YMMV / SpongeBob SquarePants S 9 E 12 "Lost in Bikini Bottom" / "Tutor Sauce"

• Character Rerailment: The characters' Flanderization from the post-movie seasons had been toned down. See below for Rescued from the Scrappy Heap for Mr. Krabs and Pearl.
• Growing the Beard: In this case, re-growing the beard.
• Only the Creator Does It Right: The reason why the post-sequel era has been better received is due to the return of Stephen Hillenburg. In fact, his name is now listed in the opening credits (along with the other producers). This makes a lot of people who didn't liked post-movie era (seasons 4-9A) proud. Not to mention that old writers like Kyle McCulloch (despite only writing for an episode in season 4) and Kaz (who wrote and storyboarded on season 3, including some of the most quotable episodes like "Chocolate with Nuts" and "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V") are back.
• Rescued from the Scrappy Heap:
  • Mr. Krabs and Pearl. In Mr. Krabs' case, he cares for SpongeBob throughout the episode Tutor Sauce. He doesn't really come off as greedy here. Also, when Pearl made a cameo, she didn't came off as bratty at all. This continues for her most of her later appearances, especially Mall Girl Pearl.
  • Patrick in "Lost in Bikini Bottom" is slightly less stupid than he was originally, as his method of shortcuts is calling a pedicab driver to ride him to the Krusty Krab.
• Win Back the Crowd: This is when the show starts to become good again according to most people who weren't fans of the post-movie seasons (or more accurately, the inter-movie seasons).

---