendencies in episodes like "Barely Legal" and "Friends Without Benefits."

[@remylabeau5140]

I see what you mean, but I feel like if Meg was shown any love from her family she wouldn't have those "crazy for love" tendencies to begin with

[@jonathankent1517]

In episodes like "The Thing", SpongeBob and Patrick come off (to me anyway) as the equivalent of those high school bullies who pretend to be friends with the lame unpopular kid (Squidward) just so they can torment them or the bullies that make it out so that the lame kid gets in trouble for things he didn't do. The difference is shows like that will usually have the bully be the bad guy and they'll get their comeuppance in the end; in _SpongeBob_, the bullies are the ones we're expected to be rooting for and always come out on top.

[@lessismore8533]

Very good point. But even good willed characters (like Patrick) have been antagonists in certain episodes and that's fine as long as it's done right. Unfortunately in The Thing, SB and Pat had NO reason to mess with Squidward..and still came out on top in the end.

[@squidwardtentacles7736]

Ugh this brings back unpleasant memories

[@imdead5479]

You have my smpathys.

[@s.nifrum4580]

Squidward Tentacles You have my sympathies I also have someone like that around constantly I mean it was acceptable at one point because he kept it to a minimum at first but now he's just the ultimate combo of spongebob and Patrick and you even got the I don't give a shit nature of mr krabs on top of it It sucks doesn't it our desire to overcome bullshit makes us feel alive and makes us feel human, squid, octopuss whatever I'm supposed to say at this point but in the end there is some bullshit walks we can't break the wall just keeps breaking us I mean you know how I deal with it? I sleep yes that's all I can do anymore just go to sleep and dream of when I was a kid fully unaware of the bullshit that lay ahead of me Sucks doesn't it

[@abigailvanlangen4078]

Sorry for everything you go through. I wish you could move away from SB and Pat. 1 like=one prayer for Squidward

[@th3rasave]

Squidward Tentacles Sorry about that, man...

[@lowqualityvideos8091]

F

[@audreytheausllyologist502]

I feel sorry for Squidward in the modern episodes. Not only does he have a job he hates with a boss who barely even pays him at all but he has to constantly put up with two annoying dipshits who do nothing but harass him and psychologically torture him.

[@usermcskull4713]

Gabriel he attempted it

[@usermcskull4713]

***** It was in ''are you happy now?''

[@usermcskull4713]

***** he was depressedso he probably was

[@Sasu123456789x1]

ikr

[@usermcskull4713]

Also Squidward is evil in little yellow book you'll despise him after that episode

[@PBMusiko]

Its sad that the only real victory Squidward had was in the episode "Band Geeks". The ending to that episode is probably the best and most memorable moment in the entirety of the show's existence, and they haven't once seemed to try to replicate it in another episode. On second thought . . . that's probably a good thing.

[@TheChosenMoose01]

Actually he won in house fancy as well.

[@crazychick96100]

PBMusiko I disagree. Not just Band Geeks, but there is a decent episode called Suction Cup Symphony. I like some of the jokes and Squidward actually wins! It feels awesome!

[@locomotivetrainstation6053]

Suction Cup Symphony and Mandatory Music

[@CountvonStaffordofVirginia1607]

Naughty Nautical Neighbors is another good example of how to torture Squidward, since it was his own hubris that caused the problem.

[@TheChosenMoose01]

CoastGuardBrony1 that, squilliams returns, club spongebob, and lost mattress are all good examples of this.

[@TheChosenMoose01]

@Simpossible Yessir! The Lost Mastress is a hilarious episode.

[@TheChosenMoose01]

@Simpossible lol

[@BubblingBrooke]

The Camping Episode is another good one. Spongebob and Patrick are just being themselves and not hurting Squidward in anyway, its Squidward who doesn't believe their 'nonsense' and get's his own punishment.

[@Den-pw3jt]

yeah not to mention he camped out of his own choice and spongebob and patrick helped him wherever they could (like with the circle thing)

[@saturnine41]

The contrasting emotion of Squidward in episode's like Jellyfishing to The Thing is a good point that's not mentioned a lot. In The Thing Squidward seems so defeated before anything major happened, like " Why even bother?" That even goes beyond Squidward, I remember in "Demolition Dofus" before Mrs. Puff before the final incident that caused her injury, she just sighed knowing it was pointless to resist. That just shows how self-aware the characters are that it's not an even playing field as you mentioned, where no matter how insufferable Spongebob or Patrick act, Squidward will suffer because he's Squidward. This is made all the more frustrating where in later episodes Squidward as many critique, is just minding his own business. The writers need to stop treating Spongebob as if he can do no wrong.

[@beta511ee4]

Hasn't the damage already been done? Perhaps with Season 10, the writers will look back at their various failures.

[@brettquimby3274]

Skeeter Mania Well, season 9 has already seen a big improvement.

[@MalescoM]

Brett Quimby Season 9 is just medicore, nothing special. But not horrible as season 6 or 7.

[@beta511ee4]

Synergy As far as I can tell, this was only an issue in Seasons 6 and 7. As far as Season 8, it doesn't seem to happen very often, and in Season 9, Little Yellow Book is really the only episode I can recall.

[@brettquimby3274]

Mairead Malesco You consider Patrick-Man, Tutor Sauce, Evil Spatula, Safe Deposit Krabs, Plankton's Pet, and other good ones from Season 9 to be nothing special?

[@AuraLeafstorm]

Yeah, I totally get where you're coming from. There ARE ways of making episodes like this work. Looney Tunes knew how to do it right. The character in question has to do something to deserve what's coming to them, as their "punishment" will likely be directly related to the character flaw they exhibit. As an example of this rule, it can be funny to see a flawed character be thrust into an uncomfortable situation in which they must be forced to change their behavior or outlook in order to adapt, but suffer because they choose not to admit to the error in their behavior. That way, their suffering is mostly self-inflicted, and we laugh because we know it's their own fault. It's karma. External forms of punishment can be funny too, like slapstick. But, if the character did nothing, or if the thing they did wasn't bad enough to warrant the punishment they received, then it's not nearly as funny, if at all. It's okay to feel a little bad for the character, but when the audience experiences more pity than humor, you're not doing it right.

[@AuraLeafstorm]

Superman13195 Hm, fair enough. It's not like I said there couldn't be exceptions to the rule. That cartoon was visually interesting and creative because it created slapstick from the very concept of cartooning.

[@yumamukami6091]

firmly grasp it!

[@azurai3934]

Firmly grasp it.

[@courtemanche437]

Firmly grasp it in your hand. Firmly grasp it. FIRMLY GRASP IT!

[@yumamukami6091]

courtemanche437 *breaks hand*

[@courtemanche437]

*screams in agony*

[@yumamukami6091]

courtemanche437 that outta do it.

[@proton8689]

There's also the cartoonish quality. Someone getting hit with an anvil, and their face sort of squishes like play-do is funny, and the character is often more annoyed or completely fine the next scene. But if their nail gets ripped off while they scream in agony, that's disturbing

[@datguyyo]

As a kid, I didn't like "Jellyfishing" because of how I thought they unnecessarily torture Squidward, but looking at some of more recent episodes, I can appreciate it for how tame it was compared to those later episodes.

[@CrasherTxT]

I felt the same way about the episode where patrick's parents visited and basically shit on spongebob the whole episode.

[@Hoopryfien]

CrasherTxT and then in the end it's revealed that they're so stupid they forgot they didn't have a son

[@user-sp2jg9rx8r]

@@CrasherTxT Glad am not the only one who hated that episode... Patrick is a jerk in that one. I also hate "Little yellow book" it's a episode where Squidward makes fun and bullying Spongebob.

[@johnsantos507]

@@CrasherTxT You're talking about I'm with stupid. People say that I'm with stupid is a good episode.

[@metademetra]

I don't want another episode where his torment is justified; I want an episode like Band Geeks where he wins. Where he can call Spongebob, Patrick, and the townspeople out on their bullshit and end up on top. Or where he creates some art that gets praise in the end. Hell I wouldn't even mind if an episode ended with Squidward on a date. Just as long as he isn't in ANY horrible physical/emotional pain.

[@ultimatesonic7]

You know, there was actually an episode where Squidward falls in love and ends up getting a date in the end! Sorry if you go to watch the episode and I just spoiled it, but there was that attempt made at one point. Unfortunately, I don't remember the episode name, but I'm sure you'll be able to find it. There was also an episode I think, where people actually liked his music in a concert? I can't remember exactly, but I remember also watching something similar to that effect.

[@metademetra]

ultimatesonic7 ....Interesting....

[@brittanydavisghiblieaglesfan]

"After that, SpongeBob and Patrick teleport themselves into Squidward's house and annoy him by asking all these stupid question when he is trying to watch TV." I agree with that. They were asking stuff like, "Is Kelpy G the bad guy?" and "How come Kelpy G is so emotional?".

[@kaijukid1443]

The thing that made episodes like Naughty Nautical Neighbors and Pizza Delivery work was that Squidward DID THINGS to warrant the pain he got. In the former episode, he broke up Spongebob and Patrick's friendship for his own amusement, and in the ladder, he was too lazy to do his job and he wouldn't listen to Spongebob. So the pain he got later on in those episodes was funny because he deserved to get his comeuppance.

[@jaelie8398]

And in Pizza Delivery we get to see him have a change of heart and even get a little rewarded at the end

[@DNASigil95]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed Patrick intentionally forcing Squidward to sit down in 'Cephalopod Lodge.'

[@TheChosenMoose01]

DNASigil95 also how did they get into the lodge? Did the guard let them in?

[@PickleRicksFATASSCOUSIN]

@@TheChosenMoose01 yes

[@PieMoe]

my biggest issue with a lot of squid torture porns is the general lack of antagonizing that squidward does to deserve it. he really seems like more of an every man than the early stuff, plus more of the only sane man that i can't help but relate and feel his pain.

[@Orange_Swirl]

I remember as a toddler I saw that one episode in which Squidward's toenail was being unintentionally taken off by Spongebob. That moment made me cringe.

[@pinkguy5537]

Orange Swirl i made the mistake of looking it up

[@vaultrant2499]

Profile pic depicts my reaction perfectly

[@orangekid7870]

Oh god you're bring back flash backs.

[@orangekid7870]

+Ben Paul bringing*

[@tochukwunnabuko9514]

9:33 Like in "No Pictures Please" I laughed so hard when Squidward got angry at Patrick and the tour guide and kicked them out of his house.

[@metamaster5469]

The Thing is honestly horrifying. Just the concept of being encased in cement and how terrified and miserable Squidward is all throughout...

[@SuperGamer61499]

You know man. You're really intelligent Pieguyrulz. And I think you make a ton of sense with the Square Theories. Besides you actually go into detail with the differences. I actually like your content more than the Mysterious Mr. Enter's work. But yeah good job man I am glad I am a subscriber of your work.

[@Timmytimmy123123]

7:49 Holy crap, that imitation was amazing!

[@LilyBannel]

Squidward is a character that is interesting to see during spongebob's run. Your analysis was very thoughtful and made excellent points. I enjoy it more when karma gets Squidward or his own hubris. Also one thing I would like to mention is that there are times in the early seasons when he is tortured severely but it is off screen and furthers the plot. That episode where Spongbob gets a pet jellyfish (Jellyfish Jam) and Squidward fights the jellyfish by playing his clarinet because they play the music too loud and too long. He gets stung and you only hear his screams. Only when he comes to Spongebob's house does the audience see the aftermath of what they did and that is the last straw for Spongebob that convinces him to kick them out. I think if the creators want to keep torturing Squidward at least have it advance the plot or invoke sympathy from other characters. That's all and sorry for the long post.

[@Den-pw3jt]

not to mention, as a good example what premovie spongebob did different, is that in your jellyfish example squidward gets warned by spongebob to not play his music the way he does, but squidward still does plays his music (with music boxes as well) to piss them off, which makes him getting attacked by them make more sense not to mention spongebob was pissed at them for attacking squidward (and spongebob himself has gotten hurt by the jellyfishes in the episode as well)

[@Me-dr9dv]

When I first saw "The Thing" when I was a kid, it made me upset. I wasn't crying or anything, but something just felt wrong when watching Squidward be treated as badly as he was. I didn't get it back then, but I totally understand why now. I feel like I, in a nutshell, became Squidward... 🤓

[@ksmart1235]

Yep I remember that episode and I hate it too I never want to see that episode ever again, I think that was the worst episode of Season 4.

[@jeremyknight1904]

I agree, in the old episodes, squidward was a bit of a jerk, and he got what was coming to him, but now it feells like Spongebob and Patrick are on some kind of mission to make squidward's life a living hell, also the citizens of Bikini Bottom are just as bad as the people are in Springfield on the Simpsons. I also feel like Plankton is no longer a threat in the series, he's become a joke and is constantly upstaged by Mr Krabs, it's like the same thing with Dr Eggman from the Sonic games were he always gets monsters to kill sonic, but the monsters trick him and hee/hshe wants to rule the world by himself/herself and not have a fat scientis ordering him/her around,

[@SeaStarTea]

I would love to take a Sitcom Studies class! :D

[@epicpizzasapien]

Wow, very insightful! I had never thought about the reasoning for Squid's involvement in the plot, or how it affected how good an episode is. One episode that comes to mind after watching this video is "Giant Squidward." While he is forced into the whole situation because of Spongebob and Patrick's shenanigans, I found the episode quite funny because of Squid's reactions. He was angry most of the time, and he was not afraid of Spongebob and Patrick. Plus, I always thought that part when the citizens asked him if he was Squidward and he said "uhh I'm a landpost" was super hysterical. Like, it's so obvious, but since they don't know what they're looking for, they run past him lol.

[@PIEGUYRULZ]

I may not totally agree with that, but yeah angry frustration is way funnier than sad frustration. I can see why you'd like the episode :)

[@EAFan299]

***** you pie guy rule!

[@Akus4ever]

For me, Giant Squidward had the potential to be good but the jerkiness of the townspeople completely ruined it. This is the same reason I could never grow to like The Sponge Who Could Fly

[@epicpizzasapien]

Akus4ever Understandable. It's been a few years since I've seen the episode, I'd probably think the same thing if I saw it again.

[@spencergage95]

Jellyfishing was actually the first episode I watched. Well, the first full episode, I can vaguely remember catching the end of the one where SpongeBob shrinks everyone with Mermaidman's belt, but I feel like that didn't count. I was so young that I didn't understand that Squidward was being sarcastic when he said "I'd LOVE to go jellyfishing with you guys!". And there was actually ONE thing I liked about the Thing. Squidward is basically free, and gets to listen to jazz for the rest of his life! Unless he was forced to leave when it was found out that he wasn't a cement-Pikmin-creature.

[@user-tr5gu8lt8q]

Pikmin XD

[@shadic1988]

And then there’s Season 6 where they kick up the Squidward Torture to a new level.

[@KirbyMario12345_939]

At 10:17 you pretty much described the T&J clone called Herman and Katnip, the cartoon which inspired Itchy and Scratchy because of how one-sided it is. You're supposed to see Herman (the mouse) as heroic, but a lot of the time he just acts like a jerk to Katnip, who never ever wins, so it's basically similar to this. T&J is like a set of good Squid Torture episodes, and H&K is like a set of bad ones.

[@michaellovely6601]

This video reminds me of a video made by WatchMojo titled "Top 10 Worst Things That Happened to Squidward." 10.) Fired from his own TV show. 9.) Having his nose ink harvested for Patrick's lemonade stand. 8.) Being trapped in cement. 7.) Head go boom boom-itis. 6.) Losing his perfect Sunday forever. 5.) Sentenced to boating school. 4.) Squid-Bob Tentacle-Pants. 3.) His morbid depression. 2.) His "visit" with SpongeBob. 1.) His "best day ever."

[@selinnazsur2328]

Squidward is a lovable and memorable character. He's a jerk, but to be honest he's very relatable to a lot of us because of his constant struggle with life and making his dreams come true. He doesn't deserve being abused like this, this is in no way funny, it just makes me angry at whoever that wrote those episodes. And I haven't even actually watched those. Also the ones where Squidward ends up liking what Spongebob and Patrick do are actually some of my favorite episodes. I loved Idiot Box, it showed him as a person I'd genuinely want to hang out with. His joy when he figured out that imagining the racecar actually worked was amazing. Deep down he is just a guy who wants to enjoy life and be happy, but his intelligence and overall hopelessness hold him back.

[@obakethesincere1557]

Great video, PieGuy. I like how you are able to delve into such detail about episodes, and why it is they do or don't work.

[@JohnReviews]

Very good analysis PieGuy. Well done

[@CyberB07]

*That* was a great vid and analysis ^_^ I hope your teach sees and likes it~ (Hope the writers of the show see it too: Karmic punishment = funny | Torturing a helpless/terrified victim = NOT ) ((And yes ^^ The Honeymooners was pretty funny; Alice was just so snarkilicious!))

[@OldworkbyEmmaCRB]

I just watched The Thing and it looks like Squidward was atleast a little bit of a "jerk" towards Spongebob & Patrick (not as much as he was in old episodes but still), like hearing them having fun outside and yelling at them when they probably didn't even know he was trying to watch TV. As for him getting "revenge" he DID throw the ball back at Patrick and went over to him angrily like he was about to attack him at which point Patrick calls animal control about a "wild animal" Just wanted to point those things out, I do agree that the old episodes were better...

[@christianbuffum-robbins8904]

I love these videos. You do a really good job of analyzing these things!

[@edgyerica4823]

Sometimes the writers just go too far to make you uncomfortable and to take the piss out of Squidward. The biggest example I can think of is Squid's Visit. I hate that episode with a passion...

[@youdontknowsponge6218]

In most of the modern episodes SpongeBob and Patrick are replaced with two different characters called ScumBob and Patjerk.

[@cartoonstar51]

Excellent video, Pieguy! Great comparisons and very valid and interesting points, I had never thought about Squidward's actions and emotions in the episode being essential to what makes a "Squid Torture Episode" good or bad. This gives me a whole new perspective. I don't know if you're gonna end up seeing this comment, but I'm Owen, and I'm a really big animation fan. I wanna become an animator/storyboard artist/character design when I get older, and I even have my own animated show in the works, which I'm hoping will get picked up by some network someday and be a hit, or at least well-received. I've been watching your videos for some time, and I must say, they are excellent! You have a unique and interesting perspective on what makes TV show episodes good or bad, and sometimes, your criticisms on some of them fit what always bothered me personally about the episodes to a tee, which I don't often see. I particularly watch your SpongeBob reviews and Bottom of the Bakery videos, but I've also stumbled upon other videos on your channel about shows like Adventure Time. These are probably some of the most balanced, well thought-out reviews I've seen on KZbin (at least from my perspective). Keep em coming, man! :-)

[@PIEGUYRULZ]

Owen Maki Thanks Owen! I really try to always balance my reviews, and give credit where credit is due. I appreciate the well thought out comment, and I hope you enjoy the videos I have coming up! :D

[@Jayjar100]

You should do Every Fairly Oddparents Episode Reviewed like you do with Spongebob

[@DeadlyAlienInvader]

That I do agree, especially since I stop watching the fairy oddparents after around..... whatever season where they show the third Timmy/Jimmy crossover special.

[@Jayjar100]

And if he does do it, he should call the bad episodes ScumFOP. The Special you are talking about is at the end of season 5 by the way.

[@thediddiliestneighborino168]

For me, I officially stopped when they introduced "Poof". And don't even get me ranting about the damn dog...

[@Jayjar100]

Moke McHelloThere Yeah, Sparky is *very* annoying. And Chester and AJ really disappear in Season 9, don't they? It's almost as if Sparky zapped Timmy with a Forget-Who-Your-Friends-Are Ray.

[@mrmanpersonguy5812]

They're all Scumbob.

[@EpicJoshua314]

"The Thing" is when Spongebob started heading south, and then "The Splinter" is when the show died/became Scumbob (dishonorable mentions being Spongehenge, Atlantis Squarepantis, and Nautical Novice).

[@rikanaeru27]

Nautical Novice isnt bad the ending is doesnt bother me because its status quo like plankton gets krabby patty formula

[@mintytheshade3754]

This is off topic, but I really like your shirt here :D

[@TheMidnightOtaku]

God damn it Squidward, why can't you firmly grasp it?! XD

[@ABCDEFGH-or2eb]

Here’s some Squidward’s a Prick episodes: Grandma’s Kisses I Heart Dancing SpongeBob’s Place

[@Genin99]

Another Spongebob formula that goes with your even playing field and right side analysis is Patrick's a prick, with the episodes Suds and The Splinter. In Suds we just have Spongebob with a sponge cold and Patrick making Spongebob worse is stopped by Sandy and Dr Fishbert, Suds is a good episode because Dr Fishbert not only cures Spongebob he also punishes Patrick. In The Splinter Spongebob is in realistic pain, splinters are not only painful they're hard to get out, I'm also someone who hates sharp objects and hates handling things like rough wood without gloves and the thing that makes the Splinter more of a Scumbob then it already was is Patrick making things worse with no consequences. note: I call the Doctor Dr Fishbert because he's Dr Hibbert as a fish.

[@pinkduskstone1543]

The morality of Bikini Bottom has become Blue and Orange now, meaning that their sense of right or wrong is far different from what we are familiar with. Might as well be that way, considering they are not human characters (human being the operative word). "More pain for Squidward means more fun for me!"

[@mariahcareyslamb1223]

My least favorite Spongebob Squidward torture episode has to be A Breath of Fresh Squidward. Well first off they interrupt Squidward in his sleep and it just makes them look like stalkers,and that's not the worst part of the episode. Well Squidward gets shocked and gets a nice mentality and starts acting like Spongebob and actually starts to have success in his life. He win employee of the month and Spongebob gets all butthurt that he didn't win it. So he is somewhat getting a taste of his own medicine. Then he gets mad because Squidward is pogoing with his best friend. So he gets mad and kicks Squidward out of his own party for NO REASON. This made Spongebob look like a jerk and it led Squidward to the point of crying. See what the writers forgot(or just didn't care) was Squidward was nice throughout the whole episode so Spongebob basically yelled at an innocent and harmless Squidward. Spongebob apologized, but it just felt forced. Plus if you look back at that episode Spongebob never truly act like he was guilty he was smiling when he told Patrick he is going to apologize. Also Squidward was getting shocked when Spongebob was apologizing so he didn't hear no of it. Another problem is when Spongebob yelled at Squidward the other fish at the party never got onto Spongebob and say he was a jerk or anything. See in "The Wringer" he yelled at Patrick and the other fish got onto Spongebob. In "Breath of Fresh Squidward" the fish just continued to party and acted like nothing happened despite what Spongebob did was really mean.

[@TheChosenMoose01]

I know. The worst part is SpongeBob becomes Squidward and vice versa. I would have loved to see Patrick tell sponge bob off.

[@TheSithAvenger]

Good video. I really never thought about that more than if an STP episode is bad only because he wasn't a jerk and is treated unfairly. Where a good Squidward torture episode is when Squidward is being a jerk and deserves his consequence. Thanks for the many great details you made. One KZbin video made by SuperMarioLogan called Chef Pee Pee's Mistake is where Chef Pee Pee accidentally hits a dog while driving at night. Then Chef Pee Pee feels guilty about murdering the dog but he tried to convince himself that the dog may be a criminal and that he saved the day. Bowser Jr goes out and finds the same dog Chef Pee Pee ran over which might as well be the dog's spirit disguised as his alive self. When Chef Pee Pee sees it he gets scared and Jr thinks he's going crazy when he tells him he ran him over. Then the dog follows Chef Pee Pee everywhere trying to drive him crazy, which made him realize that it may want revenge. So he tells the dog to run him over with the car like he did, until Officer Goodman comes and sees him. The dog disappears which made Goodman believe he's going crazy and takes Chef Pee Pee to the insane asylum. Chef Pee Pee kinda deserved it because he got himself involved in the situation by murdering the dog. And also the dog was the only torture device to Chef Pee Pee. So yeah it is kinda of a similar idea to how Squidward gets treated when he does something bad.

[@lauraharris815]

I'd really like to see Squid become friends with SB and Patrick and no, it would not suck all the humor out of the show like a lot of people probably think. I can envision many hilarious scenarios of Squidward trying and sometimes failing to get along with them. And the best part is there will be actual heart there, because at the end of the day they are at least trying to get along. And in my favorite Squidward episodes, it usually does feel like both parties are at least trying to be friendly. Or, take the Great Snail Race where all three of them were competing, but not in a mean way. I could rant about this for hours but I'll leave it here ;)

[@Den-pw3jt]

yup agreed. squidward does like them deep down and they like him as well (even tho. it was mostly premovie episodes where squidward likes them) so in some ways i consider spongebob, patrick and squidward in premovie to be friends but yeah i like the episodes where they do stuff together and have fun together

[@Jimmy-bz3cw]

I feel bad for squidward.

[@johnsantos507]

Me too. Stupid Writers.

[@Skeptical_Theist]

It seems like Naughty Nautical Neighbors is a good Squidward torture episode to me. It also seems like Good Neighbors is a bad Squidward torture episode to me. It seems like the reason why Naughty Nautical Neighbors seems like a good episode to me is because Squidward does not seem to get tortured very much and because the consequences of the actions of Spongebob and Patrick seem temporary. It seems like the reason why Good Neighbors is a bad Squidward torture episode is because of Spongebob and Patrick being annoying to Squidward for more than a small bit of the episode and because the consequences for the actions of Spongebob and Patrick seem permanent.

[@jaelie8398]

Levi Reddekop Perfectly put!

[@ksmart1235]

I agree and I'm alright with the camping episode, those episodes were classic.

[@MightyMewtron]

I was watching the camping episode earlier today, and I recognized how squidward being maimed did work comedically. he brushed off the expectation that spongrbob and Patrick were right about the sea bear, spongebob and pat try their best to give him instructions but he refuses til he realizes he's gone too far, and he was being a bit of a snob earlier. his maiming was also comedically over the top and I actually laughed out loud when the sea bear attacks him for what the episode refers to as no real reason.

[@28604]

As soon as I saw your shirt I realized that I'm wearing the same one XD

[@hannahd.9169]

That restraining episode was so cathartic until Spongebob sicked Patrick on Squidward. If I were in the same situation, I'd have a restraining order against Spongebob too, but then again, it seems rather futile.

[@Cinnamon_Rolls_In_Pantry]

I feel like squid-ward torture episodes don’t work because in the old episodes, squid-ward was being punished for the mean acts he had done, like when he gets something that the other doesn’t,he’d usually shove it in others faces. But in seasons 6-9 squid-ward torture was used for a joke and it’s completely undeserved and that’s why I believe it didn’t work. In jellyfishing squid-ward was angry when he was in the cast, that’s because he was a pretty big jerk. But in the thing, squid-ward is very sad in this and feeling miserable for a joke, why, for no reason.

[@gabrielkimmet1622]

I love the way you worded everything

[@SuperWorldJumper]

Do you think you could review the Spongebob ALBUM "Best Day Ever"? It was released in the middle of season 4 and I think it is a nice gem in Spongebob history. The whole album is arranged like a radio show, which to me seemed very unique and clever. Even if you don't want to review the album, I still think you would enjoy listening to it. It's got original songs featuring all the main cast members and the songs themselves are pretty good. From Spongebob's "Employee of the Month" and Patrick's "Under My Rock" to Mr. Krab's "Fishin' for Money" and Plankton's "You Will Obey", each song is funny, entertaining, catchy, and in my opinion true to each character's personality. Give it a look see, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[@nolife6013]

Another example I think works is in examples where actual villain characters are the ones torturing Squidward but not only that they also have to make them attack everyone else. The most notable examples are Frankendoodle, It's A SpongeBob Christmas and The SpongeBob Movie. In Frankendoodle it starts off with innocent pranks from SpongeBob and Patrick but then when Doodlebob comes into the picture he starts wreaking havoc. In It's A SpongeBob Christmas it's the evil SpongeBob Robot created by Plankton who was created purely to inflict harm and chaos and even attack Santa Claus and of course in the movie it is more so to set up Plankton's evil plan of ruling Bikini Bottom as Squidward ended up being the last one to get put under Plankton's mind control buckets (Not counting King Neptune).

[@warioland523]

Yes Jellyfishing is actually funny and it makes sense too as the better episode compared to The Thing because in that episode SpongeBob and Patrick aren't necessarily evil like they are today. They are just being stupid. They are causing UNINTENTIONAL harm to Squidward. In reality they just want him to have a good day because it's his birthday. Squidward just gets into numerous accidents and like you said he gets angry and it's funny. Jellyfishing is actually funny. I am not going to lie when I say I laugh harder at the old episodes back when the show was original as opposed to the new episodes where the show is constantly struggling to come up with new material and reusing already existing ideas. I think at this point even Helenburg agrees after he came back to Nick that the damage to his work is already done and is beyond repair. All that can be done now is end the show so it can finally rest in peace. The problem with the show is simply to me a matter of subjective taste. To me the show just ran out of ideas. It did not change. It just took already existing ideas and glorified them or twisted them around to make them look "new" when they really weren't. Rather then innovate the Sponge is taking a giant leap backwards.

[@estlin2001]

Why squidward torture episodes don't work anymore. Squidward doesn't deserve the torment when it happens to him now.

[@TheChosenMoose01]

That was a SpongeBob and Squidward torture porn.

[@estlin2001]

***** Because reading a diary justifies being tortured, being kicked out of your own home, and being arrested because a cop had her diary read despite the fact it doesn't invade the law

[@theN64hermit99]

A while ago I read Animated Atrocity on deviant art a guy made for the Jellyfishing episode and it really made me wonder why I liked that episode and not ones like The Thing. But now because of this video I fully understand why those early stp episodes worked and later ones don't

[@randiharrington4637]

PieGuyRulz is so underrated! Guy, just saying!

[@BlueWolfZero]

Jolly Lodgers is definitely the point where Squid Torture turns for the better because spoiler alert: Squidward wins at the end!

[@paigemurphy7770]

These are the proof that Squidly DID curse his great etc. grandson 10 fold. 7:00 I believe he acts like a jerk so often because he's had such an unpleasant life. 10:24 It's amazing how much immutable violence are on older cartoons.

[@TytheGuy44]

It all boils down to the setup. Squidward needs to act in a manner that would warrant punishment. The writers seem to think that just because Squidward is Squidward, we should automatically expect and accept that he's going to lose. That isn't how it works at all.

[@drayyoutube5843]

Great comparison video

[@YourActualChild]

You do an amazing squidward impression

[@cibby6155]

This video actually made me realize that these type of episodes don't really even exist in pre-movie SpongeBob, it's really only "Jellyfishing" and maybe "Club SpongeBob" that does this. I wouldn't call the earlier episodes "Squid Torturė" episodes, because in a lot of them, like "The Camping Episode" or "Idíȯt Box", the episodes start with SpongeBob and Patrick just minding their own business, and the "torturė" really only starts when Squidward gets himself involved. The conflict of episodes like "Snowball Effect" and "Opposite Day" really only begins because Squidward was the one egging on SpongeBob and Patrick. Or episodes like "The Paper" or "Squid's Day Off" where SpongeBob is either just having his own fun, or is literally just doing NOTHING and Squidward is the one tȯrturing himself. Squidward is always the one starting the conflict (The Camping Episode literally starts with SpongeBob leaving Squidward alone, and then Squidward forces himself into SpongeBob's activity). In these episodes, Squidward could easily move on from whatever SpongeBob and Patrick is doing, it's not like the later seasons where SpongeBob basically forces himself into Squidward's home and won't leave, or magically teleports wherever Squidward is. I don't see it so much as "Squidward just deserves it", as much as it is just "Squidward caused all the stuff that's getting thrown at him. If he minded his own business this wouldn't be happening in the first place." It's not so much karma as it is just cause and effect. I'm not sure why fans credit these episodes as "the original sin" or compare them to the later ones, claiming them to be just as bad as the later episodes when they really only did this like once or twice in the pre-movie era. And only after "The Thing" aired did they start repeating this plot a million times. This is a post-movie sin.

[@flychick8652]

Wow. Yeah, I feel bad for him sometimes, but I think he can be a BIT brash at times! When you were talking about "That Thing", at first, I was thinking about "Cephalpod Lodge". Good points. I know you've kinda talked about it before.

[@colleensutton5661]

Yass ive been waiting for dis

[@craxnor]

There was one episode where Squidward reads Spongebob's diary. Spongebob finds out that Squidward has been reading it to other people, who have all been busting a gut laughing and knew it was someone's diary, and runs away crying and embarrassed. When that happens everyone treats Squidward like a monster, even though they were laughing at it to and he even calls them out on it, but he doesn't care and claims he'll get over it. The episode escalates to where Squidward is singularly punished for something everyone did and is being tortured. At the end Spongebob comes back and says he got over what happened, which Squidward said he would, and even published his diary as a book. But he still gets attacked because people are so offended and don't accept Spongebob's asking to forgive him.

[@LeslieFlemons]

You make really good points.

[@zbh9268]

Sitcom Studies sounds like a really awesome class. Do you have to be a film major to take that class PieGuy?

[@WillieManga]

The short answer is basically that if you wanna make Squidward getting trouble enjoyable, you should make the punishment match his crimes within the same episode. For example, it didn't work in Good Neighbors because he was punished for just enjoying his Sunday, yet it was much more justified when Squidward got inexplicably squished by a pineapple, because he was really inconsiderate when Spongebob lost his house. It's kind of a mix and match with House Fancy; he does interrupt a TV show to claim his house is better than Squilliam's, and as a consequence, he does get his foot injured... like, toenail getting ripped off - how does he even have a toenail!? Jeez, I'm sure he felt that for a while.. Luckily, he does end up victorious, so good for him, I suppose. Episodes like Band Geeks are made much more satisfying when Squidward actually blows everyone away (figuratively speaking) after Squilliam tries to humiliate him. It's a lot like with Mr. Krabbs; he isn't always without compassion, but when he does go too far, he should face some sort of consequences.

[@michaeljordan5630]

In Sponge-cano PIEGUY said that squidwards troture was justified, but a lot of people say that it goes too far. I mean squidward was arguing at everything that wasn't even toward him and stated he would rather DEAL with the volcano instead of the citizens of dumb town. but, still a lot of people said throwing him into a volcano took it too far? would it be better if everyone picked up squidwards house and threw it into the volcano, or would that be lame.

[@rigginburgess7519]

If spongebob got hurt or got punished it's not just torture but if only squidward gets hurt its torture but I've been watching your vids and they are great!!!

[@StoutShako]

ok wtf ur squidward impression is scary-accurate.

[@gabrielkimmet1622]

Squidward really was a jerk disregarding Spongebob and Patrick in Jellyfishing, but in The Thing, they just ruin his time of relaxation.

[@DjensZooi]

i love the shirt :o

[@keaton5101]

7:38 SQUIDS REACT TO: spongebob and patrick home invading him

[@sethhowell198]

+Sir Keaton careful the fine bros might sue

[@sethhowell198]

+Sir Keaton careful the fine bros might sue

[@j04370859]

Bad things happened to Squidward in the pre movie era, because he would bring it on himself, when stuff did happen to him, for no reason, like Bubble Bass throwing him around, or him exploding, when he fell off his bike, it was light hearted humour and it never looked too malicious, to the point where you felt sorry for him. Since "Good Neighbours", it just happens now because he's Squidward and he can never be happy, "Breath Of Fresh Squidward" and "Boating Buddies" are the worst.

[@masihosseini4299]

***** You can imitate Squidward's voice very good :P

[@metalmario991]

Have you ever seen the Fiassco episode with the krabby patty plate Plankton stole? I hated that episode because Squidward calls the police about the noise coming from SpongeBob's house which leads to them finding and arresting Plankton. The catch? Despite (unintentionally) helping the police Squidward gets arrested for literally no reason.

[@robertsantos8129]

metalmario991 Thats the reason you hate the episode? Yeah that part was bad, but it was so minor and not a big enough reason to hate the episode.

[@metalmario991]

I didn't like much of the rest. For me, it was kind of forgettable. As I only remember the premise and how it ended. But yeah I didn't like the episode for those two reasons; forgettable and the ending.

[@robertsantos8129]

metalmario991 I still don't think that the ending was big enough for me to dislike the episode, but I agree with the fact that it was forgettable.

[@VampireFan-rf5kb]

To be fair, there are some SpongeBob episodes where Squidward Torture Porn is justified because of his unlikability (even when SpongeBob and Patrick didn't do anything wrong to Squidward in the first place) include The Camping Episode, Little Yellow Book, Sportz?, The Lost Mattress, Naughty Nautical Neighbors, I ❤️ Dancing, A Day Without Tears, WhoBob WhatPants?, Unreal Estate, The Great Snail Race, Chatterbox Gary, and Club SpongeBob. Even in the Season 4 SpongeBob episode "Ghost Host," Squidward LITERALLY said that he NEVER likes SpongeBob TO HIS FACE.

[@kylecampbell565]

Suprised you compared Jellyfishing to the thing rather than choir boys

[@robertsantos8129]

Kyle Campbell Jelyfishing and The Thing are the most similar plot-wise though, making pieguy's point on what makes a squid torture episode work and what doesn't make it work more clear

[@Themonkeymartin]

That's because he wanted to choose 2 episodes that were similar but had some key differences that determine the enjoyability, it's like if he compared pizza delivery to choir boys, he would be comparing the worst of a season to the best of a season, so that would be unfair.

[@kylecampbell565]

Good points

[@shirleyjenlion187]

This reminds me of the episode 'my pretty seahorse' where Squidward says 'don't say anything, remember your karma' and he explodes. That was funny because it was a short gag and he's fine the next scene. But these current episodes is a really horrible 'joke' on that one short gag. -.-

[@Crazyreviewer123]

This is a great video

[@superdonbros]

I Thought this would come out after the season 7 review

[@VidyaBros1]

Very great comparisons and point of views. I completely agree with everything you said. I honestly hate how abused he gets by the universe around him constantly now. Especially the stuff you said about Tom & Jerry? Btw question. What episode of a Squidward torture porn do you hate most?

[@s.nifrum4580]

I've thought of another thing that really worked in the older episodes squidward was more annoyed than we were the audience now just hears spongebob and feel how annoyed squidward is we need to understand both of them have it affect the characters more than it affects the viewers

[@Magikalll]

Well...there's one squidward torture episode that works ''Little yellow book'' In this episode squidward is the evil,he makes spongebob cry and doesn't apologize like what happened in ''fools in april'' pepole did that too but than they realize it's spongebob's dairy So they blame squidward and good job people of bikini bottom your smart! (But also a bunch of hypocrites) ✌ EDIT: actually,there's more squidward torture episodes that work,I call those: ''deserved torture'' aka a character deserves being hurt,being treated badly,etc

[@ksmart1235]

Hate that episode with a passion, I'll take Fools in April instead.

[@Magikalll]

I hate this episode too

[@xylynthian753]

What kind of mic do you use? Do you use a USB condenser mic or something different?

[@jessicathompson2914]

This is a little unrelated but, how often do we see squidward as the voice of reason, the one standing up for others, or him making up for things he caused after the 1-3 seasons? Those episodes are some of my favorite episodes in the series, because back then squidward was a lot more dynamic of a character, and whenever they tried to display emotion, it was a lot more earned that when they tried to later.

[@user-tr5gu8lt8q]

I love your squidward voice XD

[@daliborjovanovic510]

These 2 idiots have been harassing him for 20 years, and yet in all that time, it has never occurred to Squidward that he could easily lose them by just turning himself invisible. He's an octopus, they can change their color and texture at the flip of a dime to blend in with whatever environment they're currently in. I get that Squiddy is anthropomorphized and all, but if he's shown squirting ink in several episodes, why wouldn't he also have his kin's super camouflage powers? That would make for an interesting episode.

[@adrina6727]

You know who else gets as much abuse as Squidward did in the later seasons.....daddy pig from pippa peg.