History YMMV / SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E15TheSecretBoxBandGeeks

* DemographicallyInappropriateHumour: Squidward's comment about the music rental clerk not knowing, "an oboe from an elbow," is a play on the expression, "...doesn't know his ass from his elbow." Downplayed in that Squidward's pun makes just as much sense without knowing the original expression.

** The two flag twirlers [[ItMakesSenseInContext crashing into a blimp and exploding.]] The gag is already pretty extreme on its own, but the way everyone responds [[DueToTheDead with genuine respect]] like it's a legitimate tragedy (complete with one of the trumpeters playing "Taps") while Squidward is [[TroubledFetalPosition curled up on the ground in a pathetic little ball]], pushes it into the stratosphere of funny.

* JerkassWoobie: Squidward. The episode is kicked off by his successful rival Squilliam calling him on the phone to tell Squidward that he's living his dream of having a band play at the Bubble Bowl, [[KickTheDog just to rub it in his face.]] Squidward tries to save face by getting a band together, and his efforts to teach his band meeting with failure at every turn. The whole thing leaves the poor guy in tears as he gives up. Even worse is that Squilliam shows up at the Bubble Bowl so he can watch Squidward fail.

** [[DeadpanSnarker Oh-ho! So now the [X] is going to preach to us!]][[labelnote:Explanation]]Nancy's sarcastic comment on how [=SpongeBob=] is taking the high ground which is used online whenever someone from a [[AcceptableTargets mockable group]], like UsefulNotes/{{furr|yFandom}}ies, makes a morally righteous statement.[[/labelnote]]

** [[DeadpanSnarker Oh-ho! So now the [X] is going to preach to us!]][[labelnote:Explanation]]Nancy's sarcastic comment on how [=SpongeBob=] is taking the high ground which is used online whenever someone from a mockable group, like furries, makes a morally righteous statement.[[/labelnote]]

* CatharsisFactor: One of the major reasons for its enduring popularity, as the increasing levels of [[CosmicPlaything cosmically unjust torture]] Squidward would later suffer during the show's SeasonalRot have made this episode grow more satisfying with age. For the first time in the entire series, Squidward actually ''wins'', his hard work pays off, everyone else pitches in to help him out, and [[SmugSnake Squilliam]] [[BlackComedy suffers an abrupt heart attack.]] This is a major part of the reason many fans consider it an unofficial series finale - it's a good way to send it off.

** Squilliam apparently being so shocked by the band's performance that he ''suffers a heart attack'' on the field and is carried off by paramedics. Then again, [[AssholeVictim he totally had it coming.]]

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Debuting in one of the best-received, if not ''the'' best-received Nicktoons episodes ever would most likely have granted Squilliam this honor by default, but he's gone on to be one of the show's most popular supporting characters, if nothing else then certainly due to the fact that episodes he appears in usually end in [[ThrowTheDogABone victories for Squidward.]]

** [[DeadpanSnarker Oh! So now the X is going to preach to us!]][[labelnote:Explanation]]Nancy's sarcastic comment on how [=SpongeBob=] is taking the high ground which is used online whenever someone from a mockable group, like furries, makes a morally righteous statement.[[/labelnote]]
** [=SpongeBob=]'s "eager face".[[labelnote:Explanation]]Spongebob dancing in his marching band uniform became a popular gif to express enthusiasm towards something.[[/labelnote]]
** It's very common to replace "Sweet Victory" with another song, such as [[Music/JourneyBand "Don't Stop Believin'"]].

!!The Secret Box

!!Band Geeks

** [=SpongeBob=]'s "eager face". [[labelnote:Explanation]]Spongebob dancing in his marching band uniform became a popular gif to express enthusiasm towards something.[[/labelnote]]

* DemographicallyInappropriateHumour: Squidward's comment about the music rental clerk not knowing "an oboe from an elbow" is a play on the expression "...doesn't know his ass from his elbow." Downplayed in that Squidward's pun makes just as much sense without knowing the original expression.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Why the Bubble Bowl takes place ''on land'', watched by a crowd of [[RogerRabbitEffect live-action humans]] is never foreshadowed, explained, or referred to in any way. For those curious the football game was the May 25th, 1984 game between the Memphis Showboats and the Tampa Bay Bandits. Then again, this is ''[[RuleOfFunny SpongeBob]]'' we're talking about here...

!!The Secret Box:

** [=SpongeBob=]'s "secret channel".[[labelnote:Explanation]][=SpongeBob's=] attempt to get Patrick to share the secret box's contents by showing off some of his own secrets includes showing Patrick his "secret channel" on TV -- a static test card. The bit became a popular subject for video edits, replacing the feed on the TV with various other clips.[[/labelnote]]

!!Band Geeks:

!!The Secret Box

!!Band Geeks

** "The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma."[[labelnote:Explanation]]A line from Patrick during justification about why [=SpongeBob=] can't look inside the secret box, which is paired with a thought bubble of live-action footage of a carton of milk tipping over. The inherent silliness of the bit made it a popular subject for video edits, replacing the content of Patrick's thought bubble with various other silly clips.[[/labelnote]]

%%* MemeticMutation:
%%** "The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma." Cue a thought bubble depicting some milk spilling. Explanation?
%%** [=SpongeBob=]'s "secret channel". Explanation?

----
!!"The Secret Box"

* MemeticMolester: Patrick, due to his creepy, I'm-going-to-rape-you face and laugh at the end of the episode.

!!"Band Geeks"

** It's very common to replace "Sweet Victory" with another song, such as [[Music/{{Journey}} "Don't Stop Believin'"]].

* SignatureSong: "Sweet Victory", which was named as the #1 Nicktoon moment of all time in the Nicktoons Superstuffed Weekend during Thanksgiving 2007.

* CatharsisFactor: One of the major reasons for its enduring popularity, as the increasing levels of [[CosmicPlaything cosmically unjust torture]] Squidward suffers in the show’s SeasonalRot only makes this episode grow more satisfying with age. For the first time in the entire series, Squidward actually ''won'', his hard work pays off, everyone else pitches in to help him out, and [[SmugSnake Squilliam]] [[BlackComedy suffers an abrupt heart attack.]] This is a major part of the reason many fans consider it an unofficial series finale - it's a good way to send it off.

* CatharsisFactor: One of the major reasons for its enduring popularity, as the increasing levels of [[CosmicPlaything cosmically unjust torture]] Squidward suffers in the show’s DorkAge only makes this episode grow more satisfying with age. For the first time in the entire series, Squidward actually ''won'', his hard work pays off, everyone else pitches in to help him out, and [[SmugSnake Squilliam]] [[BlackComedy suffers an abrupt heart attack.]] This is a major part of the reason many fans consider it an unofficial series finale - it's a good way to send it off.

* ItWasHisSled: Squidward wins.

* MemeticMutation:
** "The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma." Cue a thought bubble depicting some milk spilling.
** [=SpongeBob=]'s "secret channel".

* WhatAnIdiot:
** When [=SpongeBob=] looked in the secret box and saw the string, he doesn't take it out of the box, nor does he ask Patrick why it's a "secret string" and why it's there.
** Also once he's got the box all to himself while Patrick manages to sleep through all those noises, [=SpongeBob=] could've just checked in the box, put it back, and left the rock in silence, rather than comment on Patrick being a heavy sleeper.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: "And it's SWEET, SWEET, SWEET VICTORY, ''YEAH!!!"''

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: The two flag twirlers flying up into the sky and crashing into a blimp, causing an explosion, is a ''hilariously'' [[BlackComedy dark]] moment of CrossesTheLineTwice. However, a mere ''four days'' after this episode aired, [[UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror two more ballistic, flying objects would crash into something and cause life-ending explosions]].

** The German dub, when [=SpongeBob=] takes over conducting, has him saying the line, "Eins, und zwei, und keine schlägerei!" ("One, and two, and no brawls!"), as though he expects one to happen again. Of course, considering it comes just ''after'' the big brawl, one can't exactly fault him...