3. Valentine’s Day – season 1, episode 16a:
Catching this episode on TV is difficult, because it usually only airs seasonally. But when it’s on, it’s always worth the watch. Basically – in Valentine’s Day, Spongebob and Sandy have a surprise Valentine’s Day gift for Patrick, and when their secret plan is disrupted and Patrick thinks he isn’t getting any presents, he goes on a rampage (“Attention everyone, there’s a chubby, pink starfish on the loose!).
Patrick destroys a Valentine’s Day carnival, attacking children, yelling primally and destroying every heart in sight. Pretty dark stuff, right? “Heart on stick must die!” he exclaims as he attempts to knock down a carnival ride filled with children, feeling no love from his best friends. As grim as it is, Patrick’s violent pity party is really funny, and you know that the truth will make him feel better in the end anyway.
Airing during season one, Valentine’s Day was one of the first Patrick-centric episodes, and it’s certainly one of the best. Its infrequent airing makes the episode that much more prized in our hearts, and Spongebob prancing around with little heart-shaped gifts is enough to warm even the blackest soul.
