[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/atr4expcqaerm_d.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Hey, Patrick! What am I now?"]]

'''Texas'''

'''Original air date:''' 3/22/2000 ''(produced in 1999)''

When Sandy gets homesick and decides to move back to Texas, [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick try everything to keep her from leaving.

The episode begins with [=SpongeBob=], Patrick and Sandy playing in the sand at Goo Lagoon. While the dimwitted duo make pretend with sand piles and their hands Sandy makes Texas, which [=SpongeBob=] has no knowledge of. Before Sandy can explain what “Texas” is, the sand is washed away from the tide. She walks off sadly while [=SpongeBob=] tries to cheer her up but Sandy reveals she’s feeling homesick. [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick then blindfold her and take her to her treedome but only make things worse. She begins crying, and runs off. To keep her friends out, she put up the shields to close off. Both [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick are confused until they hear Sandy singing a song from on top of her treedome about how she’s homesick for Texas (with country singer Junior Brown’s voice at the end to boot). They decide to cheer up Sandy by throwing a Texas-themed party for her at the Krusty Krab. They rush over to Sandy's house to ask her to come to the Krusty Krab with them, but it looks like they’re too late as she’s already on the bus back to Texas. [=SpongeBob=] is shocked by this, and tries to convince her to go to the Krusty Krab, but she’s made up her mind and leaves. [=SpongeBob=] is heartbroken and Patrick wonders out loud "What's so great about dumb ol' Texas?" Suddenly, the bus barrels backwards down the road as Sandy was gravely offended by Patrick's remark. When Patrick then asks if he can say that people from Texas are dumb only makes it worse… and gives [=SpongeBob=] an idea. He and Patrick continue insulting Texas, and Sandy begins chasing them back to the Krusty Krab. Patrick continuously insults Texas, thinking Sandy is too slow to catch up to them, only to soon realize that she is catching up to them and she’s '''angry'''. Sandy lassos Patrick and nearly catches [=SpongeBob=] as he hangs by a finger to the door handle of the Krusty Krab, ripping it and the rest of the front off. Sandy realizes that Bikini Bottom is her home and she’ll stay. Everyone (except Squidward) cheers and Patrick asks "Yeah, who needs dumb old Texas?" Sandy gets angry once again, and Patrick asks "Should I start running now?" as the episode ends.
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!!"Texas" contains examples of:
* BerserkButton: "Don't you '''dare''' take the name of Texas in vain!"
* BodyWipe: With Sandy, as she is chasing [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick with a lasso.
* BullyingADragon: [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick do so to Sandy to get her to come to the Krusty Krab. It worked, but that didn't stop Sandy from going into an UnstoppableRage.
* CheerUpEpisode: Sandy becomes homesick for her home state, prompting [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick to gather many of Bikini Bottom's residents to have a party to make her feel at home.
* CouldntFindATissue: During Sandy's HomesicknessHymn, one Krusty Krab customer wipes his eyes with his Krabby Patty and then lets his friend blow his nose in it. He quickly regrets it.
* DisproportionateRetribution: You insulted Texas? ''Prepare to be hog-tied and blown up!!'' It should be noted that [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick have been insulting Texas deliberately to Sandy's face and really went at it when they noticed it made her mad.
* EverybodyCries: Sandy's song about her homesickness for Texas causes a short montage of [=SpongeBob=], Patrick, Mr. Krabs, and two Krusty Krab customers bursting into tears from listening to the song.
* EverythingMakesAMushroom: Patrick gets roped by Sandy and is pulled away into the horizon, after which there is a huge mushroom cloud.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: More like Funny Foreground Event, but when everyone cheers over Sandy deciding to stay, Squidward can be seen still looking bored and annoyed.
* GoneHorriblyRight: [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick try insulting Texas so that Sandy can angrily chase them and thus lure her to her goodbye party. It's only afterward that the two realize that they've triggered UnstoppableRage in Sandy and now have to run for their lives.
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: Sandy chops the leaf stalk [=SpongeBob=] was hiding behind in half, cutting him too in the process. But, as usual, he remains alive and conscious, and puts himself back together.
* HereWeGoAgain: Patrick once again incurs Sandy's wrath by insulting Texas.
-->'''Sandy:''' ''[[TranquilFury What did you just say?]]''\\
'''Patrick:''' Should I start running now?
* HomesicknessHymn: Sandy sings a Blues song of yearning for her homeland of Texas, and it brings all of Bikini Bottom to tears.
* IShallTauntYou: To get Sandy back to the Krusty Krab, [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick deliberately press her BerserkButton. Unfortunately, it [[GoneHorriblyRight worked too well...]]
* LarynxDissonance: At the end of her song, Sandy briefly gains a deep voice courtesy of country singer Junior Brown.
* LiteralMinded: How the Bikini Bottomites interpret various Texas customs like square dancing (dancing with a square), barbeque (a Q-shaped thorn branch), and ten-gallon hats (wearing ten-gallon bottles as hats).
* MelancholyMusicalNumber: "Texas", which Sandy sings due to her being homesick.
* MoodWhiplash: "You think she knows the 'Muffin Man' song?"
* OhCrap:
** Patrick when he sees Sandy chasing after him and [=SpongeBob=].
** [=SpongeBob=] gives a bigger one when a mushroom cloud comes from Sandy's beat down on Patrick.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: As [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick continue to make fun of Texas, a close-up shows her eyes turning bloodshot red [[HighPressureEmotion as she boils with fury.]]
* SandInMyEyes: [=SpongeBob=] asks Sandy what is she crying about, and she bluntly claims she sprung a leak; [=SpongeBob=] knew she didn't.
* ShakingTheRump: To lure Sandy to the Krusty Krab, [=SpongeBob=] does this in front of her while mockingly saying "Texas".
* ShooOutTheClowns: Downplayed during Sandy's sad song. There’s a small instance of levity, where Patrick is briefly attacked by the musical notes, but he, along with everyone else, begins to cry. Immediately after the song ends, Patrick asks [=SpongeBob=] if Sandy knows the "Muffin Man" song.
* SongParody: [=SpongeBob=] does a... less-than-AffectionateParody of "Deep in the Heart of Texas" when egging Sandy on.
-->''The stars at night are dull and dim / Whenever they have to be over dumb, ol', stupid Texas!''
* SoundtrackDissonance: The scene where [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick are running for their lives as Sandy is running after them, out for their blood, is set to... peppy lap steel music.
* SpecialGuest: Junior Brown, who not only sings the last line of the song "Texas", but he also performs a Texas themed cover of the theme song over the episode's credits.
* {{Spoonerism}}: "Get a dog, li'l longie!"
* ThroughAFaceFullOfFur: Sandy angrily blushes as [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick mock Texas in front of her.
* TranquilFury: Sandy responds to Patrick insulting Texas with a calm, menacing, "What did you say?"
* UnstoppableRage: [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick's insults toward Texas piss Sandy off so much that she chases them across Bikini Bottom, furious as she has never been. She manages to capture and violently beat up Patrick and would have caught [=SpongeBob=] if he hadn't reached the Krusty Krab in time.
* VisualPun: For Sandy's Texas party, [=SpongeBob=] brought barby Qs, peas-in-a-can pies, squares (well, cubes) for square dancing with, and ten gallon hats made from gallon containers.
* WingdingEyes: Patrick gains X-eyes when he sees Sandy running towards him.
* WithAFootOnTheBus: Sandy quite literally has one foot on the bus just as [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick catch up to her and try to get her to stay, but to no avail. Of course, as soon as Patrick mentions "dumb ol' Texas," the bus ''reverses'' immediately and Sandy angrily steps off to confront him. [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick decide to egg her on in order to lure her down to the Krusty Krab for her surprise party, where she realizes that Bikini Bottom was her home and decides to stay.
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/582ed538_cb0e_4bfb_902b_bd409a48f11a.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Land development. [[FauxHorrific How preposterous.]]]]

'''Walking Small'''

'''Original air date:''' 3/22/2000 ''(produced in 1999)''

Plankton plots to use [=SpongeBob=] as an unwitting pawn to drive away the beach patrons so he can build his new Mega Bucket restaurant.

The episode starts with Plankton arriving at Goo Lagoon in his bulldozer to tell everyone to leave as he plans to make it the future site of the "Chum Bucket Mega Bucket". Seeing how he's so small, his efforts are in waste and he needs someone a lot bigger to scare everyone away. Fortunately [=SpongeBob=] nearly steps on him and Plankton hatches his plan. He'll make [=SpongeBob=] more "assertive" and force everyone to leave. When [=SpongeBob=] loses his chance to get ice cream, he finds Plankton weeping loudly on a bench. Plankton can't eat two ice creams and [=SpongeBob=] offers to eat the spare. When [=SpongeBob=] is done enjoying his dessert Plankton tells him he can get anything if he’s more "assertive". His first example is on the guy who stole his ice cream, but [=SpongeBob=] is too nice to get it back. Plankton, in [=SpongeBob=]'s mouth, threatens the eel who runs off crying. [=SpongeBob=]'s next example is Scooter, but [=SpongeBob=]'s attempts only make things better for him. Plankton gives up before [=SpongeBob=] shows he can be assertive. [=SpongeBob=] proceeds to show how assertive he is by acting like a huge jerk, all according to Plankton's plan. When [=SpongeBob=] scares everyone off Plankton shows his true colors, much to [=SpongeBob=]'s dismay, and tells him "nice guys finish last" and "only aggressive people conquer the world!" But not aggressively nice people, as [=SpongeBob=]'s generosity brings everyone back. The episode ends with [=SpongeBob=] playing volleyball with the other beachgoers... except he gets to be the volleyball.
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!!"Walking Small" contains examples of:
* AndThatsTerrible: "You used me... '''FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT!''' [-That wasn't nice!-]"
* BeTheBall: [=SpongeBob=] becomes a volleyball to replace the one he destroyed during his rampage. And surprisingly enough, he actually enjoys being smacked over the net.
* BlatantLies: When Plankton threatens the Eel with a swirling torment of pain and misery if he doesn't surrender his ice cream cone, the Eel runs off crying. When [=SpongeBob=] shows concern, Plankton tells him that the Eel was crying TearsOfJoy because Spongebob was assertive.
* BottleEpisode: The whole episode is set at Goo Lagoon.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Plankton berates [=SpongeBob=] for not being enough of a stand-up guy. [=SpongeBob=] [[LiteralMinded responds by telling a terrible joke about airline food]].
* CommunityThreateningConstruction: Plankton wants to build his new Chum Bucket Mega Bucket on the beach at Goo Lagoon. Subverted in that he's too small to be taken seriously, and his construction equipment is mistaken for toys. So he plans to drive the beachgoers away with [=SpongeBob's=] unwitting help. He also gets a full-sized bulldozer.
* TheCorrupter: Plankton to [=SpongeBob=].
* CorruptTheCutie: Plankton does this to [=SpongeBob=] over the course of the episode's second half.
* CrocodileTears: When Plankton is crying over having two ice cream cones, he briefly stops to check if he's getting a reaction out of [=SpongeBob=].
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Plankton's goals in this episode have nothing to do with stealing the Krabby Patty Formula, something that wouldn't happen again for another five seasons.
* ExtremeDoormat: [=SpongeBob=] is revealed to be this, as Plankton lampshades this.
-->'''Plankton:''' [=SpongeBob=], you'll never get what you want! [[LampshadeHanging You'll always let people step all over you! You're just like stairs!]]
** And ironically enough, [=SpongeBob=] ''is'' pretty much "stepped over" in the ending: one fish uses him as a surfboard, and then pretty much the entire beach turns him into a volleyball. Granted, [=SpongeBob=] is just making up for the damage he caused, but it still confirms that Plankton ''had'' a point.
* EyeScream: When [=SpongeBob=] starts stirring up the sands by fanning a towel, one unfortunate onlooker gets a clump of sand thrown into one of his eyes and quickly runs off tearing up.
* HailfirePeaks: The episode takes the diabolical scheming of a Plankton episode and merges it with the setting of a [[BeachEpisode Goo Lagoon episode]].
* KickTheDog: While most of [=SpongeBob=]'s aggressive acts were the result of him being [[CorruptTheCutie corrupted by Plankton]], him popping the volleyball was his own doing without any provocation.
* ALessonLearnedTooWell: [=SpongeBob=] takes Plankton's lessons to heart and becomes a massive jerk to everybody, which was all Plankton's plan.
* LiteralMinded: When Plankton makes [=SpongeBob=] confront the eel who took his ice-cream.
-->'''Plankton:''' Tell him off, [=SpongeBob=]! Assert yourself!\\
'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' That's my ice cream cone!\\
'''Plankton:''' Great! Now, let him have it!\\
'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' You can have it.\\
'''Eel:''' Say, thanks!\\
'''Plankton:''' [[BigNo NO!]]
* LoopholeAbuse: Plankton tells [=SpongeBob=] NiceGuysFinishLast and only aggressive people come out on top; then [=SpongeBob=] has an ephinany and suggests, "What about aggressively ''nice'' people?", and proceeds to undo all the damage he caused.
* ManipulativeBastard: Plankton for tricking [=SpongeBob=] into driving away all the beachgoers.
* MinorInjuryOverreaction: Harold's reaction to [=SpongeBob=] dusting sand [[EyeScream in his eyes]] is, [[RunningGag "MY LEG!!!"]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Realizing that Plankton taught him to be a jerk just to use him for land development, [=SpongeBob=] reacts this way.
* NiceGuysFinishLast:
-->'''Plankton:''' Haven't you figured it out, [=SpongeBob=]? Nice guys finish last. Only ''aggressive'' people conquer the world! ''(laughs evilly)''\\
'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' [[PlayingWithATrope Well, what about]] [[TakeAThirdOption aggressively nice people?]]
* PreemptiveShutUp:
-->'''Plankton:''' You've got to be ''aggressive'' to get the things you want! You're too soft!\\
'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' But I'm a spo--\\
'''Plankton:''' Don't say it!
* ShoutOut:
** When Plankton is seen packing luggage, among his items in [[Franchise/{{Peanuts}} Charlie Brown's shirt]].
** Plankton's "Butterfly kisses!" line is a reference to the Bob Carlisle song of the same name.
* TheSnackIsMoreInteresting: [=SpongeBob=] can't hear Plankton calling his name at first because he's ''really'' enthralled with eating his ice cream cone in the most obsessive ways possible.
* SympathyForTheDevil: At the end, [=SpongeBob=] still says he's sorry for Plankton about the Mega Bucket's collapse. Plankton complains he's not so upset about that as much as [[EvilCannotComprehendGood he is being disgusted by seeing [=SpongeBob=]'s acts of kindness]].
* TeachHimAnger: Plankton teaches [=SpongeBob=] to be a {{jerkass}}.
* TookALevelInJerkass: [=SpongeBob=] when Plankton teaches him to be aggressive. Of course, this was all Plankton's plan to drive away the beachgoers to build his new restaurant.
* TooKinkyToTorture: When Plankton is being repeatedly stepped on by the returning beachgoers, most of his dialogue consists of "ow" and "no", but one of his interjections is a very aroused, "Ooh!"
* TroubledFetalPosition: Plankton after [=SpongeBob=] foils his plan.
* UsingYouAllAlong: Plankton befriends [=SpongeBob=] and ostensibly teaches him how to be assertive, but in reality is taking advantage of his naivety to get him to drive everyone out of Goo Lagoon so he can pave over it and build the Mega Bucket. When [=SpongeBob=] finds out, he expresses shock that "you used me... for ''land development!''"
* VillainHasAPoint: While Plankton really is using [=SpongeBob=] as an UnwittingPawn for his schemes, he nonetheless makes a valid point when he calls him out on being an ExtremeDoormat. Also doubles as HypocriteHasAPoint because Plankton himself is exploiting [=SpongeBob=]'s generosity.
* {{Wangst}}: InUniverse. Done intentionally by Plankton to con [=SpongeBob=] into joining him by sobbing about having two ice cream cones but only needing one.
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