10. Krusty Love 

None of us expected Bikini Bottom’s #1 cheapskate and not-so-#1 boating instructor to actually have a romance. Yet this episode made us ship them (despite all the crap seasons 4-to-now have done with the relationship). 

We witnessed Mrs. Puff in a calmer situation where she isn’t just this stressed out teacher going mad from being unable to help one student pass. We learn she’s a woman who’s actually open-minded, and doesn’t base a guy on how much money he can spend. And the fact that she genuinely does like Mr. Krabs and thinks he’s sweet made us see the crustacean in a whole different light (before season 4 onward made us absolutely hate him). And Mr. Krabs actually SPENT his money! 

This will always be remembered as one of those earlier episodes where Spongebob had the balls to tell off Krabs. While not as ballsy as the “Can You Spare a Dime?” episode, we definitely know he’s developed a bit from “Sailor Mouth”!  

If you stopped watching Spongebob after season 3 (and I can’t blame you), Puff and Krabs are still a thing. 

9. Dying for Pie  

It’s rare for Squidward to actually care about Spongebob. But when he believes he just sealed his fate in the form of a pie, we get the feeling perhaps deep down he does view the little guy as a friend. 

Granted, real friends don’t perform open heart surgery on each other, but it’s the thought that counts! 

And Squidward really put a lot of thought into giving Spongebob the best day ever (certainly better than the episode of the exact title). 

Three things memorable about this episode: 

“You, me, and this brick wall you built between us.” 

“Hey, Frank.”

“Is this [sweater] any better, Squidward? I made this one with my tears. 

When we were kids watching this episode for the first time, how many of us cried thinking Spongebob really blew up? Of course, there’s no way it would actually happen since his name is literally in the title. But how many of us believed Spongebob may have gotten instead hurt? 

Pretty sure a lot of us cried really hard. No matter how many times we’ve watched this episode. Or how many years since this episode aired. We still cry with Squidward.  

8. Bubblestand 

From the very first season of Spongebob, it makes you just want to go to the dollar store and purchase a bottle of bubbles! 

It’s always one of those earlier episodes where Squidward had a win and wasn’t 100% a punching bag. Sure, he often got caught up in Spongebob and Patrick’s shenanigans, but NOTHING compared to the crap he deals with today. 

This was a memorable episode solely for the fact Squidward, in a moment of pride, proved he and Spongebob aren’t that different. And this is one of those rare instances where he plays his clarinet with absolute happiness and passion. Unlike later episodes where the way he plays it feels and sounds depressing. 

And also: “IT’S A GIRAFFE!”. 

7. Christmas Who? 

If the exploding pie episode gave us any hints about Squidward genuinely caring for Spongebob, this holiday special shows how much he really does have a heart. 

While he can’t stand Spongebob’s wackiness and excessive ideas, Squidward changes his tune when he realizes all the little guy wanted was to bring joy and happiness to Bikini Bottom’s first ever Christmas. 

Did you feel your heart just break when Spongebob, sad over Santa never showing up and the whole town hating him for bringing their hopes up, still gave Squidward a present? 

“I made it for you so you wouldn’t feel left out when Santa came.”  

Like damn…

And one of those rare episodes where Squidward realizes what a complete *donkey noise* he’s been to Spongebob. 

We were all pretty much grinning from ear-to-ear when he pulled the whole Santa getup, gave all his belongings as presents to the citizens, and got the thumbs’ up from Saint Nick himself in the end! 

Whether it was guilt or genuine admiration for Spongebob’s belief in Christmas, Squidward made this episode one of the best holiday specials! Hallmark couldn’t even come up with a better Christmas plot compared to this! 

6. Idiot Box  

Speaking of being on the same level as Spongebob, this episode showed us Squidward’s child-like side.  

Yes, this episode sparked that “Imagination” meme, but can we talk about how absolutely adorable Squidward was playing in the box? It makes you wonder if he secretly wants to enjoy the things Spongebob and Patrick do but he’s too much of a “grumpy grown-up” to participate. 

This episode just makes you just want to Amazon something to your house just so you can play with the box. 

5. Squidville  

We expected this kind of plot to be like a season finale dramady or maybe even a movie (which would have been a lot better than Sponge on the Run). 

Not only did this episode teach us that other “Squidwards” exist, but that our Squidward is practically a Spongebob to his own kind.  

Which cements the fact that even though he really can’t stand the sponge, he can’t stand without him. 

When he’s not so grump, Squidward proves to be a fun, playful character who questions “Why so serious?”. This is what we need to see more episodes of (and not of him being a depressed punching bag who’s resigned to life). 

The “Are you Squidward?” will never not be funny! 

4. Wormy 

And I thought The Fly movie was horrifying, this episode was able to make freaking butterflies look scary! 

But out of everything this episode offered, it’s the song that makes us keep rewatching! That followed by the montage of Spongebob, Patrick, and Wormy being a wholesome friendship. That scene alone is what makes the show so lovable even after all these years (because not all of us watched the seasons after the first Spongebob movie).

Even after 20 years, “That’s What Friends Do” remains one of the best Spongebob songs the series has ever produced. 

3. Fools in April 

Squidward coming to terms with how he can be a total dick to Spongebob shines greatly in this season 1 episode. Back when Spongebob wasn’t an overwhelming cashcow of a dumbass, and Bikini Bottom wasn’t full of psychos, this episode showed how strongly all the characters respect and care about each other. 

While April 1st is a day for pranks, it’s not funny if the prank is harmful or even traumatizing. As said by Doggie Daddy from Jellystone, created by C.H. Greenblatt (who also worked on Spongebob): 

“Fun is fun, but fun is done when someone gets hurt.” 

And boy did Squidward hurt Spongebob in this one. Sure, there was an episode from the “dark seasons” where Mrs. Puff literally tried to kill him. But in this episode, we all felt it. 

While the show is solely on wacky humor, it can get us right in the feels. In this episode, there was nothing but emotional pain, empathy, and the ability to communicate about these issues. What’s funny is how realistic this situation looks, with a total guilt-ridden Squidward trying to come to terms that this time, he’s the bad guy. 

Squidward apologizing to Spongebob, and spouting out the truth he does like him, and everyone else in Bikini Bottom, will never be forgotten. And we’ll never let him forget it either!  

2. Neptune’s Spatula 

We were too young to realize just how handsome King Neptune was. Now we’re simps. 

Not only did we get some kind of lore behind Bikini Bottom, or just fry cooking in general, this episode also proves that quality is, indeed, better than quantity. 

What is a thousand Krabby patties made so quickly compared to a single one made with patience and love? This is why cooking show episodes take 30 minutes to an hour. You really have to manage your time if you want to recreate Guy Fieri’s recipe. 

This episode also proves that despite Spongebob’s tiny stature and child-like values, he can take on a literal GOD. 

1. Band Geeks 

We all know why this is #1. 

Because it will always be Squidward’s GREATEST EPISODE. 

Whenever we find ourselves unfortunately watching an episode from season 4 onward, and it’s another of those Squidward-must-suffer ones, we come back to this. 

No episode has shown Squidward as happy and passionate as this one. And best of all, it was Spongebob who made it happen. 

When everything fell apart and Squidward just gave up, Spongebob spoke up for him. While current Spongebob is kind of cringe, let’s not forget that this is the REAL Spongebob (that Nick is still milking). Kind, compassionate, loyal, and strongly believes in people to achieve just like he believed in Squidward. 

Every time “Sweet Victory” plays, no matter how many times we rewatch the episode, we still get chills. 

That last shot of Squidward happy, overjoyed, and being his true, passionate self remains ingrained in our memories even after 20 years.  

To me, this was the TRUE Spongebob finale. 

Now I’m kind of wishing the rumor about Squidward getting a spin-off can be true...