“The Cent of Money” from SpongeBob SquarePants Season 7 is often cited as a low point, particularly for how it portrays Mr. Krabs and his insatiable greed for money. For fans tracking Money Spongebob episodes, this one stands out, but unfortunately, not for positive reasons. This episode delves into Krabs’ obsession with wealth, but in a way that many viewers found unsettling and out of character, especially concerning his treatment of Gary. Let’s break down why “The Cent of Money” struggles to resonate and ultimately falls short.
The episode begins innocently enough. SpongeBob and Gary are heading to the parking lot when they encounter Mr. Krabs. The peculiar plot device is quickly introduced: Gary’s shell inexplicably starts emitting cents. This bizarre phenomenon immediately triggers Krabs’ avarice, setting the stage for his descent into obsessive money-grabbing.
The narrative quickly spirals into a series of escalating attempts by Krabs to exploit Gary’s newfound ability to produce coins. In the Krusty Krab, Krabs’ behavior becomes increasingly erratic and suspicious. He’s clearly preoccupied with collecting cents, even while on duty. When SpongeBob arrives, Krabs resorts to absurd distractions, assigning SpongeBob pointless tasks like painting the Krusty Krab with a toothbrush or organizing wall rivets. These scenes highlight Krabs’ manipulative nature as he prioritizes money over his responsibilities and even his employee’s well-being.
Krabs’ pursuit of money then takes him to various locations – Goo Lagoon, the laundromat, and even an arcade. This montage sequence is where the episode’s most criticized element emerges: the abuse of Gary. To keep Gary producing cents, Krabs subjects him to discomfort and neglect, pushing the boundaries of his normally miserly but not outright cruel persona. Viewers found this portrayal particularly jarring and unpleasant.
The climax arrives when SpongeBob, having finished his ridiculous tasks, finally seeks out Krabs. He encounters a disgruntled laundry patron who points him towards Krabs’ current location. SpongeBob finds Krabs disguised in a ridiculous pregnant woman costume, still fixated on collecting cents at an arcade. Despite the disguise being unconvincing, the police inexplicably ignore Krabs’ blatant theft. SpongeBob confronts Krabs, initially concerned for Gary, but is quickly distracted by the sheer volume of cents being produced.
The resolution comes with a sudden and convenient plot twist. Gary’s shell starts vibrating intensely, creating a massive magnetic force that attracts all the cents. Panic ensues as everyone flees the area. In a fleeting moment of clarity, Krabs releases Gary, but immediately dives headfirst into the wave of money, only to find himself trapped.
The episode concludes with a rather anticlimactic explanation: a doctor reveals that Gary swallowed a fridge magnet, causing the cent-emitting phenomenon and Krabs’ chaotic behavior. Krabs is left to pay for the damages, amounting to a hefty $8,279.
Results and Review:
Character analysis reveals a significant misstep in Krabs’ portrayal. His greed, typically a comedic flaw, morphs into outright cruelty and neglect towards Gary, making him deeply unsympathetic. SpongeBob, while present, is largely relegated to a secondary role, reacting to Krabs’ actions rather than driving the plot. Gary, the victim of Krabs’ money obsession, elicits sympathy but is ultimately passive.
“The Cent of Money” suffers from a lack of humor and an uncomfortable storyline centered around animal abuse for comedic effect. The plot is convoluted, relying on bizarre and weakly explained events like the magnet and cent-emitting shell. The episode’s attempt to explore Krabs’ greed falls flat, instead presenting a caricature that alienates viewers.
Overall:
“The Cent of Money” is a misfire. While attempting to explore Mr. Krabs’ defining characteristic – his love of money – it does so in a way that is neither funny nor insightful. The episode is marred by an uncharacteristic portrayal of Krabs, a nonsensical plot, and the uncomfortable mistreatment of Gary. For those interested in money SpongeBob themes, this episode serves as a cautionary tale of how greed can be depicted poorly, earning a low rating and solidifying its place as one of the less favored episodes in Season 7.
