History Recap / SpongebobSquarepantsS2E20SquidOnStrikeSandySpongeBobAndTheWorm

* IdiotBall: [=SpongeBob=] gets hit pretty hard with this in the episode. While naivety was always part of his character, he seems to be completely absent-minded here.

-->'''Mr. Krabs:''' [[BigNo NOOOOOOO!!!]] You'll never get a ''cent'' out of me! ''Never''! (''froths at the mouth'') '''[[LargeHam I'D RATHER THAT WORM COME IN HERE RIGHT NOW, AND EAT YOU ALL ALIIIIIIIIVE!!!]]'''
* SinisterScrapingSound: The sailor man that looks like he is going to volunteer as the worm hunter. In the beginning, he scrapes his hook loudly, then reveals himself, but then [[BaitAndSwitch says needs to use the restroom instead]].
* ShootTheShaggyDog: For everybody ''but'' [=SpongeBob=] and Sandy. They seemingly defeated the worm, but what they don't realize is that not only did the Yellow Fish [[RunningGag have his butt bitten off again]], but the worm has demolished the ''entire'' city of Bikini Bottom at the bottom of the chasm, meaning that even though they get to celebrate, their hard work was AllForNothing. Not to mention... [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking the worm is in pain.]]

* BodyHorror: When When Squidward tries to pull [=SpongeBob=] away from the window he's stuck on, he ends up tearing his entire face off, and you can see his internal organs.

* BrokenRecord: "Nyeh, Squidward? Nyeh, Squidward? Nyeh, Squidward?"

* AnAesop:
** Do not underestimate how dangerous something is because of pride.
** Anything is possible with teamwork. From defeating a worm to pushing the entire city elsewhere...
** Even if you're genuinely skilled at something, you're not guaranteed to know everything, so be willing to listen to others.

* AnAesop:
** Workers should be able to go on strike for your job if your employer is not being fair to you and your co-workers.
** If you mistreat your employees, expect bad things to happen to your business.

* GoThroughMe: [=SpongeBob=]'s last attempt to keep Sandy from confronting the worm. She literally goes right through him with minimal effort, splitting his body into halves like he was a saloon door.

* SuddenDownerEnding: At the end, the Bikini Bottomites think they've pushed Bikini Bottom far enough to evade the Alaskan Bull Worm. They cheer until the worm crushes them and relocated Bikini Bottom. This doesn't really apply to [=SpongeBob=] and Sandy since they were above the cliff before the worm landed, although their town is destroyed.

* StoppedDeadInTheirTracks: Parodied. Sandy declares there is nothing Spongebob can say that will stop her from going after the titular Alaskan Bull Worm. Spongebob mutters some nonsense words, and Sandy pauses, saying "I got to admit, that slowed me down".

* ThatsNoMoon: After investigating some tracks, Sandy deduces that the Alaskan Bull Worm is in a nearby large cave. Sandy spots what she thinks is the worm and fights it. She successfully defeats the creature at the entrance of the cave. However, Spongebob points out that the creature Sandy defeated wasn't the worm, but its tongue. Sandy looks at the cave again and realizes that the cave '''is the worm'''.
-->'''Spongebob:''' That's not the worm, that's his tongue.\\

-->'''Squidward''': Nobody gives a care about the fate of labor as long as they can get their instant gratification.

** [[ZigZaggingTrope Zigzagged]] afterwards, as the townsfolk still try it... and proceed to get crushed by the Alaskan Bull Worm.

-->'''Mr. Krabs''': [[BigNo NOOOOOOO!!!]] You'll never get a ''cent'' out of me! ''Never''! (''froths at the mouth'') '''[[LargeHam I'D RATHER THAT WORM COME IN HERE RIGHT NOW, AND EAT YOU ALL ALIIIIIIIIVE!!!]]'''

-->'''Spongebob:''' That's not the worm, that's his tongue.
-->'''Sandy:''' Ohhhh. This is the ''tongue''. And the whole thing is the worm. ... RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIIIIFE!!!

-> '''Patrick:''' PUUUUUUUUUUUUSH!!

* StatusQuoIsGod: At the end of the episode, Mr. Krabs forces SpongeBob and Squidward to work for him forever after the former destroyed the Krusty Krabs as part of the strike, and also getting their jobs back.

* BullyingADragon: {{Downplayed|Trope}}. Prior to confronting the Alaskan Bull Worm in the episode, Sandy has never seen one before, but Spongebob assures to her that the creature is too dangerous for even her to take on. However, Sandy is confident that she can fight the worm and reclaim her tail(which the worm took). Sandy fights and defeats what she believes is the Alaskan bull worm, only for Spongebob to explain that what Sandy just fought was the worm's ''tongue''. Sandy realizes that the worm ''is'' too dangerous for her to fight as she and Spongebob make a run for it while the worm gives chase. While the worm could simply be chasing after Spongebob and Sandy out of instinctive hunger, it could also be chasing them out of anger due to Sandy hurting its tongue.

** It also applies to Squidward getting [=SpongeBob=] to take the strike seriously. He ends up taking it so seriously, and so ''literally'', he '''demolished'' the building, effectively ruining Squidward's negotiations when Mr. Krabs decides to have them WorkOffTheDebt.

* BullyingADragon: Downplayed. Prior to confronting the Alaskan Bull Worm in the episode, Sandy has never seen one before, but Spongebob assures to her that the creature is too dangerous for even her to take on. However, Sandy is confident that she can fight the worm and reclaim her tail(which the worm took). Sandy fights and defeats what she believes is the Alaskan bull worm, only for Spongebob to explain that what Sandy just fought was the worm's ''tongue''. Sandy realizes that the worm ''is'' too dangerous for her to fight as she and Spongebob make a run for it while the worm gives chase. While the worm could simply be chasing after Spongebob and Sandy out of instinctive hunger, it could also be chasing them out of anger due to Sandy hurting its tongue.

** Patrick and the rest of the Bikini Bottomites manage to move the town to a different location unaware that it's at the bottom of the same cliff the worm falls into. As they cheer they and the town are crushed by the worm.
* ThatsNoMoon: "That's not the worm, that's his tongue."

* SuddenDownerEnding: At the end, the Bikini Bottomites think they've pushed Bikini Bottom far enough to evade the Alaskan Bull Worm. They cheer until the worm crushes them and relocated Bikini Bottom. This doesn't apply to [=SpongeBob=] and Sandy since they were above the cliff before the worm landed.

-->'''Sandy:''' Well, I don't know nothin' about Alaska, but lookie here! ''(pulls out her wallet with photos)'' Back in Texas, I wrangle bulls... and I wrangle worms! Far as I'm concerned, doin' 'em both together just saves rope.

* CrazyEnoughToWork: {{Subverted|Trope}} by Squidward, when discussing Patrick's plan to "take Bikini Bottom and push it somewhere else".
-->'''Squidward:''' That idea might just be crazy enough... ''[[SuddenlyShouting TO GET US ALL KILLED!]]''
** The town still try it... and proceed to get crushed by the Alaskan Bull Worm.

* AmbiguousEnding: Is the scene where Spongebob and Squidward are still working in the Krusty Krab as skeletons what actually happened, or just a subtle ImagineSpot by Squidward? Notably, the camera pans in on Squidward's eyes as the realization sets in, in a very similar manner to the similar ImagineSpot from previously in the episode where he imagines him and Spongebob striking as elderly versions of themselves, although there's no transition this time. Then again, an eternity is not actually a measurement of time, so who's to say what's happening.
* AndIMustScream: At the end of the episode, [=SpongeBob=] and Squidward are literally forced to work for Mr. Krabs forever, to the point where they are reduced to skeletons, while still working their jobs. [=SpongeBob=] doesn't seem to mind though, and in fact views this as [[MarriedToTheJob the best possible outcome.]]

* BrickJoke: Spongebob is willing to go on strike with Squidward, even if it takes FOREVER (though the same couldn't be said vice versa). By the end of this episode, they are re-hired in order to work off the damages to the restaurant, even if it takes FOREVER!

* ComicalOverreacting: What triggers the entire plot of the episode is that Mr. Krabs sees his profits have dropped by a measly three dollars from the previous month and decides to bill Spongebob and Squidward for, what he considers goofing off, basically whatever they're doing when not providing customer service.

* DidNotThinkThisThrough: Squidward begins to realize that he doesn't want to be stuck with Spongebob going on strike, but he forgets that he got Spongebob fired along with him. Krabs later re-hires both of them. In short, Squidward and Spongebob would ''still'' be together no matter what happens.
* ElderlyFutureFantasy: Squidward’s nightmare sees himself and Spongebob still on strike, even well into their old age.

* GaleForceSound: When Squidward yells at Spongebob in his megaphone, "You are a terrible striker!", it's enough to make Spongebob's skin temporarily fly off him.

* IdiotBall: [=Spongebob=] gets hit pretty hard with this in the episode. While naivety was always part of his character, he seems to be completely absent-minded here.

** Spongebob is a little too excited about going on strike, only to learn that he would get fired for making demands to his boss.

* SuddenDownerEnding: [=SpongeBob=] and Squidward get their jobs back. Unfortunately, because the former totaled the restaurant, they end up working for Mr. Krabs ''forever.'' Granted, this is only a DownerEnding for Squidward; [=SpongeBob=] is overjoyed.

* TemptingFate: Squidward brings Spongebob along for his protest, and as a result, Spongebob takes the words in Squidward's speech to the people of Bikini Bottom to heart and, later that night, destroys the Krusty Krab just as Squidward and Mr. Krabs were negotiating business terms, and as a result, Mr. Krabs disregards the negotiations and puts Squidward and Spongebob to work forever, but Spongebob doesn't care, as he's just happy to have his job back.

** When [=SpongeBob=] destroys the Krusty Krab, Mr Krabs angrily declares that in order to pay off the damages, [=SpongeBob=] and Squidward will be working there forever. The ending then jumps "one eternity later" to show the two of them reduced to skeletons yet still working at the Krusty Krab.

* AcquiredSituationalNarcissism: Being TheAce of Bikini Bottom has made Sandy rather overconfident, insisting she has the Bull Worm covered in spite of [=SpongeBob's=] warnings.

* BreakTheHaughty: Sandy goes to take out the Alaskan Bull Worm for the sake of the town and adamantly refuses to listen to [=SpongeBob's=] warnings about how big and monstrous the thing is, convinced she's "too Texas-tough" and can easily handle the worm. In the end, she comes across the worm in a cave and apparently beats it... only to discover that what she fought was actually the worm's tongue and that the entire cave itself was the worm. [=SpongeBob=] and the Bikini Bottomites were ''not'' exaggerating over how big and monstrous it is, and when she finds out, all of her bravado fades in an instant.

* MassOhCrap: Spongebob panics when he realizes the worm is approaching Bikini Bottom. When he warns the townsfolk, everyone except Sandy starts screaming and panicking too. Their fear of the worm is more than justified.

* ProducePelting: When Mr. Krabs tells the panicking people of Bikini Bottom that they should buy a Krabby patty, the crowd responds by pelting him with ketchup and mustard bottles.

** After getting on top of the worm by using [=SpongeBob's=] paper clip and piece of string as a grappling hook, Sandy states to [=SpongeBob=] that they'll be safe now. Cue the worm driving off a cliff.

** The "cave" that Sandy finds the "worm" (actually his tongue) in is just the worm's mouth that it's holding open. The technical name for the entrance to a cave is "mouth."
* WhamLine: "That's not the worm, that's its tongue."

** The old sailor scratching a window to get the attention of the townspeople while they discuss what to do about the beast spoofs Shaw's introduction in ''Film/{{Jaws}}''. Then, Sandy appears telling the townspeople that she'll catch the beast, just as Shaw does.

* FailedASpotCheck: Sandy doesn't notice that she's literally walking into the worm's mouth until the [[BehindTheBlack the camera pans up to reveal its eyes and teeth.]]
* FauxHorrific: Mr. Krabs really hams it up when Sandy brings up payment for getting rid of the worm which he desperately defends his money and cash register foaming at the mouth and would rather watch everyone die then lose a single cent. This of course just leaves everyone staring in awkward silence with Sandy laughing saying she was just joking about payment. And Mr. Krabs in his relief nervously chuckles and then breaks down in tears after being traumatized about his money supposedly being on the line.

* IgnoredExpert: Spongebob may be the only person who actually saw the worm and could identify it afterward. Sandy completely fails to heed his advice on its size and power.

* BreakTheHaughty: Sandy goes to take out the Alaskan Bull Worm for the sake of the town and adamantly refuses to listen to [=SpongeBob's=] warnings about how big and monstrous the thing is, convinced she's "too Texas-tough" and can easily handle the worm. In the end, she comes across the worm in a cave and apparently beats it... only to discover that what she fought was actually the worm's tongue and that the entire cave itself was the worm. [=SpongeBob=] and the Bikini Bottomites were ''not'' exaggerating over how big and monstrous it is and when she finds out all of her bravado fades in an instant.
* BrickJoke: Patrick at one point recommends that the townspeople push Bikini Bottom somewhere else to avoid the worm. At the very end, we see that they've done that...only to get crushed by the worm.

* BreakTheHaughty: Sandy goes to take out the Alaskan Bull Worm for the sake of the town and adamantly refuses to listen to [=SpongeBob's=] warnings about how big and monstrous the thing is, convinced she's "too Texas-tough" and can easily handle the worm. In the end, she comes across the worm in a cave and apparently beats it...only to discover that what she fought was actually the worm's tongue and that the entire cave itself was the worm. [=SpongeBob=] and the Bikini Bottomites were ''not'' exaggerating over how big and monstrous it is and when she finds out all of her bravado fades in an instant.

-->'''Sandy:''' Ohhhhhhh... This is the tongue... and the whole... thing is the... [[OhCrap worm.]] ''({{beat}})'' '''''[[SuddenlyShouting RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIIIIFE!!!!!!]]'''''